In the our Stealth Bomber series, we talk to players in the farm system who aren't yet on the New York radar, but hope one day to be so.

Dante Bichette Jr was the Yankees' top pick in the 2011 draft (51st overall). In his debut campaign, he hit .342/.446/.505, led the Gulf Coast Yankees to a championship, and picked up the league's MVP award. NoMaas' Sensei John Kreese sat down in the inferno and talked to the Florida product about his first year in professional baseball, his father's words of wisdom, his approach to hitting, and more.

Sensei John Kreese: So how long have you been in Tampa (working out)?

Dante Bichette Jr: Well, I live in Orlando, but I've been in Tampa since the 17th [January].

SJK: Was it mandatory that you be there so early?

DB: I'm not sure if it was mandatory or not, but they gave me the option, so I definitely wanted to take advantage of that.

SJK: Putting in work and making a good impression...

DB: Of course.

SJK: So what types of things are you working on now?

DB: Right now we're in rotations -- hitting in the cages and taking ground balls. We're getting our arms in shape too.

SJK: Any weight training?

DB: Yes, we work out 4 days a week with a day in-between each, and we also do conditioning in the morning.

SJK: How did your offseason go?

DB: Offseason was great. I went to Instructs when the season was over. I was in the Dominican Republic, that was a lot of fun. Then I went home and took a few weeks off. I went on a cruise and then got back into hitting. I feel great now. I think I did it right.

SJK: You had a killer year last season. You won the Gulf Coast championship. You were the MVP of the league. What are you going to do for an encore?

DB: I want to be more consistent with my approach and learn how to make adjustments quicker. Instead of making an adjustment after a game and realize I was messing something up, it would be a lot better if I could make the adjustment during a game or an at-bat.

SJK: When we spoke with Tyler, he said he didn't know what team he would be playing with to start the season, because the Yankees typically don't let players know until Spring Training is nearly over. Do you have any idea where you're going?

DB: I'm not really sure. They make that decision at the end of Spring Training.

SJK: Lots of guys put up big stats on your team last season. What was it about your team that enabled you to put up these huge numbers?

DB: Our Gulf Coast team was crazy. It was one of the better hitting teams I've played on. I don't think the hitters are ahead of the pitchers either. I actually think the pitchers are further along than the most of the hitters in the league. Our team was gifted. Everybody could hit. Everybody could hit for power. We all got along really well too, and when that happens, everyone gets a little better.

SJK: Any guys really stand out to you?

DB: Yeah, Tyler is one of the first guys I met when I got there, and he helped me get accustomed to pro ball. He raked obviously and got moved up. Isaias Tejeda and Jose Rosario stood out big-time. Ravel Santana went crazy. He's a great hitter as well.

SJK: Your dad was a longtime big leaguer. You grew up around the game. Is the minor league experience different at all from what you expected?

DB: I grew up when my dad was in the big leagues, and that's a lot different from the minor leagues. I thought the minors would be a lot of fun, and it turned out to be a lot of fun. It's a great time and I'm enjoying the grind. I'm enjoying getting to know the guys, and this organization has a lot of great people in it, which is awesome.

SJK: After you were drafted, did the Yankees change anything about your swing? Did they make any adjustments?

DB: Not at all. The Yankees have this rule where they are not allowed to touch you for 100 or 90 days, something like that. My hitting coach Edwar Gonzalez, he wasn't allowed to say anything, but I was trying to pick his brain within the first week. He didn't change anything in my swing though. So no adjustments. The big thing is getting adjusted to the pitching. It's a lot different in pro ball than in high school, competition and speed of the game.

SJK: You played SS in high school?

DB: Yes.

SJK: How's 3B going, and is there any talk of trying out other positions?

DB: That was up in the air after I got drafted, but the coaches have said I've improved a lot. I'm hoping to keep improving and keep my spot at third. If I end up in the outfield, that's fine. That's where my dad played, so that would be a lot of fun.

SJK: Only being 19 years old, how does it feel when keyboard heroes talk about your limitations or say "he'll end up at this position or that position?"

DB: There's one thing my dad taught about handling things like that -- you never believe how bad anybody says you are, and you never believe how good anybody says you are. You just have to stay within yourself and know what you can do.

I actually got a little taste of that when I played in the Little League World Series as a 12-year old. People say good things. People say bad things.

SJK: I actually read about that. During the Little League World Series, there was this story on ESPN about you and Harold Reynolds. You wanted to sleep in or something, instead of doing an interview?

DB: Yeah, it was something early in the morning on a show called Cold Pizza. I slept in and I got some heat for that. It was not meant in a bad intention at all. Our family is pretty close with Harold Reynolds. My parents probably talk to him every other day. I didn't even think anything of it.

SJK: Amazing, under the microscope when you're 12. So, your family is pretty tight with Joe Girardi, right?

DB: Yeah, I call him "Uncle Joe." My dad and him bonded while they were on the Rockies.

SJK: Do you talk to Joe a lot?

DB: I haven't talked to him much this year and only a couple times last year. He left a message for my dad with "congratulations" after the draft. I haven't talked to him too much, I know he's a busy guy, so I try to leave him alone.

SJK: How would you describe your approach as a hitter?

DB: Well, I need to learn to make adjustments quicker. I think I have a decent eye. And if I can use the bat speed that God gave me, it should result in some good hitting.

SJK: Are you looking to work the count when you go to the plate?

DB: No, very rarely do I go up there and say "I'm taking this first pitch." Normally, I've got a plan on every pitcher. I watch them warm up and how they pitch to guys before me. I'll take that plan into the at-bat and stick to it.

SJK: Did you ever get to hit in Coors when you were a little kid?

DB: Maybe on Family Day, but I don't remember. I do remember hitting at Fenway Park though. That was a blast. My dad took me out there before a game and I hit a whole bucket of balls, which was pretty awesome.

SJK: Maybe one day you'll be back there, knocking them up against the Monster.

DB: Maybe, yeah.

SJK: Well, that's about it, Dante. We appreciate it and we're definitely looking forward to watching you this year. Best of luck, brotha.

DB: Alright, thank you very much.

Many thanks to Dante for talking with NoMaas. This is two interviews in a row where we were left very impressed by the attitude of these young players. Dante was poised, well-spoken, and already possesses such a professional view of the game. He's a great kid with a superb head on his shoulders.

In the our Stealth Bomber series, we talk to players in the farm system who aren't yet on the New York radar, but hope one day to be so.

After being drafted by the Yankees in the 13th round of the 2010 draft, Tyler Austin was hit by a pitch that broke his wrist, forcing the Georgia product to sit out the rest of the Rookie League campaign after only two games. He returned in 2011 to absolutely slay opposing pitchers, hitting a combined .354/.418/.579 between the Gulf Coast and Staten Island clubs. At Staten Island, he registered the first 6-hit game in the NY-Penn League since 2007, which earned him a NoMaas MLPW Award. Sensei John Kreese sat down with the 20-year old to talk about his debut season and his outlook for 2012.

Sensei John Kreese: Let's start with last season. You straight killed it at the plate. What worked and why was it so easy for you?

Tyler Austin: I put in a lot work before and after games, during practice - there was an approach I wanted to carry with me into the game, taking the same swing from batting practice into the game. I didn't want to rush anything, just stay relaxed.

SJK: At each level, both at Gulf Coast and Staten Island, you were basically the best hitter on each of those teams. That's really impressive considering some of the names on those clubs, including a bunch of 1st and 2nd rounders. Were there other teammates that impressed you or stood out from your perspective?

TA: Yeah definitely - Cito Culver, Ben Gamel, Mason [Williams], Dante [Bichette Jr], Branden Pinder -- I love watching all those guys play. Everybody plays hard. But those guys really stand out to me. Those guys are unreal.

SJK: How's the wrist?

TA: It's perfectly fine. No problems at all whatsoever.

SJK: How would describe the pitching at the lower levels? Do you feel like the hitters are more advanced?

TA: I don't think there's any advantages either way. The pitchers are just as good. Velocity is still the same. Obviously, when you move higher, the pitchers can spot better, throw more breaking pitches for strikes - but I don't think there's an advantage, honestly.

SJK: What did your offseason look like?

TA: Just stayed in the gym, stayed in the cages - staying in shape and keeping the swing I had during the season. Other than that, I went to few concerts, hung out with my girlfriend...

SJK: So in other words, you're not sending girls any signed baseballs like Derek Jeter does?

TA: HAHA. No, there's none of that. I had a few guys tell me about that story. I couldn't believe it. He's actually been down here [in Tampa] lately hitting and taking groundballs, stuff like that.

