Talent in Scranton & Somerset
Though I don t comment all that often, I make a point to read just about every article on PSA each day, along with the comments. One frequently heard lament from both sources is that all of the Yankees (good) prospects are in the lower levels of the minor leagues . Yet, each day when I click on the minor league recaps, I come away encouraged by the farm system on the whole. While it may be true that the lower levels are stocked (and that s a great thing!), I am here to put a positive spin on the rosters and talent at AA Somerset and AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
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Baseball is cruel to all of its children, but it’s particularly harsh on relievers. Even with the trend towards shorter appearances, it’s starters who hog the glory. They’re the ones who rack up the big numbers, most of the awards and most of the money. They’re the ones with the shots at perfect games and no-hitters. Ok, so sometimes there are
combined no-hitters, but who remembers that Kirk Saarloos threw an inning and a third of a Houston Astros no-hitter? Not even his family, I bet.
Relievers get saves and holds, but the save is so contrived that one was recorded in a game won by 27 runs, and I think everyone knows the only people who pay attention to holds are the folks who care way too much about fantasy baseball. Besides, both saves and holds are too common to be properly exciting. What’s the pinnacle of relieverism? What’s the most incredible thing a reliever could do in a single game?