MY BASEBALL BIAS

With pitchers and catchers reporting to Tampa in 16 more days, I thought we’d take a daily look at all 26 non-roster invitees in alphabetical order. If all goes according to plan, we’ll wrap up this series on February 13th with infielder Marcos Vechionacci, one day before Yankee camp officially opens.

One word of caution - I do not claim to be a scout. Most of my sourcing will come from various interviews, profiles, videos and looking at statistics. The series is meant to be a learning tool as we prep for the opening of Spring Training. I invite all of you to add to the discussion in the comments section, post links on said player or, if you have a story, feel free to share it.

Who will be the 2008 version of this guy…?

Alan Horne

Born: January 5, 1983
Height: 6-4
Weight: 195
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
College: Florida

2008 Prospect Rankings:

• Ranked as a B prospect by John Sickels
• Ranked 5th in the Yankee system by Baseball America
• Ranked 5th by Pinstripes Plus
• Ranked 5th by Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus

Statistics
Complete Minor League Stats

Background

A former first round pick of the Cleveland Indians in 2001 out of High School, Horne turned down their offer and instead went the college route playing for three different schools (Mississippi, Chipola Junior College and Florida). In 2004 he was taken in the 30th round by the Anaheim Angels but opted for Tommy John surgery instead and didn’t sign. Finally, in 2005, after pitching Florida to the College World Series, the Yankees took Horne in the 11th round (349th overall) of the amateur entry draft and signed him for $400,000.

Scouting Report

When the Yankees drafted Horne, they knew they were getting a high risk, high reward prospect. Mostly a power pitcher, his four-seam fastball sits consistently between 92-94 mph. He has also developed a two-seam fastball with good running/sinking action. Last year at Double-A Trenton, Horne led the Easter League in strikeouts (165) and ERA (3.11) in 153.1 innings. Other pitches in his repertoire include a power slider and curveball that he throws with good consistency, plus an above-average changeup that’s still developing mostly because he throws it to hard.

Horne still has a little work to do to refine his game, however. Poor release points due to his long arm action and slow movements to the plate can cause control problems. He’ll need to develop a better pick off move as well. Horne is not an adept fielder at his position

Projection and Outlook

Having already dominated Double-A ball, Horne projects to start the ’08 season at Triple-A Scranton/WB in the rotation. He will, however, get a look at Spring Training for the major league bullpen and a spot on the 25-man roster is not out of the question. If he remains a starter, he projects out as a middle of the rotation guy who can eat up a lot of innings for a major league team. Horne is further evidence of the pitching depth the Yankees organization has in the minor leagues.

Below are profiles I’ve already completed in case you missed one or all of them:

All non-roster invitee profiles are available in the sidebar as well.

NEXT UP: Austin Jackson, OF