SJK: So have you met Jeter?

TA: No, I've never gone up and talked to him, or anything like that. He's always busy every time I see him. I don't want to interrupt his sessions.

SJK: Have you met anyone on the big club or in the front office?

TA: Andruw Jones, Joba Chamberlain...just a few guys, not too many.

SJK: Have you met Cashman yet?

TA: I have not.

SJK: Have you received word yet that you're starting the year in Charleston (Low-A)?

TA: I haven't heard anything yet, none of us really have. We probably won't hear until one or two days before we leave.

SJK: Really? They don't tell you where you're going until Spring Training is just about over?

TA: Yeah, that's how it was last year.

SJK: Let's back up a bit, you were a catcher in high school and the Yankees squashed that idea from the get-go. How soon after you were drafted did you realize the Yankees wanted to change your position?

TA: Well, they drafted me as an outfielder, so I knew the catching thing would probably be out the window. I didn't mind it. I had a feeling that it would be gone with any team that took me.

SJK: Why's that?

TA: Just because I hadn't caught that long. I played other positions in high school a little bit. I just figured I wouldn't catch after I was drafted.

SJK: You played 1B and 3B last season. Do you have a preference?

TA: Not really, either one I'm comfortable with. But now, I'm back in the OF a little bit, so it's probably going to be left field, right field, third, first...mixed all the way up this year.

SJK: What do you think you need to work on defensively?

TA: Every aspect of it, there's plenty of room for improvement.

SJK: What do your strengths are as a hitter?

TA: I try to put the ball the other way. It helps me make contact better and helps me stay through the ball a lot longer than most people would.

SJK: What about working a pitch count and taking a walk?

TA: I feel like I'm getting better at that. I'll definitely take a walk.

SJK: How about those stolen bases? You didn't get caught once (18 for 18).

TA: I take a good lead and have a good idea of the count to go in, especially with the guys hitting behind me this past year. I knew they would see the majority of the breaking balls. I picked a count and just went when I could.

SJK: Alright Tyler, that's all I got. We appreciate it, had a good time interviewing you. Best of luck this season and hopefully we can talk again.

TA: Yes, sir. Sounds great.

Many thanks to Tyler for talking to us. He is definitely one of the most personable people we've interviewed on NoMaas. He was really fun to talk with and has a great attitude. Make sure to follow him during the season.

Since the new CBA was announced, many people have speculated what the changes mean for the amateur draft and international free agent market. Instead of hypothesizing about how the Yankees will be affected, we went straight to the man who runs the club's player development operation. NoMaas' Sensei John Kreese sat down with the Bombers' Senior VP of Baseball Operations, Mark Newman, to discuss how the labor deal changes the way the Yankees acquire amateur talent.

Sensei John Kreese: In general terms, what is your opinion on the new Collective Bargaining Agreement and how it relates to acquiring amateur talent?

Mark Newman: By definition, it wasn't designed to help the Yankees. It actually tilts the balance to an uphill position for us, both domestically and internationally. In the past, under the old draft and international system, we designed ways to compete in talent acquisition. Quite a few of those ways have been eradicated.

SJK: Many baseball pundits would actually disagree with what you just said. The general opinion is that this hurts small market teams more than big market teams.

MN: No, no. It could hurt a small market team that wins, like Tampa -- when it comes to where they select in the draft and their ability to acquire extra draft picks. We haven't had any extra draft picks because we haven't offered arbitration to the free agents who've left. If you look at the amount of extra draft picks we've had over the past five years, we're at the bottom.

SJK: Do you think that's a function of the salaries the Yankees pay and the risk that players will actually accept arbitration?

MN: Yeah, yeah, that's part of it. That happened with Bobby Abreu. He signed for $5 million with Anaheim when he went out there, I believe it was. What he could have received with arbitration with us was substantially above that. The arbitration number sometimes has nothing to do with market value.

SJK: Back to this big market-small market argument again, if you look at spending in drafts, the small market teams dish out the most money. Granted, some of this is due to landing the top picks of the draft which demand higher bonuses, but they still have gone over-slot in other rounds. The argument is that the new rules will limit the aggressiveness of small-market teams who can't compete with teams like the Yankees and Red Sox when it comes to free agency.

MN: Well, those teams are still going to draft high. They will have more money allocated to them to pay. We've been declawed. We don't have the ability to pay over-slot now. Our ability to respond creatively to the landscape has been reduced.

SJK: Ok, well, if you've been declawed and have less money to spend, what will need to change and/or improve in regards to your strategy?

MN: The strategy is the same -- get the best players -- but, our tactics will have to change. We have to come up with different ways to develop players. All teams that are in similar situations to the Yankees will have to come up with new ways to remain competitive [in the draft] in this new environment. Those ways will be proprietary. We're not going to advertise those.

SJK: So how does it work? You will be assigned a signing bonus pool for the first 10 rounds of the draft, and each pick will have some type of defined value?

MN: Correct.

SJK: Do you have to offer the defined value to your pick, or somewhere in that range?

MN: No, my understanding is that you don't. If you don't sign the pick though, you lose the money allocated to that pick. This stuff is hot off the press. Not everything has been committed to writing, and I don't think they want everything committed to writing yet. They want to maintain flexibility, so if they see something they don't like, they can fix it.

SJK: Do you think these new rules essentially eliminate "signability" cases?

MN: Certainly. I think they'll severely limit the amount of players who fall in the draft. At the same time, we'll have a better understanding of all this in two years. There's a whole bunch of TBD [to be determined]. There will be a lot of trial and error in how we respond to the new environment. Everybody will try to game the system. Nothing wrong with that, that's competition.

SJK: Do you think the draft will start to look more like the NBA and NFL drafts, where the perceived talent level decreases with each pick?

MN: Yes, the perceived talent level will more closely follow the order of the draft. Now, of course, the key is that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and nowhere is that more true than in baseball. There will always be opportunity to evaluate more accurately. Our guys aren't obviously going right to the NFL and NBA. In baseball, there is more room for projection and more room for error.

SJK: One of the arguments against the new rules is that 2-sport stars will give more consideration to pursuing the other sport.

MN: Yeah, I heard that too, but how many of those kids actually exist? The Bubba Starlings of the world are few and far between. If someone has the choice between playing for Kansas City or going to Nebraska, they're still going to get a boatload from Kansas City if they're a high pick.

SJK: Any idea what your draft pool amount will be at this point?

MN: It looks to be around $4.5 million.

SJK: And how does that compare to what you typically spend?

MN: We've spent mid-6s [million] the last couple years. We're middle of the pack -- 16th each of the last two years.

SJK: You see, though, that supports the argument that small market teams tend to be the biggest spenders.

MN: Well last year, it was Pittsburgh, Washington, Kansas City, Arizona, Seattle, Chicago Cubs, San Diego, Toronto, Boston, and Baltimore -- they all spent above $10 million. Some of this small-market stuff is overstated. Toronto is not a small-market. Washington and Chicago are not small markets. The language needs to be more precise with some of this stuff.

SJK: Why is it that the Yankees have been middle of the pack when it comes to spending on the draft? Do you find more bang for the buck on the international markets?

MN: We've been higher relative to the competition on the international market. Internationally, we were 7th last year. The year before we were 9th. Only one year in the last seven years have we been #1 internationally. We haven't been at the top there either.

SJK: Is that a function of what's been allocated to pay for major league talent?

MN: No, it's the way we've evaluated the market. There's a crazy exuberance in the international market sometimes -- irrational exuberance like Greenspan said. Someone gets into the market that hasn't been in it very heavily, and you see kids go for $4-5 million. For instance, one year we signed Jose Tabata. He was the #1 guy on our list and was the highest-paid international player at $550,000, I think we paid. He got off to a good start, and everyone was like "Oh yeah!", and the next year the Mets signed Fernando Martinez for something around $1.3 million. The highest we ever paid for a pitcher internationally was $800,000 and that was for Arodys Vizcaino [now with Braves]. Now, four years later, we have people telling me I should spend $4 million down there and that's just crazy.

SJK: Well, every year, you'll likely have one of the lowest spending pools for international free agents.

MN: It's going to be a challenge. The way we look at it, there's no point in moaning and groaning about the rules. We have to evaluate better, we have to do everything better. We've always been at a disadvantage in the draft. Through some strategic planning, we were able to make some headway. That's going to be hard now. We're all competitive people. We all think we're smarter than we are, and we'll try to figure something out.

SJK: Are your operations with Latin academies affected at all by these changes?

MN: No, we're still intent on being big players internationally.

