The last time the Yankees promoted a homegrown infielder to their roster to play a major role, his name was Robinson Cano. Needless to say that promotion has gone well, so who else do the Yankees have lurking in their minor leagues as far as infielders go? One of those lurkers is third baseman Marcos Vechionacci. Vechionacci, now 21, is a 6’2, 170 lb third baseman with experience at SS and 2B and has the makings of a future gold glover. His defensive prowess is equal to modern day stars such as Eric Chavez and Scott Rolen, the two players he is most often compared to. Vechionacci was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Yankees pack in 2002 as a ripe 16 year old and has now spent 4 seasons in the Yankees minor league system. Vechionacci has had only moderate success in the minor leagues thus far as he is a career .258 hitter in his minor league career with 16 homers and 190 RBI’s in 1613 AB’s, as well as 40 stolen bases. Vechionacci came out of the gates strong, hitting .336 in the Yankees GCL Rookie League as an 18 year old and then .292 in low A Staten Island. However, he has failed to hit higher then .266 at any level since then, but has been able to move through the Yankees minor league system, ending up in AA Trenton at the finish of the 2007 season.
Make no mistake that Vechionacci’s claim to fame is his fielding, but he is believed to one day become a legitimate 5 tool player. Vechionacci also features a keen eye at the plate, but he also compliments that with plenty of K’s. This may keep Vechionacci from becoming a typical .300 hitter in the majors unless he cuts down on the K’s, but he could become something of a Troy Glaus hitter with Scott Rolen’s glove. Vechionacci has featured a clean bill of health throughout as well, never missing any significant time due to injury. Vechionacci could begin the 2008 season with the AA Trenton Thunder and with a good performance could quickly find himself in AAA Scraton/Wilkes-Barre and as one of the first men available as a replacement for the big club. The biggest variable for Vechionacci’s arrival date as a major player for the Yankees is whether Alex Rodriguez sticks around after this season with the Yankees or not. If A-Rod should leave, Vechionacci could be up as soon as next season, as the Yankees will hesitate less to rush him due to the steady defense he can deliver right away. However, if A-Rod wishes to remain in New York then Vechionacci could automatically find himself just as trade bait, as he’ll be blocked by A-Rod, Cano, and Jeter/ Alberto Gonzalez at all of the positions he seems capable of playing. Vechionacci will have to have a strong season in 2008 to become a main focus of the Yankees plans for the future regardless.
Make no mistake that Vechionacci’s claim to fame is his fielding, but he is believed to one day become a legitimate 5 tool player. Vechionacci also features a keen eye at the plate, but he also compliments that with plenty of K’s. This may keep Vechionacci from becoming a typical .300 hitter in the majors unless he cuts down on the K’s, but he could become something of a Troy Glaus hitter with Scott Rolen’s glove. Vechionacci has featured a clean bill of health throughout as well, never missing any significant time due to injury. Vechionacci could begin the 2008 season with the AA Trenton Thunder and with a good performance could quickly find himself in AAA Scraton/Wilkes-Barre and as one of the first men available as a replacement for the big club. The biggest variable for Vechionacci’s arrival date as a major player for the Yankees is whether Alex Rodriguez sticks around after this season with the Yankees or not. If A-Rod should leave, Vechionacci could be up as soon as next season, as the Yankees will hesitate less to rush him due to the steady defense he can deliver right away. However, if A-Rod wishes to remain in New York then Vechionacci could automatically find himself just as trade bait, as he’ll be blocked by A-Rod, Cano, and Jeter/ Alberto Gonzalez at all of the positions he seems capable of playing. Vechionacci will have to have a strong season in 2008 to become a main focus of the Yankees plans for the future regardless.
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