It's Go Time

Yesterday I went to a Staten Island Yankees game. My original plan was focus more on the Mahoning Valley Scrappers (CLE affiliate) but, uh, my plans changed real quick.

Autographs

Before we get to the autographs let's just get straight to the point. The 2019 Staten Island Yankees team sets came out. IN EARLY AUGUST! I was blindsided by this development. Obviously this means the chase is on.

The first autograph I got from this set was from Isaiah Pasteur. I blogged about Pasteur a little while ago when I got his Charleston card signed. Not much has changed. He's still kind of stuck in a fourth outfield role now that Pat DeMarco is up in Staten Island. We'll see what happens with him long term. Hope things get better for his playing time situation though (hopefully not at the expense of someone else though).

My second autograph is courtesy of Jacob Sanford. Sanford's a guy I've wanted an autograph of for a while because before a few other notable 2019 draftees came by, Sanford was the most notable prospect on the SI Yankees. He was the Yankees' third round draft pick and so far he's looked to be very capable and solid. He's got power and enough potential to make it easy to see him as an everyday outfielder going forward.

My third autograph is courtesy of Ezequiel Duran, one of my personal favorites. In a lineup that's been decimated by promotions and injuries, Duran's remained as one of the few bright spots for the 2019 Staten Island Yankees. He's still in sleeper territory but I think a big year in Charleston next year could open A LOT of eyes. His development thus far has been slow but steady.

My fourth autograph is courtesy of Juan De Leon. De Leon was part of the big 2014 International Free Agent haul. While that IFA class has not lived up to what we all hoped it would amount to, De Leon represents part of the late bloomers. The guys who are just starting to find a groove and have one last chance to show what they've got. So far De Leon's taken his chances and run with him. Hope he can make up for lost time quickly.

My fifth autograph is courtesy of Alfredo Garcia. Those of you who are either old or dorks (or both) will likely associate that name with a film where the character Alfredo Garcia in the title is dead. For the rest of us Garcia is the newest/only trade acquisition the Yankees made this past trade deadline. Garcia came over from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for Joe Harvey in a strict "roster spot saving" maneuver. Garcia is a southpaw who seems rather nice.

My sixth autograph is courtesy of Marcus Evey. Evey was the Yankees' 20th rounder in the 2018 MLB Player Draft. Armed with a fastball, curveball and slider, he's spent all of his time in the Yankees' bullpen this season. He's done well. Even in the outings he's had where he's had to eat up more than just an inning.

My seventh autograph is courtesy of Daniel Ramos. Ramos was signed by the Yankees as a non-drafted international free agent back in 2013. The Dominican righty looked to be a big force in the Charleston bullpen in 2018 before injuries slowed him down and pretty much made 2018 a lost year. Hopefully he's shown the FO that he's made big strides this year coming back from injuries.

My eighth autograph is courtesy of Justin Wilson. Wilson was the Yankees' 23rd rounder in the 2018 MLB Player Draft. Despite that low-ish round he was seen as an interesting arm coming out of Vanderbilt. The righthander from Tennessee's track record in college was a bit empty due to his collegiate career being derailed by Tommy John surgery, but hopefully he can build up a substantive and impressive track record with the Yankees going forward.

My ninth autograph is courtesy of Wellington Diaz. Diaz is back in the rotation after being shuffled about to and from the bullpen after an influx of starters descended upon the Yankees' roster. The guy is capable of getting a ton of K's, but is also liable to give up a few walks. Should be interesting to see his development as he goes to the higher levels.

My 10th autograph is courtesy of Austin Gardner. Gardner was the Yankees' ninth rounder in the 2017 MLB Player Draft. In college he was a "lots of K's, few walks" type of reliever and that's remained the same in the pros. He's strictly a reliever but once he gets going I can easily see him going from Charleston to Trenton in one single year.

My 11th autograph is courtesy of Bryan Blanton. Blanton was the Yankees' 21st rounder in the 2017 MLB Player Draft. He also fits the bill of a RHRP who throws pretty hard and gets lots of K's.

My 12th autograph is courtesy of Barrett Loseke. Loseke was the Yankees' 17st rounder in the 2018 MLB Player Draft. Kind of the same deal. RHRP with gas and gets lots of K's.

My 13th autograph is courtesy of T.J. Sikkema. Sikkema was the Yankees' 1st round (or more like the sandwiched between the 1st and 2nd round) pick. Sikkema was drafted using the pick the Yankees got from the Cincinnati Reds in the Sonny Gray deal. Sikkema is armed with a low 90's fastball, a slider and a changeup and projects to be anywhere between a back-of-the-rotation starter and a lefty specialist in the pen. Should be interesting to see his development. I know some folks who are really high on Sikkema.

My 14th and last autograph yesterday was courtesy of David Adams. Adams was the Yankees' third rounder from the 2008 MLB Player Draft. More importantly he's the manager for the Yankees this year. He kinda makes me wonder how many of the guys I really like but just might not cut it to be MLB regulars will one day end up in a coaching capacity.

And those were my autographs for yesterday. Yes 14. That seems like a lot, but considering how my careeer(blarg) best is somewhere in the 20's, that's nothing. Anyway, now begins plotting to get the rest done as well as the ones who've already been promoted/demoted to Charleston/Pulaski via TTM.

The Game

The game itself was rather enjoyable. It was a brisk 2 hour and 46 minute (UNDER 3 HOURS!) game and boy did I enjoy it. For one thing the Scrappers sent out Ethan Hankins. Hankins was the Clevelands' first rounder in 2018 and someone I got an autograph of last month. Seeing him in action was great. Seeing him take on faves like Duran and Sanford was even sweeter. Hankins went about three innings then the bullpen took over. Coincidentally after that Duran started going and had two hits (one of which was a double). In all the Yankees won 3-2 after solid pitching and solid hitting saved the day (BOX). Nice to see the team win a game for once rather than the opposite.

Anything Else?

In a previous game I went to, one of the planned giveaways was a Scooter bobblehead promoting fitness. Unfortunately the shipment never arrived in time for that so those of us that would've gotten one got vouchers instead. Yesterday I redeemed the voucher and got the bobblehead.

Love it. Scooter's so cute.

And that was my latest SIY game. I am tired. I am writing this at 1:45 AM (EST) on August 3rd. But I am triumphant. Now to scan the cards and get this shit ready to be published by my insane 6:30 AM EST deadline. Only to see that this post'll only get like seven views by 11 AM because people have better shit to do on the weekends.

Big thanks to the players who signed for me and as always thank you (the readers) for stopping by :).

Take care.

2019 IP Auto Count: 42