SJK: Well Mark, that's all I got. Always fascinating and good to talk with you.

MN: Alright, see ya.

Many thanks to Mark for providing us with his insight and giving NoMaas this direct access to the Yankees.

Sensei John Kreese: Compared to the success of last season, how would you rate the performance of the overall system so far this year?

Mark Newman: I don't really think in those terms. That requires an amalgamation of views on a variety of different players. I would say "fair", but I don't do amalgamations in the middle of the year.

At the major league level, Nova's been a solid contributor. He's done what we hoped he would do. Eduardo Nunez has played well, and he's getting his feet on the ground defensively, and I think he'll be a solid defender. Brett Gardner has continued his progress. He's having some basestealing issues that he's working through, but his defense is elite. He saves us runs, which is the same as creating runs. David Robertson continues to improve and grow. The young guys up there are doing fine.

Noesi's had some OK moments, but he has a lot of development still to do.

SJK: Speaking of Noesi, do you agree with how he's been handled this year? He had a great year in 2010, but he's only pitched 19 innings this season. He goes quite a few days in between appearances. He's basically stuck in the long relief role. What are your thoughts on that?

MN: Our thoughts are that we're in an 'all-hands on deck' scenario. Our mission is to win games in New York. Our secondary mission is to develop championship-caliber players in our farm system. In the ideal situation, Noesi would be a starter in Scranton right now and be continuing his development. However, we have to return to that priority of winning in New York. In that regard, we are doing what we have to do at this moment. It may not be what any of us like to do, but it's what we have to do.

Now you can take that in isolation and criticize what we're doing as detrimental to his development, or you can view it in the context of a bigger picture. You can ask any rabid Yankee fan and I would guess they'd care more about winning in New York than the development of a young pitcher.

SJK: I would agree with that, but only to an extent. Lately, there's definitely been some criticism within the fanbase that there is a lack of willingness to use prospects on the big club, with the most recent example being the signing of Brian Gordon instead of using someone like Noesi. Do you think that criticism is fair?

MN: I wouldn't want to characterize the criticism as fair or unfair. It was our decision that at the current time our best option was Brian Gordon. He had extraordinary performance over the last couple months in AAA, and because of an out, he became available. We always want to promote our guys, but this was a special case. We needed to make a decision on what would help us win in the short-term. We understand those criticisms, but we'll see how it all plays out. Remember our priority is to win games.

SJK: What about David Phelps and Adam Warren? Why were they passed over for Gordon?

MN: They were in consideration. Adam Warren has picked it up a notch over his last few starts. But, his walks have gone up and his strikeouts have gone down. He's still adjusting to Triple-A. The silver lining is that Adam Warren will get more time in Triple-A. I'll tell you this, his slider has improved immensely. Because he's had time to fail, screw up, and recalibrate, he's a better pitcher than what he was last year. Signing someone like Brian Gordon gives Warren a little more time to refine his abilities. We think Adam Warren is going to be a good starter for us, and I'm more confident now after I saw him pitch last week.

Phelps has to work his way through this shoulder thing. But, he's pitched fine all year.

SJK: Some scouts view Phelps more as a reliever due to a lack of pitch arsenal. Would you agree with those assessments? Do you envision him as a reliever or a starter in New York?

MN: I don't think it's an either/or question. I think he can start, throw strikes, sink the ball, and compete. His pitch arsenal isn't fully developed yet. I think the quality of his curveball and changeup has improved. His velocity was down a little bit this year relative to last year, but I think it has more to do with the shoulder issue. He's working his way through that now.

Pitchers are not starters or relievers. Phil Hughes was a very valuable reliever and then was an All-Star starting pitcher in 2010. Phelps could be a starter or reliever. Where he ends up eventually, we'll find out. In my personal view, we spend a lot of time and wasted energy on trying to prognosticate what a guy's future role will be. Ultimately, the game will tell you. We went through that with Joba. There's still people who want to argue that Joba should be a starter. It's only an academic exercise now, but it seems to me that the game told us that he was a better reliever, even though he could start.

SJK: Speaking of starting and relieving, Brackman is in the bullpen now. What's happened with him this year?

MN: He's struggling. He's frustrated with what he's doing. We have to fight through it. One of the highlights of last season was how he pitched towards the end of the year, and he was probably the best pitcher in Trenton at the conclusion of the season. He's gone off the tracks now though. Brack's a real competitive guy and we know he'll fight through this. Beyond that, there's not a lot to say.

SJK: Is there anything you can pinpoint that's changed with him?

MN: It's command. It's confidence.

SJK: Sticking with AAA, what's the latest on Tim Norton and how close was he to getting the call to New York?

MN: He was certainly in consideration. He's had injury issues obviously, and we kept him in Double-A longer than the general population probably thought we should. But, we were allocating innings on a conservative basis. He hadn't gone back-to-back, and we finally starting doing that with him because we thought he was strong enough to do it. He got through that fine.

At Double-A, we can manage innings easier than we can manage innings at Triple-A. In Triple-A, our position is that you need to pitch like you would at the major league level. At Double-A, we can tell a pitcher "you'll throw 2 innings every 2 days for the next three weeks." At Triple-A we can't do that, because you're at the beck and call of the big league club, and they need to be conditioned both physically and mentally to perform on the big stage. So at Scranton, we try to maintain a mirror image of how they'd be used in New York.

Every time you move a player up, he tends to get an adrenaline rush, so we try to be careful, and that was the case with Norton. He works his rear end off, so if he can come back, he will come back.

SJK: Does that process, in which you mirror usage at the AAA level with the big league level, also apply to position players?

MN: Yes. You'll notice that a guy like Greg Golson, who's really performing well, is playing multiple outfield positions because that's how Girardi would use him in New York.

SJK: We've heard quite a bit in the past couple weeks about the Jesus Montero saga. You were quoted in saying that he feels like he should be in the big leagues already. Some people are saying he's bored. His numbers this year aren't as good as they were last year. What's the deal with Montero and what's going on with him in your view?

MN: Defensively, he's improved. Offensively, he's not playing as well as he did last year. If he's bored, he shouldn't be. I'm close to him and I don't think he is. He's got big-time ability, but still has developmental work to do. Sometimes with pitchers, we see them work hard on their breaking ball, and their changeup goes south. They need to find that equilibrium. In Montero's case, catching is so demanding and he's focused so much on being a big-league caliber catcher, that he's been less focused on hitting. He needs to find that equilibrium.

If you're an outfielder, that transition to offense from defense is much less demanding than when you catch. One of my all-time favorite players is Paul O'Neill and if you paid attention, you could sometimes see him practicing his swing in right field. You don't see a catcher do that. Montero is 21 years old, he's basically a college junior. He's playing in Triple-A, and he's playing at a very high level. He's trying to figure out how this game works mentally. Baseball is in large part about mental preparation. A catcher needs to get ready to call and receive every pitch, plus get ready to attack every at-bat. He's learning how to do that. There's a reason the Nationals put Bryce Harper in the outfield.

SJK: So you are saying that Montero isn't ready yet?

MN: He's got work to do. He could go to the big leagues and play, but he's got work to do before he's truly ready. I have every confidence that he will be, but he's got work to do.

SJK: Well, let's go back to what you said earlier in that the Yankees' main priority is to win games at the big league level. Playing devil's advocate, why wasn't Montero brought up when Russell Martin went down to his back injury? Obviously, when it comes to at least hitting, there is no comparison between Cervelli and Montero. Why wasn't Montero called up if the priority is to "win now?"

MN: Cervelli still would have caught every day because he knows the pitching staff. Joe wouldn't use Montero, and there was no point using him as a backup to Cervelli.

SJK: At what point do you think it takes major league experience to develop a prospect?

MN: A prospect's development doesn't stop when he leaves AAA -- at this point, Newman asks if he can call Sensei back because Brian Cashman is calling.

-- Newman calls back --

SJK: Some fans have been clamoring for Betances and Banuelos. Looking at the numbers, Betances is having problems walking hitters and Banuelos is having problems against right-handed batters. How close do you think they are to the bigs, and do you think it's at all reasonable for fans to be complaining that they haven't been given a shot in the Bronx yet?

MN: Everybody writes about prospects now. Ten to fifteen years ago, no one did. These guys almost become the backup quarterback. Everybody loves the backup quarterback when the team struggles.

I saw Dellin yesterday and he's made progress. His fastball command still has issues though. Banuelos has fastball command issues as well. Dellin has only 16 Double-A starts over the past 2 years, and Manny has 17. Manny's walked too many guys. He needs to calm that down. They need time.

