Nick Johnson officially signs

Here is the official press release from the Yankees: The New York Yankees signed today 1B/DH Nick Johnson. Nick 31 was third in the majors last season with a 426 obp combined between Washington and Florida. He trailed only AL MVP Joe Mauer(444) and NL MVP Albert Pujols(443). He placed 6th in the NL with 99 walks while batting a career high 291 with 24 doubles, 2 triples, 8 homeruns and 62 rbi's. The Sacremento native began 2009 with the Nationals batting 295(104 for 353) with 6 homeruns, 44 rbi's and a 408 obp in 98 games before being traded with cash on July 31st to the Marlins in exchange for left handed pitcher Aaron Thompson. In 35 games for Florida he hit 279 with 2 homeruns, 18 rbi's, 36 walks and a 477 obp. Johnsons 402 career on base percentage since 2001 his rookie season is 8th among players with at least 3,000 plate appearances over the span. He had his best overall season in 2006 with Washington, batting 290 and having career bests in games played(147), plate appearances(628),at-bats, hits, doubles(46), homeruns(23), rbi(77), stolen bases(10) and walks(110). His 428 on-base percentage was a career best and the second highest single-season mark in Washington franchise history behind Tim Raines 429 in 1987. Despite the numerous career highs, Johnson season was cut short on Sept 23, 2006 by a fractured right femur which forced him to miss the entire 2009 season. Johnson wwho is a lefthanded batter, is a 292 career hitter with 16 homeruns and a 424 on-base percentage against left-handed pitching and a 266 career hitter wiht 73 homeruns and a 394 on-base percentage against righ tnaded pitching. he owns a 992 career fielding percentage, having committed just 48 errors in 5,719 career chances. He began his professional career in the Yankees organization. after being selected by the club in the 3rd round of the 1996 First-year player draft. In 3 major league seasons with the Yankees from 2001-03, he batted 256 with 36 doubles, 31 homeruns, 113 rbi, 125 walks and a 376 on-base percentage. He posted a team leading 422 on-base percentage in his final year with the club before being traded on December 4, 2003 with outfielder Juan Rivera and lefthanded pitcher Randy Choate to the Montreal Expos in exchange for right-handed pitcher Javier Vazquez. In 8 major league seasons with the Yankees, Montreal/Washington(2004-06, 08-09) and Florida(2009) he owns a 273 career batting avg with 165 doubles, 5 triples, 89 homeruns, 379 rbi, 27 stolen bases and 487 walks. The Yankees 40 man roster now stands at 38 players.

Yankees Draft Picks

The baseball draft is different then any other sport in that most guys don't make an impact for several years. In Football and Basketball especially guys get drafted and can make an immediate impact in the next season. In baseball it is tough, you see guys get drafted in late rounds and become great and you see first round picks never make it. The Yankees and other teams like the Red Sox and Mets and Dodgers have an advantage in that they can overpay guys to get them to sign because the slotting system is screwed up but they have the disadvantage of never picking high. The Yankees are always one of the last teams to pick so they never have a chance to sign a guy like Stephen Strasburg etc. The Yankees signed 13 of their top 14 picks and tonight announced they have signed a couple of later round picks. I know people like to go nuts over this but it is good to get these guys signed and into your system. The Yankees have guys like Ramiro Pena and Francisco Cervelli who I am sure when they were drafted no one thought much of them but they made an impact on the Yankees this year. I follow the minor league teams and like to see the young guys come up and make an impact but don't go too nuts over the draft picks, just wait and see what happens before you pass judgement.

Cape Cod Baseball

The Yankees play a 8:00PM ESPN Sunday night baseball game tonight so there wont be any game posts for a while. I forgot to post this the other day but there was a good post on the Lohud Yankees Blog about some of the Yankees draft picks that have been playing in the Cape Cod League this summer. The Cape Cod League for those who don't know is the oldest and best amateur league out there. I have been to a few games up there and it is worth going too. This is really baseball at its most pure and best, you don't pay admission but they do send around a hat in the crowd for donations and you can donate whatever you would like. My Parents own a home in Cape Cod and that is how I have been to a few games, each team in the different towns have their own uniqueness and you get to talk to the players and get autographs. IF you look at all the major leaguers that have played there it is amazing and you are probably seeing at least a couple future major leaguers so check out the post and also check out www.capecodbaseball.org