2011 Yankees Uniform Numbers

Uniform numbers are an iconic representations for Yankee fans.

So who is wearing what number for the Yankees? 

Let’s take a look at some of the changes for 2011 spring training season:

Highest number: 97 - Austin Crum, center fielder

Lowest number: 12 - Eric Chavez

Changed numbers:

Eduardo Nunez, from 12 to 67

Francisco Cervelli, from 29 to 17

New numbers:

18 – Andruw Jones

22 – Mark Prior

26 – Ronnie Belliard, infielder

29 – Rafael Soriano

35 – Neal Cotts (first player to wear this # since Mike Mussina)

36 – Freddy Garcia

38 – Buddy Carlye

39 – Brian Anderson, ex-outfielder converted to a pitcher

40 – Bartolo Colon (usual # from his past)

41 – Andy Sisco, pitcher

43 – Luis Ayala (Damaso Marte’s # who will be off this year via injury)

53 – Gustavo Molina, catcher

55 – Russelll Martin (kept his old Dodger number)

63 – Justin Maxwell, outfielder

64 – Romulo Sanchez, pitcher

The uniform numbers that are not assigned:

6, 21, 46, 51, 69, 91, 97, 98, 99

The only Yankee in history who wore #77 in a regular season game was Humberto Sanchez. He appeared in 2 games in 2008, pitched a total of 2 innings of relief, gave up 1 hit, 1 run and 2 walks and also had 1 strikeout.   

2011 Pitching Rotation

Well, my prediction of the start of the season pitching rotation is:

                             #1 spot – CC

                         #2 spot – AJ

                              #3 spot – Phil

 

                 #4 spot – Freddy

                           #5 spot – Ivan

   Long man in bullpen – Sergio

  Minor League role at beginning of season - Bartolo 

And, of course, the season will not end this way.

FACT: AJ Burnett will have a great year in 2011

FACT:

AJ Burnett will have a better pitching performance in 2011 than he did in 2010.

There is no way AJ Burnett's 2011 performance can be worse than all of the below:

• His W-L record in 2010 was 10-15.
• He hit 19 batters; his previous worse year was 10 batters.
• His HR per 9 innings was 1.2; that was his worst performance in his career.
• His K/9 innings was 7.0; his worst performance since 2001.
• His hits/9 innings was 9.8; his worst performance in his career.
• He had 16 wild pitches; 1 less than his worst year.
• His ERA was 5.26; his previous worst year was 4.79 in 2000.
• His 3-pitch K’s were 17; 20 less than 2009; worst since 2003.
• His catcher was Jorge; in 2011 it will be Russell.
• His pitching coach was Dave Eiland; in 2011 it will be Larry Rotchschild.
• AJ Burnett had marriage difficulties in 2010 which resulted in a divorce.

 And with a better AJ performance, that means more wins out of AJ which translates into more Yankee team wins.

That's my prediction. What's yours?

Pitchers and Catchers to report

Pitchers and catchers report to spring training on Monday, February 14th.

There has been questions about the starting pitchers for 2011. The pitching will work itself out.

The key for a good start for the Yankees is the "catching."

Jorge is the DH. And we have Russell Martin as the main catcher. This is kind of good news... there is some experience there.

Let's take take a look at 'watch outs' for the Yankee catching crew:

     Russell Martin

Russell Martin is a National League catcher; big difference in how to call a game. He now has a designated hitter to work around instead of a 1-2-3 strikeout of a pitcher. He has a history of being injured. He is attempting to get into shape. It's a long season and he hasn't caught a long season in the AL East before. Russell has Jorge to help him out ... and that is good news.

Then there is Francisco Cervelli, Jesus Montero, Austin Romine, Gary Sanchez, Kyle Higashioka, Gustavo Molina, JR Murphy, and Tyler Austin waiting in the wings.

This is a good depth in catching ... which means ... who will be traded, and who will be the next Jorge?

Any guesses?