SJK: Let's look at some of the guys who got away, most notably Ian Kennedy and Tyler Clippard. At the time they were traded, they were regarded as not having dominant stuff, even though the results were good. Obviously, they've impressed since leaving the organization. How much do the Yankees weigh "stuff" versus "performance", and do you have a preference for one over the other?

MN: Well, you'd like to have both. But, "stuff" isn't just the radar gun. Ian and Tyler are two good examples. Ian's fastball is 88-92. We measure the quality of the fastball in three ways beyond just the radar gun:

1. Command/Strike Rate
2. Swings & misses
3. Groundballs

SJK: So with Kennedy and Clippard, it wasn't "they don't throw 95, so we'll make them available?"

MN: No. In Ian's case, we liked him. We thought he would be a good pitcher, especially me and Cash. But, we were getting a premium position guy with power who had a manageable contract (Granderson). And we had a lot of pitching in our system.

In Tyler's case, we thought Albaladejo would be a serviceable bullpen guy, but he struggled. The mistake we made was not seeing what Tyler Clippard looked like in the pen.

SJK: As the boss of the minor league system, do you ever get frustrated that prospects aren't given the chance that other organizations might afford them?

MN: I don't really think of it like that, but I do make a point to remind everyone not to make snap judgments on players. Look at Mark Melancon. He walked a bunch of guys when he was called up, 10 guys in 16 innings. In Houston, he's got his feet wet and he's throwing the ball well. We have to make sure we don't make decisions on small sample sizes. But, we made the trade for Berkman because we thought he was a guy who could help us get to where we wanted to go. Obviously, he's still got some game left because he's doing well this year. We were hoping he could give that to us, but we missed it by a few months.

All of our scouts know what the Yankees are about. They don't moan and groan if one of their draft picks gets traded. We're in this for one reason and that's to win championships.

SJK: Lots of promotions to Tampa recently, starting with Slade Heathcott and JR Murphy. Murphy's been hitting well all season, Slade not as much. I know they're roommates and they've played together since joining the organization. Does their relationship factor in at all with their joint promotion? In other words, are they a package deal?

MN: No, every player is his own individual. We don't care who are roommates, who are friends -- Slade had periods where he hit the ball really well and times when he didn't, especially later on in his stint there. He needs a challenge and we think going to Tampa will help him.

SJK: Is Murphy a catcher long-term?

MN: I'll tell you, he's improved so much defensively. He can do other things too, but I really believe he'll be able to catch in the big leagues. His arm strength has improved. His receiving has improved. He's a bright guy.

SJK: Sticking with Tampa, Jairo Heredia (SP) is having a really nice season so far. What are your thoughts on him?

MN: He's really pitching well. He struggled in 2009 and 2010. His shoulder was bothering him. He lost a bunch of weight. He's gained the weight back. He's stronger. He's healthy. He's been one of the highlights this year. I saw him pitch marvelously a couple weeks ago. But with a lot of these young kids, his fastball command is a big issue. He's got a quality curveball and quality changeup. Both of them are 'plus.' He's pitching 90-92 with his fastball and he can win a lot of games with that and his secondary stuff. He has a chance to move up at some point this year.

SJK: What about Zolio Almonte? He's showing big-time power this year.

MN: He's another emerging guy. He has an .869 OPS and 11 HRs in a league that is tough to hit home runs in. He's on pace to hit over 20 home runs and that's big. He's stolen 9 out of 12 bases, switch hits, has some power...he's forcing himself on the prospect map. He's 22 years old and that's pretty good stuff.

SJK: Back to these promotions to Tampa, Kyle Roller is fantastic hitter. Any chance he can move around, maybe an outfield position, or do you see his future as a 1B/DH type? The knock on him is that he's not very athletic, and unless he hits at a top-level, he'll find it hard to advance because of the clog of 1B/DH types always available.

MN: That's what he is. He has the bat, but that's what he is. Rob Segedin is the other one. He was promoted from Charleston to Tampa. He's going to see more time in right field (as opposed to 3B).

SJK: With Segedin's situation specifically and also in general concepts, what goes into the decision to try players at different positions? Is it where you see the depth or lack of depth at the major league level? Is it athleticism?

MN: There's a couple ways to look at it. You look at the major league roster and try to have some idea of how that will look a few years down the road. You obviously have the Teixeira issue at first base and the Arod issue at third base. The next question you ask is what kind of ability does the young player have? In Segedin's case, moreso than Roller, he has played other positions. Even with JR Murphy, we have a bunch of catching depth in the organization, but Murphy is more athletic than Montero and can play outfield and third base. You maintain your options because unpredictable situations can occur.

SJK: How do you view Romine with Montero blocking him?

MN: Romine will be a starting major league catcher. I really believe that. I wouldn't say Montero is blocking him. Our manager went from Double-A to the big leagues as a catcher. We just don't want them to play in the same place. Romine should be in Triple-A.

SJK: Speaking of catchers, are Gary Sanchez's issues behind him?

MN: He's 18 years old. He's learning to be a professional. He's a great kid. I love him. We have to discipline him on occasion, just like in any family.

SJK: What are your thoughts on Nik Turley? He's a big boy, left-handed...

MN: Nik's an interesting pitcher. He's pitching his tail off. He's striking out nearly 9 per nine, he's walking 2.3 -- he's not a big radar gun guy. He's a big boy. He's got one brother who's playing basketball at Penn. He's got another brother who's a NAVY Seal. This guy comes from a high caliber family. He's left handed and throws secondary pitches for strikes. I would never underestimate what this kid will do. We like him a lot.

SJK: Last question, with Joba, Feliciano, and Soriano going down, are there any other arms we should be paying attention to? Maybe George Kontos?

MN: You hit the nail on the head on the guy. He's healthy now and he's throwing the ball better than ever. His fastball is 92-93. He's got a swing-and-miss slider. If his strike rate with the fastball improves, he'll certainly be an option for us. His slider is legit. It's late, it's quick. It's 85-86. His strikeout rate is 9.5. His walk rate is as low as it's ever been. He's doing well. He's putting himself on the map.

SJK: Well Mark, I appreciate it. Thank you again for another interview. I'm sure we'll talk soon.

MN: No problem.

This interview should be very timely because the critiques of how the Yankees manage their prospects have been flying in lately, some valid and some terribly uninformed. Plus, it certainly seems like the farm system as a whole has taken a step back from last year -- keeping in mind that last season set the bar very high.

So, this should be a very interesting interview and in a change for us, we're letting NoMaasians know about it in advance, and giving everyone the opportunity to submit questions that we could ask Newman. Thus, if you have a question, feel free to post it in the comments section below.

No mercy.

In the our Stealth Bomber series, we talk to players in the farm system who aren't yet on the New York radar, but hope one day to be so.

Before his game Monday against the Augusta GreenJackets (Giants Class A Affiliate), Charleston Riverdogs catcher and Yankees' 2009 second-round draft pick JR Murphy entered the dojo of NoMaas' Sensei John Kreese. The 20-year old Murphy is raking this season to the tune of .321/.366/.502. We discussed his hot hitting and much more with JR, who won our 2nd MLPW Award of 2011.

Sensei John Kreese: You've been killing it this season. What's been the secret to your success between this year and last year?

JR Murphy: Just came into spring training this year feeling more comfortable -- knowing all the staff, all the coaches, all the players. I had a good spring training and I'm on a roll right now. I'm seeing the ball better and just playing well.

SJK: I was looking at your stats and noticed that you were intentionally walked this season. Are you getting the Barry Bonds treatment already?

JR: Haha. No, I think it was a situation where the pitcher was 3-0 on me, and there was a runner on second and first base was open. So they just put me on.

SJK: We interviewed Slade Heathcott about a month and a half ago, and he's in a similar situation to you, with him showing big improvement over last season. He told us that the Yankees made adjustments to his hitting approach last year and they didn't work, so he went back to his old approach, and everything is clicking. Did something similar happen with you?

JR: Not really. Right when I got drafted, they made it clear that hitting wasn't their main concern with me, it was more of the defensive side. I've talked to plenty of guys about my hitting, but no adjustments have really been made. It's more about maintaining what I already do. It's been on the defensive side.

SJK: Slade also said that you "just know how to hit." You hear that a lot in baseball. It's very cliché, but what do you think he means by that? How would you describe yourself as a hitter?

JR: Hitting comes naturally to me, but it's funny that Slade said that. He's my roommate. But, I still have to work at it. Sometimes I get anxious up there and swing at lousy pitches. But, I believe my pitch recognition is getting better. I'm maturing as a hitter. I'm becoming more of a professional hitter.

