1982 Yankees Prospect Profiles

GENE NELSON
"Last season, a season in which he saw action with three different Yankee teams, Gene Nelson had a combined 8-1 record. He started as the finest rookie in spring training and he won the James P. Dawson Award. Once the final gun sounded, he found himself traveling to New York as the youngest player beginning the 1981 season on a major league roster. After a brief illness he made seven starts with the Yankees, won three games, lost but one and remained with the Bronx Bombers until the unwanted baseball strike hit the country.
After the strike had ended, Gene was lost in a numbers game and was sent down to Columbus. He continued to progress as he hurled a 4-0, team-leading 2.11 ERA season with the Clippers.
Hopefully this year nothing will stop Gene Nelson from bringing his major league potential to the Bronx."

-The New York Yankees Official 1982 Yearbook

"Nelson won the James P. Dawson Award in 1981 as the top rookie in spring training. He was on the Yankees' Opening Day roster and was the youngest player in the major leagues, and the first Yankee since Rollie Sheldon (1961) to make the jump from Class A to the majors.
He came down with an intestinal virus and was disabled on April 16, and pitched at Ft. Lauderdale on a 20-day rehab assignment. Gene was activated on May 4, making his major league debut at California with a win (the game was saved by Ron Davis, striking out a record eight consecutive batters). He recorded his first Yankee Stadium win on June 4 against Baltimore, pitching a 1-hit shutout into the ninth inning.
Gene was assigned to Columbus after the strike was over and was 4-0 with a team-leading 2.11 ERA. He won two games in the Clippers' five-game semi-final series, including the final game, before his recall to the Yankees.
Nelson was the 690th selection in the June 1978 draft. In 1980, he was the Yankees Minor League Pitcher of the Year, Topps Player of the Month for the Florida State League for July, and also an FSL All-Star. Gene had a 12-game win streak and struck out 17 at Miami on July 31.
Gene grew up in the Tampa, Florida area. He played Little League and Babe Ruth ball and was a Yankee fan as a youngster, though Nolan Ryan was his favorite player. Gene graduated from Pasco (Dade City, Fla.) High where he was baseball MVP three years.
His favorite ballpark is Yankee Stadium. He enjoys hunting, fishing and bowling."

-1982 New York Yankees Media Guide


BRAD GULDEN
"The winters in Minnesota, home of a bright, young Yankee catching prospect named Brad Gulden, are long and terribly cold.
The wait for warm weather and the eventual summer is much too long for 25-year-old Brad. Tomorrow never comes for some, but it's here for the 5'11", 175-pound fireplug. After a good season last year, Brad feels that 1982 will be the telltale year in his career.
The Yankees initially acquired Brad in 1979 from the Los Angeles Dodgers. Later that same season, due to the untimely and tragic death of Thurman Munson, the Yankees made an emergency call to Columbus and Brad was promoted to New York. In a 40-game span, Brad showed great promise and a need for more experience.
His overall effectiveness warrants a serious look by Yankee coaches and scouts this year."

-The New York Yankees Official 1982 Yearbook

"Gulden played both at Seattle and Spokane in 1981 before being repurchased by the Yankees from the Mariners in May. At Columbus he was the second leading hitter on the club with a .295 average and hit seven home runs in nine games from July 29-August 7. Brad was called up by the Yankees in late September but did not appear in any games.
In 1979 Brad was named the International League All-Star catcher. He was called up to the Yankees following the death of Thurman Munson on August 2.
The Minnesota native was a four-year starter at Chaska (MN) High. He was a pitcher, catcher and outfielder, and also played basketball and football. Brad played Little League and Babe Ruth ball in Carver (MN), and as a youngster rooted for the Twins and Tony Oliva.
Brad enjoys hunting, bowling and fishing."

-1982 New York Yankees Media Guide


STEVE BALBONI
"Balboni has already become a legend with his minor league power-hitting feats. Last year he led the International League in homers (33) and RBIs (98) before getting a September recall from the Yanks. In 1980, he led the Southern League in the same departments with 34 homers and 122 RBIs.
Still, there is some doubt if he can hit major league pitching consistently. Steve has trouble with a fastball across the letters. He will be given a shot as the right-handed hitting first baseman this spring.
Steve was born in Brockton, Mass."

