Jasson Dominguez tops the 100!: Dominguez is on the top of all kinds of talent lists, and now he has been named the top baseball talent as Baseball America issued their list of top International Prospect Signings of 2019. The 16-year-old sensation was highly sought after, but the Yankees landed him when he signed a contract with the Yankees for a $5MM signing bonus last July. Dominguez turns 17 on February 7th, but with his height of 5′ 10″ and 190 pounds, the athletic kid looks in his mid 20’s. He has impressive speed and agility on the bases, a cannon for an arm that few would challenge, and a batting exit velocity of 110mph. Scouts say you don’t see that in a 16-year-old. Because of that and the incredible talent, he has earned the nickname “El Marciano” (The Martian).
Dominguez is from the Dominican Republic that has produced many young baseball stars such as Gleyber Torres, Domingo German, Luis Severino, and others. Jasson grew up an enormous Yankee fan and loved playing baseball. He is all muscle, but it’s not the stiff kind; he is super agile. When speaking with managers and scouts alike, he has been compared to Micky Mantle and a young Mike Trout. One scout stated that although he reminds you of Mike Trout, Trout didn’t have the power or talent that Dominguez has at his young age. For the time being, he is playing at the Yankee’s Boca Chica baseball academy in the Dominican Republic. Still, some say he is advancing so fast that he may debut professionally during the 2020 season.
Gerrit Cole visits Altobelli’s team: While the world is still shocked by the death of Kobe Bryant, his daughter, and coach Altobelli, his daughter, and seven others, in the fatal crash of Kobe Bryant’s helicopter in California on Sunday. The Orange Coast College Pirates took the diamond for a game for the first time without their coach Altobelli. Altobelli was their coach for decades. The game was played between the OOC Pirates and the Southwestern’s. It was the first game of the season for the defending state Junior College champions. In attendance was newly acquired Yankee Gerrit Cole to show his support and respect for the loss of their long time coach. Cole is picking up on the history of the Yankees in being a player that does the right thing. Cole grew up on the California coast and spends the offseasons there.
Dusty Baker, named Astro’s Manager: As first reported by Cinncinati.com, Dusty Baker, the former Washington National, will be named the new Manager of the Houston Astros. Baker 70 has a great deal of experience managing in baseball spanning 22 years. He was the former manager of the San Francisco Giants, the Chicago Cubs, the Cincinnati Reds, and, most recently, the Nationals.  The need for a new manager for the Astros was caused by the suspension of A.J. Hinch for his involvement in the sign-stealing scheme during the 2017 season and World Series. Immediately after the issuance of the punishments from Commissioner Manfred, Jim Crane, the Astros owner, fired Hinch. The Astros have interviewed several candidates for the job. Baker, who interviewed earlier this month, is a curious choice as he is old school and not an analytics guy.
Upon his arrival in Houston for his interview, he was asked by reporters what he thought about managing the Astros. He responded: “I’m just hoping to bring some love back to baseball, some integrity to the game, and I think I got relative respect in the game. There’s something missing. I need a (World Series) championship, and I’d like to bring a championship to the city of Houston.” He also cited that his former wife and her family live in Houston, along with his best friend and other family members. He said he has been there many times and likes the city. Baker will have a big job ahead of him as he tries to restore the image of the Astros, get to know his players, that combined with the fact that spring training is just weeks away, will have him on the job immediately.