SJK: One of the aspects of your game that is really jumping off is your power. You already have more doubles than all of last season, and you're only 1 home run away from equaling last year's total. Did you eat your Wheaties or something this offseason?

JR: Haha. I think a lot of it has to do with being more comfortable coming into Spring Training. I also hit the gym in the offseason to get stronger.

SJK: It's no secret that the Yankees farm system has a heavy crop of catchers. Do you ever think about your future in the organization because of that?

JR: I'd be lying if I told you I didn't. Everyone knows that the Yankees have lots of good catchers in the system. But the only thing I can control is how I perform. I don't view it as a competition with other guys. I can only control how I play.

SJK: Does it ever weigh on you guys [minor leaguers] that since the Yankees set the bar so high with basically All-Stars at every position that it's difficult to crack the Bronx?

JR: My dream is to play for the New York Yankees. About 90% of minor leaguers would say the same thing. But as a minor leaguer, you want to play in the bigs one day. That's the goal.

SJK: In prospect circles, there's talk of you moving positions. In fact, unless I'm mistaken, you've played four games at 3B this season. What's your situation there and are you open to a position change?

JR: Yeah, I've played a handful of games at third. My preference is to catch, but I'm very open to trying other positions. If playing another position creates opportunities for me either with the Yankees or another organization, then I'm very open to it.

SJK: You were primarily an OF in high school and made the transition to catcher later on, right?

JR: Actually, no. I starting catching my sophomore year and then had knee surgery my junior year. Then I split time between the OF, 3B, and C when I came back from surgery.

SJK: Any other guys in Charleston that impress you?

JR: We're really loaded with talent, although I don't think we're playing up to our capabilities yet. Slade can do things I haven't really seen before. And Kyle Roller and Rob Segedin have really professional approaches at the plate.

SJK: Alright, JR, that's all I got. Good luck the rest of the year and we hope to talk to you again soon. Keep killing it.

JR: Alright, man. Don't jinx me. Good talking to you.

Many thanks to JR for hanging with NoMaas and we wish him the best of luck. You can follow JR and the rest of the Class-A Charleston Riverdogs at their official website.

In the our Stealth Bomber series, we talk to players in the farm system who aren't yet on the New York radar, but hope one day to be so.

Before his game on Thursday, NoMaas' Gary Wallace caught up with the Trenton Thunder's ace reliever, Tim Norton. Tim was drafted out of UConn back in 2006, but has been slowed by a slew of injuries. Despite these setbacks, Norton has posted stellar numbers at every level (2.45 ERA, 5.02 K/BB) and is doing just that in AA this year. In 12.2 innings, Tim has a 0.71 ERA and a 4.79 K/BB with only 8 baserunners along the way.

Gary Wallace: Hi.

Tim Norton: How you doing?

GW: I’m doing alright, how are you?

TN: Pretty good, thanks.

GW: How’d your work go today?

TN: Work went alright. Pretty normal. Played catch. Did some shagging and get ready to play. Nothing too different from the norm.

GW: That’s good. Getting right into things, I haven’t been able to find a recent pitch repertoire. I know you used to throw a splitter but dropped it. Would you mind telling me what you’re throwing right now?

TN: Sure: four-seam fastball, slider and a changeup. It’s changed over the years with my shoulder issues.

GW: Yeah, I’d imagine. How do you like throwing the slider? How does it feel for you?

TN: Feels fine. It’s been pretty good for me. I’ve been throwing it for strikes and making some good two strike pitches with it. It’s still an everyday process to try and keep it in check, but it’s been pretty good for me.

GW: It’s definitely reflected in the numbers this year. You’ve always been productive when you're on mound -- you’ve basically only been stopped by injuries. How tough is that for you?

TN: It’s definitely a pain because I feel like I can do well and progress and make my way towards the big leagues when I’m healthy. There’s been some arm issues over the years and it’s frustrating because I feel like when I’m healthy, I’m pretty good and I can contribute to a team. It is frustrating, but everything feels good now.

GW: Glad to hear it. Does it mean anything to you that the Yankees have stuck with you through this period?

TN: It means a lot. It really does. I don’t know how many organizations would have held on to me and had faith in me to go through all this…shoulder surgeries, tore my lat last year…so it means the world that the trainers and the front office guys stuck with me and just gave me a chance to come back so many times. It definitely means the world to me. Those are some good people.

GW: Last year was the first time you ever recorded an official save. Is there a different mindset for you going into a “save situation?”

TN: I guess I’ve been asked that a few times. Really, I always want to go in there and throw strikes. I want to get ahead and when I get ahead I want to make a pitch and strike them out. I always have that same kind of mindset to get in there and pump the zone and just get ahead. I like to be there in pressure situations, don’t get me wrong. It’s a little more exciting for me, but it’s the same mindset really.

GW: So you kind of feed off the excitement of the situation?

TN: Yeah. I like be in there in big spots with everyone yelling and going crazy and it’s just up to me and the catcher with our guys in the field. I love to be in pressure situations. I think it brings out the best in a lot of people.

GW: When healthy you’ve always put up big strikeout numbers. Is that something you actively go for or is it just something that happens along the way for you?

TN: No, I don’t actively go for it. I kind of pitch towards the strikeout in certain situations. I don’t pitch for the “K”, but when there’s two strikes, 0-2, 1-2, 2-2, I’m trying to make a pitch. Something I consider a good strikeout pitch. It just seems to be coming of late.

GW: Is there anything you wish 23-year old Tim Norton playing for the Staten Island Yankees could have known?

TN: Not really, because I was hurting when I got there. I wish I could have known everything I’ve learned since then -- about not just trying to throw the ball as hard as you can and wherever it goes it goes. I wish I wasn’t that stupid, but I feel like I’m pretty good when I’m not hurting. I was hurting when I got there and I’ve been dealing with it ever since. I wish I knew how to stay healthy years before that. I wish I corrected my mechanics years before that. I wish I found a way to do that, but that’s in the past and sometimes it just happens. Some people have the best mechanics in the world and break down, so who knows? I don’t know if it was the mechanics or just my ligaments…I don’t know.

GW: Were your mechanics something the Yankees had you change when you came in or they just kind of let you do your own thing?

TN: Right away.

GW: Right away?

TN: Oh yeah. I think Nardi [Nardi Contreras, Yankees’ Minor League Pitching Coordinator] enforced his “Thirty Day Rule” where you just come in and throw how you throw and he just takes a look at you -- doesn’t do anything for thirty days. Then he goes ahead and makes changes. We definitely went ahead and made some changes. I was stepping across my body a lot. I wasn’t saying on line. I was falling off. I was kind of wild at first. We kind of honed it in to where it’s pretty good. We can still do some stuff better, but it’s a lot better than it used to be.

GW: Good to hear. As a fellow pitcher, how impressive to you is what Pat Venditte does?

TN: I play catch with him so I get to see him lefty, I get to see him righty. First of all he goes about his business the right way. He works hard; he’s been working his tail off for years now. To be able to throw righty and lefty is something special and especially what he has with both arms. He’s got a fastball from the right side that gets up there in the low 90s and he spots it up for the most part. Then he’s got a big breaking ball righty and a good changeup. Then he switches lefty and he’s got that sinker and he can get that up there a little bit too. Then that frisbee slider he throws and his changeup...he’s got so many different options…it’s pretty impressive. I know he’s not off to the best start but he’s going to pan out and have a good season. I’m sure of it. He’s too good and takes too much pride in what he does to not have a pretty good season. I’m sure he’ll get going in a little bit.

GW: What is Austin Romine like as a battery partner?

TN: Saying he’s great for me is an understatement. I’ll give you a couple examples of why I love to have him back there. I’ve rarely shook him off in the past few years when we worked together, which has been on and off because of my injuries. It was a few outings ago and there was a guy on second, one out, 1-2 count, and I threw a slider in the dirt and it hit him in the wrist. It hit him bad. He was down for a good minute, maybe even more…not moving too much and the trainer came out. I heard a pop and I thought I broke his wrist or something. He finally got to where he was ready to go again and what does he call? Slider again at the back foot. He didn’t hesitate, he wanted it again. That means a lot to me and having him back there to the such balls to do that, I like a guy like that. He’s great for me and great for the team.

GW: So it’s safe to say there’s a comfort level between you two?

TN: Oh yeah. I’m real comfortable with Romine.

GW: Let’s say hypothetically you’re closing for the Yankees, it’s a home game. You come trotting out of the bullpen; what’s playing in the background?