-Bill Madden, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1982 Edition

"At 6'3" and 235 pounds, big Steve Balboni seems misplaced in a sport filled with speedsters and slimmed-down athletes. He's a throwback to the grand old days of power hitters such as Babe Ruth, Jimmie Foxx, Harmon Killebrew, Frank Howard and Boog Powell.
For three consecutive seasons, 25-year-old Steve Balboni led his respective leagues in both home runs and runs batted in. In his major league debut last season, he crushed a ball to Death Valley in Yankee Stadium for a monster triple. Yankee fans envision big Steve bringing his strength to Yankee Stadium very soon.
Good luck, Steve!"

-The New York Yankees Official 1982 Yearbook

"Balboni was recalled from Columbus last year on April 21 and made his major league debut on April 22 against Detroit at Yankee Stadium. His first major league at-bat was a triple to left center and he walked with the bases loaded later in the game for his first RBI. In his second major league game on April 27, Steve crushed an RBI double at Detroit; both RBIs were game-winners. He was optioned back to Columbus on April 28.
For the third consecutive season, Steve led his league (this time the International League) in home runs and RBIs and was named to the IL All-Star team as designated hitter. He hit two home runs in the same inning on July 6 against Rochester and was Yankee Minor League Player of the Week for June 25-July 1.
Steve made his pro debut in 1978, hitting just one home run in 60 games. In 1979 he was named a Florida State League All-Star, leading the league offensively (homers, RBIs, games, at-bats) and first basemen defensively. In 1980 Steve was named Yankee Minor League Player of the Year, Topps Southern League Player of the Year, Topps Class AA All-Star, Topps Southern League Player of the Month for May, Southern League MVP and All-Star first baseman. He led SL first basemen in fielding and his 122 RBIs were a league record.
Balboni was a three-sport standout at Memorial High (Manchester, New Hampshire) where he played against Joe Lefebvre. He attended Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida and played for Bill Livesey, Yankee Director of Player Development, and was a teammate of Lefebvre. MVP at Eckerd, Steve helped lead them to a second-place finish in the Division II College World Series in 1977."

-1982 New York Yankees Media Guide


ANDY MCGAFFIGAN
"McGaffigan emerged as the best of the Yankees' young pitchers not yet traded away. He was 8-6 with a 3.23 ERA at Columbus last year and impressed with his poise and command of pitches during a September look-see. Andy faces a big challenge to crack the Yankee rotation this spring, but most scouts agree he's not far away from being a bonafide major league pitcher- for someone.
Andy was born in West Palm Beach, Fla."

-Bill Madden, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1982 Edition

"In 1980, this 6'3", 195-pound right-hander was almost perfect. He was in his third season as a member of the Yankee organization, pitching at Nashville, earning a 15-5 record and 2.38 ERA and being named the Southern League's Pitcher of the Year. The allusion to perfection came when Andy tied a league record by winning 12 consecutive games. Twelve consecutive games!
Last season was another story for Andy. Plagued by elbow problems early in the year, he unfortunately found a home on the disabled list for the first two months of the season. Pulling himself together, the 26-year-old Floridian compiled an 8-6 record and 103 innings pitched. Confidently, toward the end of the season, the Yankees promoted him to the big leagues where he pitched well."

-The New York Yankees Official 1982 Yearbook

"McGaffigan was plagued by elbow problems in 1981 and spent over two months on the D.L. at the start of the season for Columbus. He won his first two and final five decisions for the Clippers and was recalled by the Yankees in September. Named Southern League Pitcher of the Year in 1980, Andy was named to the SL All-Star team and tied the league record with 12 consecutive wins, eight in relief.
Andy grew up in the West Palm Beach area and rooted for the Cardinals as a youngster, but Jim Palmer was his favorite player. He lists 'inconsistency' as his toughest opponent."

