SHOCKER! BOBBY MITCHELL GONZO

Aimee Dilger | Times Leader

I didn't see this one coming, but the Yankees are parting ways with Scranton Wilkes-Barre's Bobby Mitchell.  Mitchell was their manager.  The story comes from the Times Leader:

"RailRiders manager Bobby Mitchell is out after just one season at the helm. The New York Yankees will not renew his contract when it runs out at the end of the year. 

Louriann Mardo-Zayat file photo | PawSox

'They didn’t renew it. I’m not really sure why or whatever. It happens,' Mitchell, 63, told the Times Leader in a phone interview on Monday. 'I was a little surprised, obviously. I’m not really sure. I didn’t get much of an explanation. “I enjoyed my time there. So I was disappointed.'”

What a bummer. Mitchell was one of the good ones. He was 179-103 with the Raidriders during his time there.  Pretty surprising.

Anyway... I thought I'd tell ya!

I LOVE THAT TEAM IN SCRANTON!

Photo: Times Leader

For my next and final installment on the Yankees farm, I head to Scranton-Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania... the home of the Triple-A Railriders.

Led by manager, Al Pedrique, the Railriders finished the season with a record of 86-55. Unfortunately, they fell short of a repeat championship, losing to the Durham Bulls.  Check this out from MILB.com:

Photo: Times Leader

"As they did all season, the SWB RailRiders (Triple-A/ New York Yankees) fought to the bitter end on Friday night at PNC Field, but fell short, 6-4, against the Durham Bulls in Game Four of the International League Governors' Cup Championship Series."

Here's the good news though; When the end of the year awards were announced, the Railriders had 2 guys bring home some nice hardware.  Tyler Wade and their manager in Pedrique.

Photo: Martin Griff

"The International League announced its end-of-year awards today and the SWB RailRiders (Triple-A/ New York Yankees) had two names included. Infielder Tyler Wade was named to the postseason All-Star Team at shortstop and Al Pedrique was voted Manager of the Year for the second straight season."

But after that award for Pedrique came new opportunity for him. After not receiving an interview shot for the managerial role for the Big Yankees this offseason, Pedrique bailed, leaving the organization for greener pastures. Pedrique is now the first base coach for Oakland A's. Not a bad gig.

Photo: Pinstriped Prospects

In response, the Railriders updated their coaching staff, naming Bobby Mitchell the new manager.

2018 will be a good year for the Railriders.  You just have to assume that momentum will help guide them again, and with the team they have, I have no doubt they can climb their way back to the championship... possibly even winning this time.

I have faith!

--Mike Carnesi
BYB Writer
Twitter: @sevn4evr

TRENTON THUNDER: GREAT NOW & ONLY GETTING BETTER!

If you've been reading me here at BYB, you know I've been checking in on the Yankees minor league clubs.  Here's some info on the Trenton Thunder on this cold Wednesday morning on the east coast.

Source: NJ.com Mercer

The Trenton Thunder is led by manager Bobby Mitchell.  This year they rolled their way to a franchise-best 92 game win season. Not too shabby! They also finished the season with a franchise-best 2.83 ERA.  Despite the record and ERA, the Thunder were swept in the Eastern League Championship Series by the Altoona Curve. Doesn't matter, Milb.com news has this nugget...

"The .657 winning percentage is the highest regular season winning percentage in franchise history."

Photo: Milb

For these efforts, Bobby Mitchell was awarded the Eastern League Manager of the Year.  More here:

"The Thunder, Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, and the Eastern League are pleased to announce that Manager Bobby Mitchell has been voted as the league's Manager of the Year in 2017. Mitchell is the third Thunder Manager to earn the league's Manager of the Year award following DeMarlo Hale in 1999 and Tony Franklin in 2012."

Photo: David Fenster

When all was said and done, there were 3 Thunder players that took home season awards. Domingo Acevedo, Zack Zehner and Cale Coshow.  All deserving. All played their hearts out.  More from Milb.com news on that:

John Blaine — File Photo — For The Trentonian

"...starting pitcher Domingo Acevedo has been named the winner of the Smith's ACE Hardware Pitcher of the Year award, outfielder Zack Zehner is the recipient of the 2017 OxiClean "Dirtiest Uniform of the Season" award, and pitcher Cale Coshow is the recipient of the 2017 Samuel J. Plumeri, Sr. Community Service award."

Photo: NJ.com

With the Thunder, Acevedo was 5-1 with a 2.38 ERA.  He was promoted to Scranton during the season.  Coshow, from Edmond, OK like former Yankee, now Ray... Ty Hensley, struck out 72 and only walked 22 in his Thunder season.  Zehner batted .260 with 11 homers for the Thunder.

It was a beautiful season for Trenton.  We tip our cap to this team, and hope they can win the whole thing next season.

--Michael Carnesi
BYB Writer
Twitter: @sevn4evr

GLEYBER TORRES SCRATCHED FROM LINEUP

Source: JUSTIN K. ALLER/GETTY IMAGES

Of course we don't like to lose games, particularly after winning 8 in a row.  And I am not diminishing our loss last night at all, but I am slightly more concerned about the news out of Trenton last evening.  According to the NY Daily News, "Yankees shortstop prospect Gleyber Torres was scratched from the lineup Tuesday for Double-A Trenton because of biceps tendinitis, the team announced. Torres was supposed to DH and bat third. He will have an MRI later to analyze the severity of the ailment."  Another player, another MRI and this is, as we reported earlier this week, is not a stat we want to have this season, or any season- #1 in MRIs that is.

Source: Butch Dill | USA Today Sports

Trenton Thunder Manager Bobby Mitchell told the Trentonian that he did not know how this came about.  "Torres felt his shoulder stiffen up during batting practice and will be evaluated to determine the severity of the injury, manager Bobby Mitchell said during his pregame availability."

Source: Staten Island Advance

We will keep a close eye on the Torres story as it develops, but as the YES Network reported after the Yankees loss to Chicago, this could send the shortstop prospect to the 10-day disabled list the same day pitching prospect James Kaprielian underwent Tommy John surgery.

Keep the faith, folks.




--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof