OTIS NIXON
"Converted from a second baseman into an outfielder, it didn't slow him down offensively. Nixon hit .291 with 94 stolen bases at Columbus (AAA). He split 1982 between Nashville (AA) and Columbus, combining for 107 stolen bases and 118 walks, and has stolen 339 bases in five minor league seasons.
Speed must run in the family. His brother Donnell stole 141 bases for Bakersfield in the Seattle organization last season, breaking the previous pro record but finishing one behind St. Louis farmhand Vince Coleman, who had 142 thefts for Macon of the South Atlantic League. Born in Evergreen, North Carolina, Otis hit .143 in 14 at-bats with the Yankees last season."
-Tracy Ringolsby, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1984 Edition
DENNIS RASMUSSEN
"In each of the last three season, Dennis Rasmussen has been involved in a major New York Yankees trade.
In November 1982 he was sent to the Yankees by the Angels as the player to named later for Tommy John.
He was sent to the Padres for infielder Edwin Rodriguez in August 1983 in exchange for pitcher John Montefusco.
And then on March 30 of this year he came back to the Yankees as part of a trade with San Diego for Graig Nettles.
Dennis Lee Rasmussen is a large (6-7, 230), young (25), left-handed, power (550 strikeouts in 597.2 innings of professional baseball) pitcher.
Last season he was the ace of the Columbus staff before he was traded to the Padres. He led the International League in strikeouts (187 in 181 IP) and tied for the league lead in wins (13) and starts (28). His 187 strikeouts led all triple-A pitchers in 1983.
A college standout at Creighton University in Omaha, Rasmussen was the top draft choice of the California Angels in June 1980. It took him just four short seasons to get a taste of the big leagues (0-0, 1.98 ERA, 13.2 IP, 13 K with San Diego last September). And 1984 may just be Dennis' year to change his label from 'major league prospect' to 'major league pitcher.'"
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
BOBBY MEACHAM
"Yankee fans did not see enough of Bobby Meacham in 1983, despite the fact that the lithe infielder appeared in 22 games late in the season. And- no pun intended- the opposition also didn't see too much of Meacham when he got on base- he was off and flying towards second. Meacham was given the green light eight times, and stole second eight times.
He has extraordinary acceleration and supreme confidence as a base stealer. Many rookies, or young players blessed with blazing speed, seem to be hesitant, fearful of making a mistake. Meacham merely ambles off first with no outward sign of nervousness. He rarely tips off his steal move, but when he gets underway, he is at full speed on his first step.
In a day of specialization, Meacham is an important man. He will never be the designated hitter, but he can fill in at short, second and third, rest a regular, and run and steal a key base in the late innings of a close game. If a Yankee regular draws a two-out walk, you can bet that Meacham will pinch run and set for second- and make it, if history teaches us anything. Thus, a walk becomes a double.
If you want to see more of Bobby Meacham in 1984, you had better not bite into your hot dog too long- or he'll be on second before you taste the mustard."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
"Meacham began the 1983 season at Columbus after a fine showing at spring training. He was brought up to the Yankees on June 29 when Willie Randolph was disabled. Meacham played shortstop as a defensive replacement on June 30 at Yankee Stadium against Baltimore in his major league debut. He was sent back to Columbus on July 12 and recalled to the Yankees on July 16, but returned to Columbus later the same day when the Yankees purchased Larry Milbourne from Philadelphia.
Bobby was recalled from Columbus on August 19 when Andre Robertson was disabled and returned to Columbus on August 20 when Bert Campaneris was activated off the disabled list. He was recalled to the Yankees on September 2, had his first major league at-bat on September 3 in Seattle and had his first major league hit and RBI in Cleveland on September 18.
He was the top draft pick of St. Louis in 1981, playing two seasons at Class A before his trade to the Yankees. Meacham was named South Atlantic League All-Star shortstop in 1981 and Florida State League All-Star shortstop in 1982.
Meacham graduated from Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, CA in 1978. He attended San Diego State for three years, majoring in business finance, and was named an All-American in baseball. Bobby was signed to his first pro contract by Marty Keough."
-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide
BRIAN DAYETT (1983 Yankee Minor League Player of the Year)
"If you happen to drop by Yankee Stadium sometime this season, and see a muscular player wearing number 62 trot out onto the field, you will most likely say, 'Oh my, the Yankees went out and bought Steve Garvey.'
No, no such luck. But take a good look at that powerfully built young man, because you may be seeing a lot of him in the future. He is name is Brian Dayett, and he is one of batting instructor Lou Piniella's pet projects. Piniella will not be able to teach the 5-10, 185-pounder how to hit the long ball because Dayett already knows. He was the Yankees' Minor League Player of the Year in 1983 and led the International League in homers (35), RBIs (108) and total bases (281) while patrolling the outfield for the Columbus Clippers.