-1982 New York Yankees Media Guide


JAMIE WERLY
"A graduate of Harvard, Werly was a 9th round pick in the June 1977 free agent draft and currently pitches for the Columbus Clippers. Last season with the Nashville Sounds, he recorded a 13-11 record with a league leading 18 complete games, 222 innings pitched and 193 strikeouts. Jamie was named the Southern League's Pitcher of the Year."

-The New York Yankees Official 1982 Yearbook

"One of the finest right-handed pitching prospects in the Yankee organization is a 6'2", 185-pound Harvard graduate named Jamie Werly. Last season, with the Nashville Sounds, Jamie recorded a 13-11 record with a league leading 18 complete games, 222 innings pitched and 193 strikeouts. In tribute to his best efforts to date, he was named the Southern League's Pitcher of the Year.
The 23-year-old Werly came to the Yankees as a ninth round pick in the June 1977 Free Agent Draft. Climbing the ladder of success, Jamie has pitched for four different teams in the Yankee chain and he doesn't plan to stop until he has reached his ultimate goal: Yankee Stadium."

-The New York Yankees Official 1982 Yearbook

"Werly came back from injuries with a strong season in 1981. He led the Southern League in three pitching categories and was Yankee Minor League Pitcher of the Week, July 9-15. Jamie was named to the Southern League All-Star team and voted the league's Pitcher of the Year.
Jamie has been slowed by two major injuries. He missed the entire 1979 season as a result of major spinal surgery, and in 1980 was the leading pitcher in the Southern League when he suffered a freak nerve problem in his throwing arm, forcing him out of action for the remainder of the season. He has a career strikeout-to-walk ratio of 1.95 to 1.
Jamie grew up in Elmhurst, Illinois where he attended York Community High."

-1982 New York Yankees Media Guide


PETE FILSON (1981 Yankee Minor League Pitcher of the Year)
"Pennsylvania born and bred Peter Filson came to the Yankees via the Free Agent Draft in June of 1979. The 6'2", 175-pound left-hander found himself in Paintsville his first year as a Yankee and he recorded a league leading 9-0 record with a league leading 1.68 ERA. The next year, Pete began the baseball season in Greensboro where he hurled a perfect 3-0 record. Later that same season, he moved on to Ft. Lauderdale where he won 10 games and chalked up 86 strikeouts.
Last year, Pete began the season with Ft. Lauderdale, pitched in 11 contests there, had a 7-1, 1.99 ERA season and was elevated to Double-A ball. In Nashville, the 24-year-old whiz kid continued his winning ways with a 10-2 record and a 1.82 ERA. Overall, he was named the 1981 Yankee Minor League Pitcher of the Year."

-The New York Yankees Official 1982 Yearbook

"Filson was named Yankee Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 1981. He was Yankee Minor League Player of the Month for two consecutive months, June and July, and was Yankee Minor League Player of the Week, June 11-17. He tied for the Southern League lead in winning percentage (.833).
Pete led the Appalachian League in most pitching categories in 1979 and was named to the league All-Star team. He has a combined career minor league record of 41-12 (.774) in three seasons.
Pete grew up in Folsom, Pennsylvania where he attended Ridley High."

-1982 New York Yankees Media Guide


DON MATTINGLY (1981 Yankee Minor League Player of the Year)
"Don Mattingly's sparkling bat has produced three .300-plus seasons during his years as a Yankee farmhand. At Oneonta in 1979, this 5'11" 185-pounder hit .349 with 10 doubles. At Greensboro the following year, he hit a league leading .358 with 32 doubles, five triples, nine home runs and 105 RBIs. It was good enough for Don to be named the South Atlantic League's Most Valuable Player.
Last season, Don was named Player of the Year in the Yankee minor league system, having played at Nashville where he hit .314 and led the Southern League in doubles with 35. His slick fielding both at first base and in the outfield give him double value in his pinstriped future."

