In an attempt to put healthy players on the field for opening day, the New York Yankees have dealt for veteran outfielder Vernon Wells.
In exchange, one of the prospects the Los Angeles Angels will receive is 21-year-old outfielder Exicardo Cayones (h/t Mark Saxon of ESPN), who came to the Yankees' organization from the Pittsburgh Pirates in the A.J. Burnett deal.
So who is Exicardo Cayones and what's he all about?
Here's a breakdown of what the Angels received by trading Wells to the Bronx Bombers.
Profile
Birth Date: Oct. 9, 1991 (21 years old)
Birthplace: Valencia, Venezuela
Experience: Two years (minor leagues, mainly Single-A ball)
College: None
Height, weight: 6'0", 183 lbs.
About Cayones' Big League Time
The 21-year-old outfielder hasn't reached the big leagues just yet, as he's still trying to make his way out of Single-A ball.
In 47 games with the Staten Island Yankees last season, Cayones hit .228 with one homer and 15 RBI to go with seven stolen bases. In 200 plate appearances, he drew 33 walks and finished the 2012 campaign with a solid .374 on-base percentage.
Cayones' Offense
For his overall career in the minors (four years), Cayones owns a .261 average and .372 OBP to go with a .358 slugging percentage. Cayones' game isn't built on power, as he has hit only two home runs during his time in the minors, but he has swiped 21 bags.
One favorable aspect of Cayones' offensive game is his eye at the plate and ability to draw walks. In his young career he has shown the ability to lay off pitches and pick one to his liking, as you can see here:
Cayones' first season in the minors was easily his most successful, when he drove in 34 runs and hit .302—including 18 doubles and two triples—with the VSL Pirates.
Cayones' offensive game is still a bit underdeveloped, as he's clearly not a power hitter, but doesn't have the speed and stolen base numbers to be considered a "speed guy."
He needs to put in some serious work at the plate before a big league team is going to think about bringing him up to the majors.
Cayones' Defense
Cayones spent the majority of last season manning right field for the Staten Island Yankees, where he committed just one error and sported four assists.
He has an average arm and has committed only nine errors in his four minor league seasons in the outfield, where he's played all three positions.
Conclusion
As long as Vernon Wells isn't a complete bust in New York, I'd say the Yankees made out on this deal.
Los Angeles is picking up most of the tab on Wells and the Yanks hardly gave up anything. In return, they're getting a former All-Star who can fill the void in the Bronx with the slew of injuries that has struck the Bronx Bombers.
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