In 2010, the Yankees drafted a lot of young, up-the-middle athletes. While many of their selections were raw in terms of baseball ability, they displayed the athleticism that made the Yankees believe they'd progress into legit prospects. The Yanks farm system right now is very pitching-rich, so some up-the-middle athletes were refreshing to see. Many of these players were fresh out of high school and found themselves assigned to Short Season Staten Island this year.
One of my favorites of this group of players is Angelo Gumbs. Drafted in the 2010 Second Round as a SS but mentioned as a possible CFer one day, Gumbs has been playing 2B all year for Staten Island. Teaming up with Cito Culver (SS) and Mason Williams (CF), this is exactly what the Yanks have envisioned. As I write this, Gumbs is hitting .280 but with a .360 OPB. Not bad for a kid who is only 18.
Gumbs signed my 2011 Topps Pro Debut (in silver) and also answered my questions:
1. Do you consider yourself an outfielder or infielder long-term? Things are going good in the infield so I really don't know.
2. What ML pitcher do you dream of facing? Strasburg
3. What's it like to be on a baseball card? A dream come true (note: I need to stop asking this question...they always say the same thing...what else is their to say?)
Thanks to Angelo for signing my card and taking the time to write back. He's a name to watch in the next few years.
I collected baseball cards from the late '80s through 2002. Then I went to college and when I came out, I was lost. There were too many brands, sets, choices, relics, autos, parallels, variations. It was a turn off. However, I slowly made my way back. So here is my attempt to venture back into the hobby. I'll buy a few packs of cards here and there, comment on some cards I have, send out some TTMs, and follow the progress of my Topps Yankees Project.
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