-The New York Yankees Official 1982 Yearbook

"Mattingly was Yankee Minor League Player of the Year in 1981. He led the Southern League in doubles and was named to the All-Star team, and was also named to the Topps Class AA All-Star team as an outfielder.
Don was drafted late as teams expected him to accept a college scholarship. Signed by Yankee scouts Jax Robertson and Gust Poulos, he has a .337 (407-for-1207) career batting average.
Mattingly attended Evansville Memorial High where he played baseball, basketball and football. He played Little League, Babe Ruth and American Legion ball in Evansville. His brother Randy played pro football.
Don enjoys racquetball."

-1982 New York Yankees Media Guide


TODD DEMETER
"The Yankees' top draft choice in June 1979, this slick fielder and power hitter is the son of former major leaguer Don Demeter. His home is Oklahoma, traditional breeding ground of Yankee talent."

-The New York Yankees Official 1982 Yearbook

"Demeter played his second full season at Greensboro, hit 19 home runs and led South Atlantic League first basemen in fielding (.998). He was Yankee Minor League Player of the Week, July 30-August 5.
The Yankees' top draft choice in June 1979 (the Yanks had no 1st round pick), he's the son of former major leaguer Don Demeter, who played 11 years with the Dodgers, Phillies, Tigers, Red Sox and Indians. Todd grew up in Oklahoma City where he attended Grant High School and was Oklahoma High School Baseball Player of the Year in 1979. He was signed to his first pro contract by Jerry Walker, now Yankee pitching coach. As a youngster, Todd was a fan of the Oakland A's and Bert Campaneris."

-1982 New York Yankees Media Guide


CURT KAUFMAN
"This minor league bullpen ace has a three-year mark of 24-9 with 29 saves and a 2.39 ERA. Curt was signed as a free agent out of Iowa State in 1979."

-The New York Yankees Official 1982 Yearbook

"Another excellent season for Kaufman in 1981, although slowed somewhat by rib injuries. He has been used primarily in relief and has strong strikeout-to-innings pitched and strikeout-to-walk ratios.
Curt attended Harlan (Iowa) Community High where he played baseball and basketball, and played Little League and Babe Ruth ball in West Phalia, Iowa. At Iowa State he played against Paul Molitor, Steve Howe and Tim Lollar. He was signed by Yankee scout Roger Olsen.
He enjoys hunting and autos. His father is a farmer and Curt plans a career in farming following baseball."

-1982 New York Yankees Media Guide


OTIS NIXON
"Otis fits into the Yankees' speed plans, stealing 138 bases in the last two seasons. He has led his league in walks for the last three seasons.
He was drafted by the Yankees in the first round of the secondary phase in June 1979."

-The New York Yankees Official 1982 Yearbook

"Nixon led his league in walks for the third consecutive season and stole a career high 71 bases in 1981. In 1980, he was the South Atlantic League All-Star second baseman.
Otis attended West Columbus High in Evergreen, North Carolina. He played baseball, football and basketball, and was named MVP in baseball and in football his senior year. He played Little League, Babe Ruth and American Legion ball in Evergreen and was a Yankee fan and a Willie Mays fan as a youngster. His brother Robert plays in the Mariners organization."

-1982 New York Yankees Media Guide


MIKE PATTERSON
"Mike was part of the Revering-for-Spencer-and-Underwood trade with Oakland last season. An outstanding defensive outfielder, he had 37 extra-base hits in 94 games for Columbus last year."

-The New York Yankees Official 1982 Yearbook

"Patterson began the 1981 season with Oakland and was traded to the Yankees organization on May 20. At Columbus he had 37 extra-base hits in 94 games. He hit a grand slam against Pawtucket on June 19. Mike spent six and a half years in the A's organization before being traded to the Yankees.
Mike graduated from Dorsey High in Las Angeles. He didn't play baseball there until the 11th grade and didn't start, then was voted most improved his senior year; he hit a triple in Dodger Stadium his senior year in the Los Angeles city playoffs. Mike also played Little League and Connie Mack ball in LA.
He works as a recreation and parks director in the off-season. Mike enjoys drawing, and would like to get into art production after his baseball career."

