Yankees Minor League Baseball Blog

The number seven prospect for the Yankees is J. Brent Cox, the Yankees second round pick in 2005.  He was the closer for the Texas Longhorns in 2005 and he made his minor league debut for Tampa in 2005.  There, he nearly struck out a batter an inning and kept his walk rate down en route to a solid debut.  In 2006, he made the jump to Double A where he was also effective.  His strikeout rate was down (60 in 77 innings) and his walk rate was up (24) but he had a rock solid 1.75 ERA as mostly a long reliever.  He keeps the ball down and in 104 2/3 innings, he’s given up only three homeruns.

Cox should start the season at Double A and you’re looking at a guy who could be mainstay in the Yankees pen beginning in 2008.  He’s probably not closer material but he’d make a very good set up man.  Regardless, he bears watching as he makes what should be his final minor league season this year.