TN: That’s a very good question. I’ve thought of this quite a bit actually. There are so many good songs, but if there’s one song it would probably be Kid Rock’s “American Badass.”

GW: Pretty solid choice, but I don’t know if they’ll let you play that over the PA.

TN: That’s why I don’t know… if not I’d go with Ted Nugent’s “Strangehold.”

GW: Having them in a strangle hold works too. Thanks a lot, Tim. I’m sure we’ll get nothing but good things from you in the future.

TN: Hopefully, I appreciate it.

Many thanks to Tim for hanging with NoMaas. If he can stay healthy, the Bronx is a realistic destination possibility. To follow Tim, be sure to check out Trenton's official website.

In the our Stealth Bomber series, we talk to players in the farm system who aren't yet on the New York radar, but hope one day to be so.

Before his game Thursday against the Lakeville Blueclaws (Phillies Class A Affiliate), Charleston Riverdogs leadoff hitter and Yankees' 2009 1st-round draft pick Slade Heathcott kicked it with NoMaas' Gary Wallace in a wide-ranging interview. The 20-year old centerfielder is off to a monster start this season with a crazy line of .370/.440/.616 through 18 games. We discussed this and much more with Slade, who won our first 2011 Minor League Player of the Week Award.

Gary Wallace: How are you doing? How are you feeling?

Slade Heathcott: Feeling pretty good.

GW: I heard [the Charleston RiverDogs] were at Yankee Stadium last night watching the game…

SH: Yes, sir, we went up as a team to go watch the game. Some of the guys hadn’t been there before so it was a good experience.

GW: Hopefully they didn’t make you pay for the Legends seats or anything like that.

SH: No, we got lucky. We didn’t have to pay for anything.

GW: That’s good. Very nice of them. Just wanted to talk to you a little bit about the season you’re having and last year. Starting off with last season, looking back on 2010 now, your first full professional season, how do you feel about it?

SH: Well, it was alright. Couldn’t find my swing for most of the year, but everything happens for a reason. I’ve kind of learned from there, at least I think I have. Just got to hope it stays the way it’s going now, stick with what I’m doing everyday and try not to veer away from that too much.

GW: Whatever you learned, it seems to have worked because you came out on fire this year. Don’t know if you know it, but you’re currently fifth in the Sally League in OPS [min. 60 PAs]. Pretty damn impressive for a twenty year old, obviously. You had another good game last night. Could you have guessed you would tie your home run total from last year in a week?

SH: I think yeah. I would have hoped so. I didn’t really show much power last year and I really haven’t shown it much this year, but at least the doubles numbers have been good. I guess it will all come with time. The older I get the better I get, stuff like that. I know I’ve got more home run power than I’ve shown… I hope that it keeps coming around. Just whatever it takes to get me to the further level.

GW: Has there been any change in approach at the plate for you?

SH: I haven’t really changed my approach, just going back to the way I hit earlier in my life, in high school. Just hitting comfortable instead of going along with the organizational way or the supposedly right way to hit. Everyone has their own thing and I’m just trying to find mine, I think I’m on the right road. That’s baseball. Just trying to stick with that and not veer too far away from it. Hopefully it will keep working out.

GW: So some of the changes the changes the Yankees tried to employ didn’t really work out that great?

SH: Yeah. You know the combination of me not really understanding it the right way… and it not being presented the right way… It’s stuff that helps other people and I took it too far. I should have realized “Hey, this isn’t working,” and left it at that. Just trying to find my swing, you know? … At times it will be off… that’s always the struggle you have. I don’t think my swing is quite as where I want it to be, but it’s close and it’s a lot closer than it was last year. Hopefully I can find it. Just not lose confidence in it in bad times… Just because we find something we like doesn’t mean it will have the greatest results. Just having the courage and know how to stay with that and not veer from it.

GW: I feel bad for pitchers if this isn’t even your “good” swing right now…

SH: It’s not that it’s not a good swing. It’s got little things that I need to critique, but I feel comfortable. I’m seeing the ball. It’s not that it’s not my best swing, but I’m not getting the lift that I would like. Still getting pitches that I could do more with, but I’m not complaining whatsoever. I’m happy with the results. If that’s what comes from it, that’s what comes from it. If it helps me get better, it does; if it doesn’t, it doesn’t.

GW: There was recently a report from Josh Norris, I believe, that your shoulder hasn’t been one hundred percent since you signed with the Yankees. Is that correct?

SH: Yes and no. I wouldn’t say last year that it wasn’t one hundred percent throwing strength, because it was. I had my strength there… just a combination of me not knowing how to control it and the surgery kind of threw my shoulder off so I had trouble controlling where the ball was going last year. It was a hundred percent strength-wise, just not accuracy-wise. This year… I’m nowhere close to one hundred percent and hopefully it will get better by the end of the year. Just trying to take it day by day.

GW: Interesting, on another note, did you have any goals coming into this season? Anything you really wanted to achieve?

SH: Yes. Just trying to find my swing was the biggest thing. Trying to find my comfort level. Trying to find my approach that I think is going to work best for me. That’s been my biggest goal. Also, learning to play the game the right way; smart. Learning the situations to go for it, learning the situations not to. Just learning the game; that’s been kind of my biggest goal. Just playing every day the best I can.

GW: Your caught stealing numbers are kind of high, is that part of this learning process for you as well?

SH: That’s a thing I need to work on. I’ve never been the greatest base stealer, never have been. I never really worked at it. The caught stealings… two of them [in 2011] have been lefties that I’ve left on first move, I just kept going and they were pickoffs. One of them the other day was a righty and I just didn’t think of the “thirty one” move with a man on third and first… wasn’t thinking about that. Left on first move there, so that was a pickoff. When I’ve actually run it’s been three and one, so that’s been alright. It’s just learning the game; when to run, look to the pitcher… I just need a lot of work when it comes to baserunning.

GW: Those are things that we don’t see in box scores and when you give that perspective, it kind of changes things…

SH: My biggest thing right now -- I had a lefty that I really thought was a balk move and it was a questionable call. We have two-man umpire system so it’s tough [for them] to see that balk move that would be called a balk with a four-man crew or even a three-man crew. Got picked off and I’m not much for getting into a rundown. I just feel like taking off as fast I can and sliding hard into second. If they get me, they do. If not, I’m on second. The pickoffs are leading to the caught stealing and I just need a lot of work with it. I’ve never worked with it before. I never was a base stealer before so that’s a new aspect of the game that I’m trying to learn.

GW: It’s a process obviously. If you had to dream, where do you see yourself playing baseball in August?

SH: I can say where I would like to be, but I have no control over it. The only thing I can do is play to the best of my ability and play as hard as I can. [The Yankees] obviously know more about me, they know where [I fit best]. I’d like to be in Tampa; I’d be lying if I said I didn’t. I try not to get caught up in that too much because if they don’t believe I can play there, or wherever it may be, I don’t want to be disappointed… Just trying to stay away from that as much as possible. If I had to say, I’d like to play in Tampa.

GW: Have you had any signature moment in your career so far?

SH: I don’t know what you mean when you say “signature moment.”

GW: Something that comes to mind when you think of your professional career so far.

SH: Just being able to wake up every day, seeing that I go to the park every day. Living to go hit BP. Kind of joke that I wake up and hit BP while other kids my age are trying to go to school, going to class. I really feel blessed for that perspective. I had a game with two home runs and that’s been better for me. Trying to get back to that point. Kind of rolling over stuff now. Trying to find that perfect medium and hope that… I can be consistent with it. I’ve been up, I’ve been down so far and we’ve only played eighteen games. Trying to get to that consistency point, whether it’s good or bad… I think that’s the main goal for us minor leaguers and people that are in the process down here.

GW: This will probably sound pretty contrived, but what would you say your greatest strength and weakness are as a player?

SH: I play hard. I make up for a lot of things by playing hard. It was the same thing when I played football. My biggest belief is you’ve got to play hard every day. When I think of myself as a hitter, I think I’m a long way from where I see myself or what I think I can be. I’m not a forty home run guy ever, never will be. When I think about myself hitting at the upper levels, I truly believe I can and so does everyone else… Time will tell. I’m real confident in my glove in the outfield, I get good reads. I’m perceived to be a lot faster than I am because of the reads I get in the outfield. Those are some of the strengths I would say I have.

GW: I think that’s what most people would say. You’ve got a lot of talented guys down there in Charleston, lots of what people would say are big prospects with Gary Sanchez, Ramon Flores, JR Murphy… Do you guys get a sense that there’s a lot of very talented people on that team?

SH: I get the sense that we have a lot of talented people in the Yankee organization right now. You could look at Hi-A where we have five outfielders now. You could look at AA where we have Melky Mesa who I think is one of our best prospects. We have Gary Sanchez here. That kid is so immature when it comes to the game and just young. If he ever figures it out he’s going to be an animal. He’s got all the tools, he’s got unbelievable power. We have JR Murphy who is in my opinion is one of the best hitters on Charleston and maybe in the upper levels. He just knows how to hit. He goes about it the right way and he’s consistent with it. I think that’s one of his biggest keys. Flores is a younger kid who I think is really good. Obviously I can’t say everyone is going to play for the Yankees but I think we have a bunch of key people in the organization from our level up who are going to play in the big leagues with somebody. I think the Yankees have a great minor league system right now.

GW: You’re a big part of that. I just want to thank you for taking time out to talk to me, I know you’ve got a game later so I’ll let you go. Good luck in the future.

SH: Thank you.

Many thanks to Slade for hanging with NoMaas and we wish him the best of luck. You can follow Slade and the rest of the Class-A Charleston Riverdogs at their official website.

Rob Neyer: I will. I just don't know what they are, exactly. Ultimately, the quality of the material that you see on SB Nation's baseball page is my responsibility, whether I've actually written it or not. Fortunately, we're already blessed with talented writers and I hope to bring more aboard in the coming months.

SJK: In your first piece at SB Nation, you offered a glimpse as to the reason you left ESPN, and it seems like you felt out of place at a mainstream media outlet:

Is the impression we received accurate?

RN: Did I feel out of place? Sure, a little. Almost all of my colleagues and editors had worked for some years in print journalism before joining ESPN.com, and so of course they know people that I don't know and have preferences and conventions that I don't understand. And it probably didn't help that I spend the great majority of my time holed up in Portlandia.

SJK: If you did feel out of place, why did you stay there for so many years? ESPN is the epitome of mainstream sports media, and has been so for quite some time.

RN: I stayed there because almost everyone was incredibly nice to me, and for fifteen years I could not have asked for a bigger, better audience. It's not like I've been sitting in my house, shaking my fist at the sky and raging, "Damn you, ESPNNNNNN!"

It was a fantastic place for me, but I just wasn't attracted by the thought of doing the same thing for another 15 years, and SB Nation seemed like the perfect opportunity to try some new things, at least for a while. Someday I might like to write columns again, agonizing over each one for many hours. But there aren't nearly as many of those jobs as there used to be, and I can't imagine there being many at all when I'm ready to semi-retire.

SJK: Mainstream sportswriting is the only profession that comes to mind in which its participants vehemently refuse to embrace change, improve their analysis, and modernize their ways of thought. It's like ignorance is a badge of honor. Why is this? In other professions, people are always searching for more effective techniques.

RN: Oh, I don't know if that's true. Max Planck might or might not have said that science advances one funeral at a time, but the general tendency has been observed many times. I don't care if it's science or business or baseball analysis, the great majority of practitioners are highly resistant to change, for the simple reason that they've invested a great deal of time, etc. in the existing wisdom. Humans really aren't built for change, which is why the exceptions are so interesting and sometimes brilliant.

SJK: How much of the MSM's content is driven by its audience? After all, most baseball fans still evaluate players like the back of a 1987 Topps card. In other words, if the MSM all of a sudden ditched W/L in favor of xFIP, doesn't it run the risk of losing the masses?

RN: I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I don't know what "most baseball fans" are doing. The fans who care enough to regularly visit websites are pretty smart. Even if most of them don't have more than a passing familiarity with xFIP, but there's a happy and informative medium between xFIP and those old-fashioned wins and losses (which are still fun, too).

SJK: After you announced your departure from ESPN, the tributes came pouring in, crediting you for being the first writer to bring sabermetric thought to the public eye. What was your reaction?

RN: There were tributes? I had no idea!

Sorry. I tried that on a few friends last week and they actually bought it. Figured I should give it one more shot.

Of course I read nearly all of them. It's not often that we get to read dozens of eulogies from people who seem to genuinely like us. I knew this was probably a once-in-a-career thing, and I figured I should enjoy it while I could.

Oddly, at almost exactly the same time that all these people on the InterWebs were saying all these impossibly lovely things about me, my long-term girlfriend was breaking up with me. Not that I didn't have it coming. Believe it or not, sometimes I'm not the easiest guy in the world to get along with. But for roughly 48 hours -- during very few of which I was able to sleep -- I was whipsawing back and forth between these extreme emotions while also writing thousands of words for ESPN.com one day and then SB Nation the next.

There's an old joke about statisticians ... If you're standing there with one foot in a bucket of ice water and another in a bucket of boiling water, a statistician will tell you you're average. But you're not feeling average at all. That's where I was last Monday and Tuesday, as far from average as I have ever been, or could possibly be.

SJK: Do you think players would benefit if they were more aware of advanced stats? Or, do you think the results wouldn't change that much? What about managers?

RN: I suppose that a few players might benefit from a few moderately advanced stats. Generally speaking though, there's just a not a lot they can do with that stuff. I know Brian Bannister is a sample size of just one, but if you don't have major-league pitches, it's not really going to matter if you've got a major-league understanding of sabermetrics. I think the situational stuff might be useful, tendencies or whatnot, but the closer you get to the field, the less useful sabermetrics becomes.

SJK: Over the last few years, Bill James has developed a reputation for being overly optimistic in his hitter projections. Do you think this reputation is warranted?

RN: You're asking the wrong person. Bill James is everything to me, the sun and the moon and the wind and the tides.

SJK: Assume that the Steinbrenners and Randy Levine were responsible for the Jeter and Soriano overpays. How would you evaluate Brian Cashman's offseason?

RN: It probably wasn't his greatest winter, right? You know I think the world of Cashman, but he couldn't convince the Steinbrothers to let Soriano slip away and he couldn't find a reliable No. 4 starter for a reasonable price. I'm not saying anybody else would have done better. But I doubt if Cashman mentions the winter of 2010-2011 in his Hall of Fame acceptance speech.

SJK: The AL East standings will look like what at the end of the season?

RN: Red Sox, Rays, Yankees, Orioles, Blue Jays

SJK: In Karate Kid Part II, Sato wants to kill Myagi because of a woman. Have you ever killed a man over a woman?

RN: Not yet. But I'm still in my physical prime. Just like Derek Jeter.

Many thanks to Rob for talking with NoMaas, and be sure to follow him at SB Nation.

Adios, ESPN.

Sensei John Kreese: How would you describe the overall state of the Yankees farm system?

John Manuel: The Yanks' system had a bounce-back year in 2010. Most of the guys that the organization was counting on had good or even great years, and so did some of the guys it wasn't counting on. Montero had a big year, Sanchez down below, Laird and Noesi, and Nova, Warren, and Phelps at higher levels -- That's a good year for the system. Just a couple of injuries as a downside.

SJK: Are there any prospects you would "sell high" on at this point, assuming you could find a willing trade partner?

JM: I'm not comfortable advocating trades with specific players. I will propose a couple of trade-related observations:

(a) The best items to use in trade, as far as prospects go, are catchers and hard-throwing pitchers. The Yankees have both.
(b) The other key to making deals is the ability to absorb salary, which the Yankees obviously have.

In other words, I'm surprised they haven't used their system this offseason to make a deal, especially considering they didn't get Cliff Lee.

SJK: The Yankees vehemently insist Montero can catch. In fact, Cashman said he's a better defensive catcher than some guys in the bigs right now. What's the opinion of the general scouting community, and has he improved defensively?

JM: Not sure what else Cashman is supposed to say; is he supposed to degrade the value of his top prospect by saying, "Well, he's not really a catcher." The consensus is (and frankly has been for the last two years) that Montero has improved, but will never be an average defender.

He's got plus raw arm strength, but a slow, inconsistent release. He's become more flexible and agile behind the plate, but is who he is -- a behemoth for a catcher. He's just big, in a better way now, but still big. I believe he can catch in the majors, but it would always be "adequate," and he would be an asset for his offense, not his defense.

Comparing him to Mike Piazza, he has a better arm but is a lesser receiver. He's never been held up as a guy who is great at handling pitchers, either. It's hard to get that type of info, and that's a story I'm trying to work on --how different is it for minor league catchers to handle minor league pitchers vs. major league pitchers. But, I've talked to a couple of Yanks' pitchers over the years on teams that have had Montero, and no one ever has stuck his neck out to say he's a joy to work with, or that he handles pitchers well or catches them well.