His ability is such that in spring training, Piniella actually gave thought of taking himself off the 25-man roster and having Dayett put on it. Piniella realizes that if he cannot hit (hard to believe, isn't it?), a strong young man like Dayett might be better equipped to help the Yankees.
Whether or not Dayett makes the team in 1984 is problematical, of course, but it is a lead pipe cinch that when the rosters expanded on September 1, this Steve Garvey look-alike will be at Yankee Stadium.
Some day, he may be here for good."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
"Dayett was the top player in the International League at Columbus, winning the league's Star of Stars Award. He led the International League with 281 total bases, 108 RBI and 35 homers, and finished fifth with 28 doubles. He was named an IL All-Star outfielder, was MVP in the International League All-Star Game and won the Sweet 16 AAA All-Star award. Brian was also named Yankees Minor League Player of the Year for 1983.
Brian was promoted to the Yankees on September 10 and had a pinch-hit single against Baltimore at Yankee Stadium on September 11 in his first major league at-bat. In the second game of a doubleheader at Cleveland on September 18, he went 3-for-5 including a triple for four RBI, including the game winner.
In 1978 Dayett was named to the New York-Penn League All-Star team. In 1982 at Nashville, he was named to the Southern League All-Star team and named league MVP.
Brian graduated from Valley Regional High in Deep River, Connecticut in 1975. He attended St. Leo's College in Florida and was signed by Yankee scout Bill Livesey."
-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide
CLAY CHRISTIANSEN
"Christiansen was selected by the Yankees in the 15th round of the June 1980 free agent draft. Last year, his fourth pro season, he played the entire year at AAA. Clay has been converted to relief pitching."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
"1983 was his fourth pro season. Christiansen played the entire year at AAA Columbus, and for the first time in his career saw considerable action out of the bullpen, pitching 13 games in relief.
Clay has progressed steadily through the Yankee minor league system, moving up a classification each season. In 1981 he was second in the Florida State League in wins with 16, trailing teammate Ben Callahan's 17. In 1982, he tied for the Southern League lead in wins (16) with teammate Stefan Wever and also tied for the league lead for fielding among pitchers with a perfect 1.000 percentage.
Christiansen graduated from Columbus (Kansas) Unified High School in 1976 where he participated in baseball, basketball, football and track. He attended the University of Kansas (Lawrence, KS) and was signed by Yankee scout Russ Sehon."
-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide
REX HUDLER
"Selected by the Yankees in the first round of the June 1978 free draft, Hudler is in his seventh year of pro ball. Last year he reached AAA for the first time and batted .305 in 40 games."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
"He began 1983 at Ft. Lauderdale (his fifth season with Ft. Lauderdale) and was promoted near the end of the season to the International League for his first taste of AAA. Rex responded well, batting .305 in 40 games.
Rex was the Yankees' No. 1 draft choice in June 1978 and was signed by Yankee scouts Jack Butterfield and Gary Hughes, and in '78 was named the New York-Penn League All-Star shortstop. He was also named to the 1981 Florida State League All-Star team. Hudler has played shortstop, second base and third base.
Hudler graduated in 1978 from Bullard High School in Fresno, California where he played baseball, football and soccer."
-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide
MIKE PAGLIARULO
"Selected by the Yankees in the 6th round of the June 1981 free agent draft, Pagliarulo is in his fourth year of pro ball. Last season he played at AA and led the Southern League in fielding. Mike was impressive at Yankee spring training camp this year."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
"Pagliarulo played his first full season at Nashville in 1983. He led Southern League third basemen in fielding with a .954 percentage in 133 games with 433 total chances, 98 putouts and 315 assists. Pagliarulo played in a career high 135 games with career highs of 450 at-bats, 82 runs, 117 hits and 80 RBI.
In 1982 he was named utility infielder on the South Atlantic All-Star team. Mike was signed in 1981 by Yankee scout Fred Ferreira.
Mike graduated in 1978 from Medford (Mass.) High School, where he played baseball and basketball, and attended the University of Miami (Coral Gables, FL). His father Charles Pagliarulo was an infielder in the Chicago Cubs organization in 1958."
-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide
KEITH SMITH
"Signed by the Yankees in 1979, Smith is in his sixth year of pro ball. Last year he played his first full season at AA and hit eight homers after hitting none in his first four years."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
"Smith played his first full season at AA with Nashville in 1983 and was fifth in the Southern League with 92 walks. Primarily a shortstop (137 games), he also played four games at second base. Keith hit a career high .258 with career highs of four triples, eight homers,38 RBI and 22 stolen bases.
Keith has played five seasons as a shortstop in the Yankee organization and in his first four seasons never tripled or homered. He was originally signed by Don Lindeberg for the 1979 season.
Smith graduated from Canyon Country (CA) High School in 1979."
