This rattled me.
I called for a mental booth review. I pondered that wondrous word: "if..." and then its brother... "could..." and then the kicker: "ranked prospect. " I waited 10 minutes. Then came the decision: Upon further review, the call stands.
Mark my words: If Anthony Volpe has a great season, he could indeed achieve that fabled, lofty, august summit of ballyhooed hoopla. A top-ranked prospect!
So... you're wondering if there is a reason for this parlor game, of killing time by torturing each individual second?
Well, I just want to note that, lockout or not, the Yankee bullshit pipeline is still pumping, 24-7. And if Anthony Volpe - or Jasson Dominiquez, or Dopey Dildox for that matter - has an incredible season, yes, the Yankees will climb a mountain of ether. And before we drench the manager in Gatorade, let's think...
Here are the Top 10 Yankee prospects of 2016 from John Sickels, MILB.com's wanker - I mean RANKER! I choose 2016 not to cherry pick, but because by now, we pretty much know the fates of these burgeoning stars.
1. Gary Sanchez.
2. Jorge Mateo
3. Aaron Judge
4. James Kaprielian
5. Domingo Acevedo
6. Rob Refsnyder
7. Wilkerman Garcia
8. Dustin Fowler
9. Kyle Holder
10. Ian Clarkin
Wow. An epic list! Each of these fellows could inspire a Shakespearian tragedy, or at least a Sam Raimi trilogy. I mean, Brigadoon Refsnyder! And Dustin Fowler! whose mangled debut made Joe Girardi weep in the dugout. We still wonder Kaprielian's fate. And Aaron Judge! And Gary... oh, Gary...
Listen: I consider myself a prospect hugger. No apologies about it, either. And my reason is ironclad:
I don't want another 2009. I want another 1996.
Sure, a world championship would be nice - I mean, it's been 11 fucking years. But I want the Yankees to build a team that wins two or three rings, the kind of dynasty that their history demands. That's what separates the Yankees from - well - the world champion Braves.
And that's why these prospects - like it or not - are the most important players on the 2022 Yankee roster. And this winter, they need one thing from us.
Space.
Last year, Volpe vaulted from of nowhere to become a long term hope at shortstop. Oswaldo Peraza took another step toward the same. As for Dominquez, he's still so low in the minors that it's almost a joke to pencil him in to a meaningful future. Until he's real, he's Jackson Melian, Dermis Garcia, oh, don't make me go to the list...
The NY Football Giants just "retired" their general manager after four horrible seasons, much of which resulted from one recurring mistake: Dave Gettleman always acted as if the Giants were one player away from contending. He never built from the ground up. He's now a legitimate NY sports pariah. He'll be remembered that way until the day the Times publishes his obit. Sad.
The Yankees need to rebuild. That means from ground up. One player won't do it. We need an influx of youth.
And nothing threatens this more than hype.