Even though the team record is almost irrelevant when talking about rookie ball, the Gulf Coast Yankees still had a strong season judging by even the harshest standards. Behind the leadership of manager Ken Dominguez, the Yankees won the Northern Division with a 38-20 record, seven games ahead of the Detroit Tigers Gulf Coast entry. Although the season ended on a down note when the Mets took them 1-0 in a one-game playoff, the Yankees need not hang their heads about failing to repeat their 1996 championship. Not only did they once again produce a fine record, but Dominguez and his staff also helped develop some of the more talented prospects in baseball.
Rookie ball historically finds most players having trouble adjusting to the rigors of pro ball (i.e. using wooden bats), but an unusually large amount of Yankees didnΓÇÖt have to go through such growing pains.
In addition to boasting of the talents of 16-year-old phenom Jackson Melian, who lived up to his advanced billing, the Yankees also received impressive performances from outfielders Marcus Thames, John Rodriguez and Dion Washington. Thames led the Yankees in batting average (.344), runs (51), home runs (seven) and RBI (36, tied with Melian) while Washington also showed he had a strong all-around game. Meanwhile, Bronx native Rodriguez furthered his dream of one day playing at Yankee Stadium by batting above .307 with three homers and 23 RBI.
On the mound, there was no shortage of talented arms as right-handers Jeremy Blevins (5-3, 2.43 ERA), Brian Reith (4-2, 2.86) and Geraldo Padua (8-0, 2.92) were very impressive.
