Tim Bontemps
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Blog: Minor Leagues
Blog: College Sports
Beating the Bushes
MOOSIC, Pa. -- At first, David Phelps thought he would be fulfilling his life-long dream. After the right-hander for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre was held out of his start early last week, he was hoping he would be the starting pitcher for the Yankees in their game in The Bronx on June 16 against the Rangers.
But the Yankees chose to sign right-hander Brian Gordon instead, leaving Phelps, who is 4-6 with a 3.36 ERA in 14 starts this season, to wait and wonder when he will get his chance.
"It was a lot of highs and lows," Phelps said. "At first I was super-excited, and then we signed Gordon. But he threw well, so tip your hat to the Yankees, because they made a good signing.
"It's frustrating. You obviously want to get up there, but I want to help this team win as much as I can while I'm here, and, God willing, I'll get a chance up there and get a chance to help them win a couple games."
Phelps' luck took another turn for the worse Wednesday, when he was placed on the disabled list after suffering discomfort in his right shoulder. The move came after Phelps made his worst start of the season Tuesday, giving up six runs on 12 hits over five innings in a 8-1 loss at home to the Norfolk Tides.
That start ended what had been an impressive run of form for Phelps, who the Yankees took in the 14th round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft out of Notre Dame. In his previous nine starts, Phelps was 3-3 with a 2.37 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP, struck out 53 and walked 14.
"He's thrown well," SWB manager Dave Miley said. "He's just been taking steps in the right direction, that's what stands out. I know on the side days and in between there are a lot of things that have been discussed and worked on, and these guys are soaking it in like a sponge."
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With the minor league season reaching its midway point, both the Mets and Yankees have been busy promoting prospects this week.
The first move the Mets made this week has been anticipated for some time, when they promoted their top pick in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft, Matt Harvey, from High-A St. Lucie to Double-A Binghamton. Harvey, drafted seventh overall last year out of North Carolina, had a stellar first half, going 8-2 with a 2.37 ERA and 92 strikeouts in 76 innings. Along with Harvey, the Mets also promoted Matt den Dekker, last year's fifth-round pick, from St. Lucie to Binghamton.
To replace them on St. Lucie's roster, the Mets promoted another pair of 2010 draft picks from Low-A Savannah: outfielder Cory Vaughn, last year's fourth-round pick, and right-hander Greg Peavey, their sixth-round selection.
The highest profile moves in the Yankees system came when they promoted their top two picks in the 2009 draft, outfielder Slade Heathcott and catcher J.R. Murphy, from Low-A Charleston to High-A Tampa. Heathcott hit .271 with four homers and 16 RBIs in 52 games, while Murphy hit .298 with six homers and 32 RBIs in 63 games.
tbontemps@nypost.com
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