SJK: How's Austin Romine's stock at this point?

JM: My sense is that it's solid, not spectacular, as has been the case throughout his career. He's young for his level, athletic for a catcher, and has solid all-around tools. He's an inconsistent receiver, but when I was in the Arizona Fall League, he received well, and the scouts I talked to there thought he was an average receiver. I wrote in the 2010 Handbook that "at times he struggles handling velocity, being a little late getting his glove to pitches on the corners." He's made progress there, but scouts I talked to in the Eastern League this year said that was still an accurate assessment.

Offensively, he's still streaky, but he had a solid year for a 21-year-old C in Double-A. His stock may be down a tick because the higher he goes, the more exposed he gets, like any other prospect. For example, the future plus power projections, you don't hear that anymore. But, he's a solid catching prospect and will be in my personal top 100; we do personal top 150s internally and merge those together to start our top 100 discussion.

SJK: Cito Culver -- People were shocked at the pick. Did he do anything to alleviate the skepticism?

JM: Culver's fine. The Yankees didn't see premium athletes on this year's international front, so they went for up-the-middle athletes in the 2010 draft. Culver fit the bill for them as a defender who can play SS, switch-hits, and was one of the draft's youngest players. He needs time for his bat to catch up to his glove, that's the consensus. He needs to get more physical, but that's said of most 18-year-old professional baseball players, especially middle infielders.

SJK: Graham Stoneburner had one of the best 2010s of any pitcher in the Yankee system. Is he really just a reliever, long term?

JM: That's definitely the consensus. I've always been lower on Stoneburner than the blogosphere and remain so.

SJK: Of the Yankees projectable, back-of-the-rotation arms (Hector Noesi, David Phelps, Ivan Nova, Adam Warren), who do you like the most? Do you think any of those guys could surprise us with a little more upside?

JM: Noesi commands the fastball best of that group, followed by Warren. There's not a ton of difference between them, but Noesi's breaking ball, while fringy, is better than Warren's. If you're a back-of-the-rotation guy, you better throw strikes or you'll lose your spot in a hurry. That's what those two guys do.

Phelps does it less, but his secondary pitches improved a bit last year. Nova always has had the best arm, we've been ranking him since he was in low Class A. Last year he threw harder, and with all the Yanks' offseason misses on pitchers, Nova has a good chance to earn a starting role in New York. I do not expect him to be a starter long-term because he has such power stuff and inconsistent control (not to mention command) that he fits better in the bullpen. I have to say overall I'm not a Phelps believer, but I've been wrong before.

SJK: You guys ranked David Phelps' slider as the best in the Yankee system. Is that a result of not many good sliders to choose from, or has it really come that far?

JM: It's an average slider, I got one 55 grade on it. It's really more that the Yankees prefer curveballs and don't really have a plus slider in the system among legit prospects. Andrew Brackman toyed with a slider in the EL and showed some 90-mph ones. If he decides to commit to a slider, he could have a hellacious pitch. He clearly has a feel for spinning a breaking ball, always has, which is why we stuck with him in our rankings when others bailed. He's such a mixed bag.

SJK: We picked Bryan Mitchell and JR Murphy as breakout candidates for next year. Thoughts?

JM: Good picks. Mitchell has the arm for it; we ranked him 11th heading into 2010, which ended up being a year too early. He had some issues being away from home for the first time and wasn't quite mature enough, so we'll see how he handles a full season now.

Murphy, I'm not as high on. It's very unclear what his position will be. He may wind up a Brandon Laird-type on defense -- more hit, less power, no true defensive home, though Laird is better at 3B than I ever thought he'd be. I'm not as high on Murphy as I was last year.

SJK: Where would Rafael DePaula have ranked in the Yankees system if he was signed by the time the BA Prospect Handbook was finished?

JM: That was a bone of contention late in the book. Ben Badler handles international stuff for us and is EXTREMELY high on DePaula. He would have been in the 15-20 range for me. It's such a deep system in pitching. I probably would have slotted him in, if I recall my order correctly, behind Phelps (lower ceiling than DePaula, but obviously much closer to majors) and D.J. Mitchell, who's a reliever in New York, but could be a back-of-the-rotation type elsewhere.

SJK: Did anybody expect Gary Sanchez's bat to be this good, this fast?

JM: I don't think expect is ever the right word for a prospect, but no, I don't think the Yanks even hoped for that. Impressive debut, hence his high ranking in the Handbook.

SJK: Overshadowed by the aforementioned Gary Sanchez, Ramon Flores had a great season of his own in the GCL. What's his projection offensively and defensively?

JM: He just missed the top 30. I got two separate scouts slap a Gerardo Parra on him, more of a fourth-outfielder type than a regular, but it's early.

SJK: Which one of the Killer B's has the best shot at actually starting in the majors?

JM: Right now, I'd say Banuelos, but there's no way he goes pole-to-pole in the majors, or that any of them do. Brackman throwing 141 innings last year is the career-high for any of them. Betances has never thrown more than 121 IP in a season; Banuelos has not topped 110.

The Yankees handle all their guys with care -- some would say too much, and I would frankly agree. What Yankees pitcher in recent memory has contributed a lot as a rookie starter? They've all been disappointments as rookie starters -- Joba and Hughes leap to mind. So, I think all three of those guys are going to get a full season in the minors to prove they can handle the workload of a full season.

SJK: Brackman -- Reliever long-term?

JM: Not yet. More feel for the breaking ball than anyone in the Yankees system. Tall guys take longer to figure it out, and he's showing lots of signs of figuring it out. I also think his makeup is better suited for starting than relieving.

SJK: Yankees' brass seems really high on Eduardo Nunez. Is he a viable stopgap until someone else is ready (Cito Culver / Angelo Gumbs /Christopher Tamarez) or acquired?

JM: Yes, "stopgap" is a good word. His best-case ceiling, for me, is average everyday shortstop. Nothing wrong with that. He's always had the tools, but took a while to mature. New York's development people deserve credit for sticking with Nunez and helping him improve. I do not see star potential there and was puzzled when the Yanks wouldn't deal him, but I suppose they realize the Captain is not what he used to be defensively.

SJK: How does Mason Williams compare to Slade Heathcott when he was drafted in 2009?

JM: Not comparable. Totally different physically. Yes, both are CFs and plus runners. But, Heathcott defends better and throws better. Both are somewhat raw, but Williams has a better swing.

Williams just isn't physical enough at this point. I'd be surprised if he followed Heathcott's lead and played at Charleston in his first year. I expect Gumbs, Williams, and Culver to go to extended, then Staten Island or the GCL (Gumbs more likely GCL).

SJK: Two relievers drafted in 2010, Tommy Kahnle and Daniel Burawa, had good debuts in the NY-Penn League. Are they the top relief prospects in the system currently?

JM: Kahnle is one of them; you left out Chase Whitley, better prospect than Burawa, better command by a lot, good body. He's actually in the Handbook. He's the David Robertson of the 2010 draft (same area scout by the way). The top relief prospect in the system is one of the starters; I'd say Nova.

SJK: Is Brandon Laird starting material, or more of a bench player? How does Rob Segedin compare to Laird?

JM: I'm not a huge Segedin guy, but I was never a big Laird guy. Laird is a second-division regular. I got two Kevin Kouzmanoff comparisons on Laird, and one scout qualified it and said "better version," so if that's starting material in New York, then he's a starter. I think it depends on the makeup of the rest of your team. He has right-handed power; that's getting harder and harder to find domestically, according to the scouts I've talked to.

Segedin has some medical history and less raw power than Laird.

SJK: Kevin Mahoney seems to have a diverse and strong skill set. What are his chances of getting to the show?

JM:That name is a blast from the past; we loved Mahoney at Canisius, and he was the No. 2 prospect in the Coastal Plain League in 2008, one spot behind Deck McGuire and ahead of former Red Sox farmhand Chris McGuinnes (forget where they traded him). Mahoney for me is a good organizational player, but you're right in that he has no glaring tool that sticks out as a weakness. I think his big league ceiling is as an up-and-down guy, but he's not a bad sleeper. At 23, he better get going.

SJK: Word in prospect circles is that your abdominal muscles rival that of Jersey Shore's The Situation? Is that true?

JM: My abdominal muscles are more like a sad situation, frankly. I'm hoping the Wii Fit I got for my birthday helps in that regard. I haven't seen one of my ribs in years.

Many thanks to John for dropping some knowledge at NoMaas. For the most comprehensive source of prospect info, check out the brand new 2011 Baseball America Prospect Handbook.