Just a quick look at some of the prospects the Yankees have traded away.

Austin Jackson

After a torrid start, Jackson, the past two weeks has cooled off considerably. Still Jackson is batting .331, including 3 triples and has 6 stolen bases. he has taken well to playing in center field and should improve with time. He does however, strikeout way too much, leading the AL with 47 whiffs.

Jose Tabata

The key component in the Xavier Nady/Damaso Marte trade, the 21-year-old Tabata is considered one of the jewels in the Pirate farm system. And with reason. Tabata is batting it around in AAA Indianapolis at a .323 clip. A natural right fielder with a strong arm, Tabata projects to a good contact hitter with some decent power.

Ian Kennedy

Kennedy has taken to Arizona in a big way this season. Mixing in his curveball and changeup more than he previously did, Kennedy has improved his K/9 ratio to almost 8 a game—but also giving up a HR/9 ratio of 1.4. With a ERA at 3.24, and a fastball that barely scrapes 90 mph, Kennedy seems a natural National League pitcher and should have a good career there.

Melky Cabrera

There’s no kind way to say this: Melky has lost it by leaving New York. maybe it was having his friend Robinson Cano with him, maybe its the unfamiliarity with NL pitchers. Who knows? Point being, Melky stinks. Every single offensive number is down…by a lot. Batting .193, Melky looks lost. Still 25, Melky can come back and be just fine. But if this keeps up, it wont be with the Braves.

Tyler Clippard

Traded for Jonathan Albaladejo way back in 2007, Clippard has come around as a decent reliever. Once a top ten Yankee prospect, his career as a Yankee was brief and undistinguished. However, the last two years in Washington have brought about a change in Clippard, pitching to a 2.55 ERA the last two season. Armed with a nice hard slider, Clippard has a nice 10.2 K/9 ratio. He also has, however, a scary BB/9 ratio of 5.1. Just 25, Clippard needs to improve his walk ratio if he has a true shot at becoming a closer.

Michael Dunn

Part of the Javier Vasquez trade, the 25-year old lefty is simply owning AAA-ball. A reliever, Dunn has a .39 ERA and 23 Ks in 18.1 IP. Armed with a fastball that can touch 95, it will be interesting to see how Dunn pitches if and when the Braves call him up.

Arodys Vizcaino

The main chip in the Javier Vasquez trade—and the Yankees no. 3 prospect according to Baseball America before he was traded—Vizcaino has pitched to the tune of a 3.71 ERA. Erratic, Vizcaino still has 40 Ks in 43 IP. He has only given up 1 HR so far. After a poor start on the 13th, Vizcaino pitched a 8-inning shutout. Armed with a fastball that touches 95, scouts feel as he matures—he’s not even 20 until November—Vizcaino could add some mph to it.

Phil Coke

Lefty Phil Coke is pitching fine in Detroit, earning a 3.32 ERA so far. A fly-ball pitcher, Coke seems comfortable in spacious Comerica Park. Batters are hitting .239 off of Coke and he has yet to give up a HR yet this year. Batters are just hitting .167 off of Coke in a tie game and just .83 in “clutch” situations.

Second-guessing is easy, but just one comment. For these guys, the Yankees have gotten, Curtis Granderson, Javier Vazquez, Xavier Nady, Damaso Marte, Jonathan Albaladejo and Boone Logan. Just something to think about.

Paul Catalano is an aspiring sportswriter who’s day job is as Production Manager for Field & Stream, Outdoor Life & Shot Business magazines. He has written often for his own blog at And a Player to be Named Later since 2007. His articles have been picked up by Dugout Central, Foxsports.com, Lindys.com among others. Before that, Paul got married to the lovely Elizabeth Ryan, got his Master’s in Writing from Emerson College, attended his first Yankee game at 9 years old, got his first base hit at 5 years old and was born.

Paul Catalano

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Tags: Arodys Vizcaino, Austin Jackson, Ian Kennedy, Jose Tabata, Melky Cabrera, Michael Dunn, New York Yankees, Phil Coke, Tyler Clippard