-1982 New York Yankees Media Guide


TED WILBORN
"Last season Ted led the Southern League in runs scored and set personal career highs in games, at-bats, hits, doubles, homers, RBIs and walks. He also stole 43 bases last year."

-The New York Yankees Official 1982 Yearbook

"Wilborn had his most productive year at the plate in 1981, playing at AA Nashville. He posted career highs in every category except walks and stolen bases and led the Southern League in runs scored.
Ted got his first major league hit on October 4, 1980 off Aurelio Lopez at Yankee Stadium. At Oneonta in 1978, he stole 57 bases in just 65 games to lead the New York-Penn League, only six shy of the league record, and was named Topps New York-Penn League Player of the Month in August. He started switch-hitting that season.
Wilborn played basketball and football, as well as baseball, at C.K. McClatchy High School in Sacramento, where he grew up. His father is a high school principal. Ted was a Giant fan as a youngster, his favorite being Willie Mays.
Ted enjoys tennis and watching football."

-1982 New York Yankees Media Guide


SCOTT BRADLEY
"This native of Essex Falls, New Jersey was drafted in the 3rd round last June by the Yankees out of the University of North Carolina. Scott hit .308 at Oneonta in his first taste of professional baseball."

-The New York Yankees Official 1982 Yearbook


BEN CALLAHAN
"Ben was selected by the Yankees in the 31st round of the June 1980 draft. Last season he led the Florida State League with 17 wins. In two pro seasons, Ben has a 23-9 record, 15 complete games in 31 starts and a 2.47 ERA."

-The New York Yankees Official 1982 Yearbook


TOM DODD
"This native of Portland, Oregon was selected by the Yankees in the 1st round of the secondary phase in January 1980. Tom led the South Atlantic League with 29 homers last year and also had 95 RBIs in just 103 games."

-The New York Yankees Official 1982 Yearbook


JEFF REYNOLDS
"Jeff was named MVP in the South Atlantic last year, leading the league with 103 RBIs. He also batted .306 and hit 26 homers.
He was selected by the Yankees in the 4th round of the January 1980 draft."

-The New York Yankees Official 1982 Yearbook


STEFAN WEVER
"Pitching for Ft. Lauderdale and Nashville last season, Stefan combined for a 12-5 record with a 2.08 ERA. He was born in West Germany and resides in San Francisco. He was the Yankees' 6th round pick in June 1979."

-The New York Yankees Official 1982 Yearbook


KELLY SCOTT
"Last season Kelly won 16 regular season games and two postseason games, the most in the Yankee system. Signed as a free agent following the June 1980 draft, he pitched a no-hitter for Greensboro last year."

-The New York Yankees Official 1982 Yearbook


REX HUDLER
"Rex was the Yankees' top choice in the June 1978 draft. He hit .297 at Ft. Lauderdale last season, earning Florida State League All-Star honors.
He's a native of California."

-The New York Yankees Official 1982 Yearbook


PHIL LOMBARDI
"A native of Granada Hills, California, Phil was the Yankees' 3rd round pick in June 1981. Along with his outstanding defensive abilities, he revealed his bat potential last fall in the Instructional League."

-The New York Yankees Official 1982 Yearbook


GUY ELSTON
"Guy is being groomed for bullpen work. Last year he was 9-0 with 11 saves and an 0.60 ERA for Paintsville. He appeared in 27 games, working 45 innings, striking out 67 and walking only seven as a first-year player."

-The New York Yankees Official 1982 Yearbook


CLAY CHRISTIANSEN
"Last season for Ft. Lauderdale, Clay won 16 games, completing 14 with a 2.28 ERA. He was born and resides in Kansas and was selected by the Yankees in the 15th round of the June 1980 draft."

-The New York Yankees Official 1982 Yearbook


JOHN ELWAY
"Elway was the Yankees' 1st pick in June 1981 and is playing this summer at Oneonta. He attends Stanford where he played baseball and football and was an All-American quarterback."

-The New York Yankees Official 1982 Yearbook