-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide
ORESTES DESTRADE
"Signed as a free agent in June 1981, Destrade was born in Havana and grew up in Miami. Last year he was the Florida State League All-Star first baseman and led the league with 15 game winning RBI."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
"Destrade played the entire 1983 season at Class A Ft. Lauderdale and was named the Florida State All-Star first baseman. He tied for first in the FSL with 15 game winning RBI, tied for first with 82 walks, was third with 18 homers and fifth with 212 total bases. In 1981 he was named the Appalachian League All-Star first baseman.
Orestes attended Coral Park High School and Christopher Columbus High School in Miami where he graduated in 1980. He was signed by Yankee scout Fred Ferreira."
-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide
STAN JAVIER
"Javier was acquired with Bobby Meacham in a trade with the St. Louis organization for three minor leaguers in December 1982. He batted .311 at Class A last season. Stan is the son of former Cardinal second baseman Julian Javier."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
"1983 was Javier's first season in the Yankee organization. He led the South Atlantic League in doubles with 34, finished third with 109 runs, fifth with 244 total bases and ninth with a .311 batting average.
Javier played his first two seasons in the Cardinal organization and in 1982 was named to the Appalachian League All-Star team. He was signed to his first pro contract by Cardinal scout Lee Thomas.
Stan graduated in 1981 from La Altagracia High School in San Francisco Macoris in the Dominican Republic. He played varsity baseball, basketball and volleyball. He played amateur baseball in the Roberto Clemente League and was selected to the regional all-star team. Stan is the son of former Cardinal second baseman Julian Javier."
-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide
MATT WINTERS
"A native of Williamsville, New York, Winters had 29 homers and 99 RBI at AAA last year. He was Yankees Minor League Player of the Year in 1982."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
"In his first experience at AAA in 1983, Winters played the entire season at Columbus. He was second in the International League with 29 homers and with 112 walks.
He was named a South Atlantic League All-Star outfielder in 1980,'81 and '82 and was also named SAL Most Valuable Player in 1982. Matt was originally signed by Yankee scout Al Cuccinello for the 1978 season.
Matt graduated from Williamsville (NY) South High School in 1978."
-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide
VIC MATA
"Signed by the Yankees for the 1978 season, Mata is now in his seventh pro season. He played at AA for the first time last year and batted over .300."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
SCOTT BRADLEY
"Bradley is a native of Essex Fells, New Jersey and was the Yankees' second selection in the June 1981 free agent draft. Now in his fourth pro season, he played the entire year at AA in 1983. Scott was an All-American at the University of North Carolina."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
DAN PASQUA
"Born in Yonkers, Pasqua now lives in Harrington Park, New Jersey. He attended William Patterson College in Wayne, New Jersey and was the Yankees' third selection in the June 1982 free agent draft. Now in just his third pro season, Dan had 54 extra base hits and 84 RBI at Ft. Lauderdale last year."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
TIM BIRTSAS
"Birtsas was the Yankees' first selection in the June 1982 free agent draft. Last year, only his second pro season, he was named a Florida State League All-Star and led the league with 160 strikeouts. Tim attended Michigan State."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
TOM BARRETT
"The Yankees' 26th selection in the June 1982 free agent draft, Barrett is entering his third pro season. Last year he led the Florida State League with a .327 batting average and has a .341 two-year combined batting average. Tom is the brother of Red Sox infielder Marty Barrett."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
JOHNNY BALDWIN
"Signed by the Yankees as a free agent in July 1982, Baldwin is now in just his third pro season. Last year he saved 19 games, second in the South Atlantic League, and was named the All-Star reliever."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
ERIC PLUNK
"The Yankees' fourth selection in the June 1981 free agent draft, Plunk is now in his fourth pro season. Last year at Ft. Lauderdale he struck out 109 batters and led the Florida State League with five shutouts."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
BOB TEWKSBURY
"Tewksbury was the Yankees' 19th selection in the June 1981 free agent draft and is now in his fourth pro season. Last year at Ft. Lauderdale and Nashville he combined for a 7-1 record with a 2.15 ERA. In 1982, Bob was Yankees Minor League Pitcher of the Year with a 15-4 record and 1.88 ERA at Ft. Lauderdale."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
KELLY SCOTT
"Kelly was signed as a free agent in June 1980 and is now in his fifth pro season. Last year he was 14-7 with a 2.92 ERA and 113 strikeouts at Nashville. Kelly pitched a no-hitter in 1981."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
JUAN ESPINO
"Espino began 1983 at Columbus and was called up to the Yankees on May 18 when Butch Wynegar was disabled with a bruised arm. On May 24 at California he was 3-for-5 with an RBI (his first major league hit). He was returned to Columbus on May 27 when Wynegar was activated, and recalled to the Yankees on September 1. Juan hit his first major league homer on September 7 at Milwaukee off Jaime Cocanower.
Signed by Epy Guerrero for the 1975 season, Juan has spent his whole career in the Yankee organization. He was first called up to the Yankees in 1982 when Rick Cerone was injured."
-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide
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