REHAB MANIA: For the second time this season, the Thunder have received a Yankees shortstop for a rehab assignment. In July, it was Derek Jeter, and the zoo of adoring fans he brought through the turnstiles at Waterfront Park.

Tonight, and for the rest of the season, it seems, Trenton will get Ramiro Pena, a defensive wizard who has played 257 games in the Eastern League entering the evening. He's almost certainly the best gloveman at the position in franchise history.

Pena is working his way back from an appendectomy and will play five innings tonight and seven innings tomorrow before traveling with the club to New Britain for the year's final series.

He's an interesting addition for the stretch run, especially because of the solidarity he'll add in the middle of the infield, where the team has had a bucket of problems throughout the year.

GOLDEN VOICE: Ballpark Digest named Thunder Director of Broadcasting Jay Burnham its Broadcaster of the Year yesterday. Considering that award encompasses all of minor league baseball, that's some honor.

In a press release sent out by the team, the man of the hour had this to say about the honor:

"I am truly honored and humbled to be the recipient of this award, especially since there are any number of broadcasters at all levels that are deserving as well. I am fortunate to be a part of one of the best organizations in baseball.

"My broadcast partner Hank Fuerst and I have had an unforgettable season between the new radio station and visits from some of baseball's greatest players past and present, including Reggie Jackson, Derek Jeter and Shane Victorino."

PLAY (MORE) BALL: The Arizona Fall League announced its rosters yesterday, and (so far) four Yankees will play for this year's incarnation of the Phoenix Desert Dogs: Corban Joseph, Ronnier Mustelier, Rob Segedin and David Phelps.

All but Mustelier, a 27-year-old Cuban import, have spent time with the Thunder in the past.

RANK AND FILE: Spoke to a scout before the game who's seen the Yankees at every level but Staten Island this season and asked him to rank the team's position player prospects, non-Montero division. Here's what he said.

1. Gary Sanchez -- He looked excellent in the second half and projects to be a catcher long-term
2. Slade Heathcott -- Behind Sanchez, but not by much
3. Austin Romine

He also mentioned Jose Toussen as a guy who may start to open some eyes. Not a star, he said, but a guy who can play a little. Also really likes Dan Burawa, a reliever with Tampa out of St. John's.

Double-A: Reading 7, Trenton 6

Ray Kruml: 3-for-5, HR, 2 R
Brad Suttle: 2-for-5, 2B, HR
Jose Pirela: 1-for-4, HR, 3 RBI
Craig Heyer: 3 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 3 ER, BB, 4 SO
Josh Romanski: 3 IP, H, 0 R, BB, 2 SO

High-A: Tampa 10, St. Lucie 1

Abe Almonte: 2-for-4, R
Zoilo Almonte: 3-for-5, R, 2 RBI
Kyle Roller: 2-for-5, R, RBI
J.R. Murphy: 3-for-5, 2B, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI
Kelvin Castro: 3-for-5, 3 R, 2 RBI
Mikey O'Brien: 5 IP, 2 H, R, ER, 4 BB, 3 SO
Dan Burawa: 2 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 SO
Ryan Flannery: 2 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, SO

Short Season: Staten Island 9, Vermont 1

Mason Williams: 4-for-6, 2B, 3B, RBI
Cito Culver: 2-for-5, 2 RBI
Casey Stevenson: 2-for-5, 2B, R, 3 RBI
Jhorge Liccien: 3-for-5, 2B, 2 R
Zach Wilson: 1-for-3, HR
Evan DeLuca: 5 IP, 2 H, R, ER, BB, 6 SO
Phil Wetherell: IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, 2 So

Gulf Coast League: Yankees 8, Pirates 7

Claudio Custodio: 1-for-5, 2B, 2 R, SB
Tyler Austin: 1-for-3, HR, 2 RBI, BB, SB
Jose Rosario: 2-for-4, HR, 3 RBI, SB
Dante Bichette: 0-for-4, R, BB

Dominican Summer League 1: Rangers 6, Yankees 1 -- Game 1

Rafael Polo: 1-for-4, SB
Fernando Perez: 1-for-4
Jose Polanco: 2-for-3, 3B, R
Edison Mejia: 4 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 4 ER, BB, 0 SO
Dubeny Soto: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, SO

Dominican Summer League 1: Yankees 3, Rangers 2 -- Game 2

Ericson Leonora: 1-for-3, HR, 3 RBI
Jose Polanco: 1-for-2
Rafael Polo: 1-for-3, R
Jerison Lopez: 1-for-2, R
Cesar Vargas: 5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 SO

Arizona Fall League

Brandon Laird: 1-for-3, RBI
Austin Romine: 1-for-3
Jose Pirela: 0-for-3

Australian League

Nathan Aron: 1-for-4, 2B, R

Dominican League

Wilkins Arias: 1 1/3 IP, H, R, ER, 0 BB, 4 SO

Mexican League

Eric Wordekemper: 1 2/3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, SO
Jorge Vazquez: 1-for-4
Ramiro Pena: 1-for-2, 2B, R, RBI, 3 BB
Walter Ibarra: 0-for-3
Justin Christian: 1-for-5

Puerto Rican League

Rene Rivera: 1-for-5, 2B, RBI, BB

Venezuelan League

Edwar Gonzalez: 0-for-1
Josh Schmidt: 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, 4 SO, HR
Marcos Vechionacci: 2-for-3, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB, HR

Arizona Fall League

Brandon Laird: 3-for-5, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI
Jose Pirela: 1-for-5, HR, 2 RBI

Dominican Winter League

Zack Segovia: 1 2/3 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 SO
Wilkin De La Rosa: 1/3 IP, H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, SO, HR

Mexican League

Walter Ibarra: 1-for-4, RBI
Justin Christian: 1-for-3, HR, 3 RBI, 3 R, 3 BB, SB
Jorge Vazquez: 3-for-5, 2 2B, RBI

Puerto Rican League

Rene Rivera: 0-for-1

Arizona Fall League

Manny Banuelos: 5 IP, 5 H, R, ER, BB, 2 SO
George Kontos: IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, 0 SO
Ryan Pope: IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, SO
Austin Romine: 0-for-2
Brandon Laird: 0-for-3

Mexican League

Jorge Vazquez: 1-for-3, HR, 2 R, BB
Eric Wordekemper: IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, SO
Walter Ibarra: 2-for-5, R
Justin Christian: 2-for-3, 2B, R, 2 RBI, 2 BB

Puerto Rican League

Rene Rivera: 1-for-4

Venezuelan League

Jose Gil: 1-for-4, RBI
Luis Nunez: 1-for-3
Edwar Gonzalez: Played, no at-bats
Marcos Vechionacci: 0-for-2, 2 BB, R

Arizona Fall League

Brandon Laird: 1-for-5, HR, 2 RBI

Arizona Fall League

Brandon Laird: 1-for-4, 2B

Dominican Winter League

Juan Miranda: 1-for-4, RBI
Francisco Santana: 0-for-1, SO
Wilkins Arias: 1/3 IP, 0 R, H, BB, SO

Mexican League

Walter Ibarra: 0-for-1, SO
Jorge Vazquez: 1-for-4
Eric Wordekemper: IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, 2 SO
Justin Christian: 1-for-4, SB

Puerto Rican League

Rene Rivera: 2-for-5, 2B, RBI, Caught two runners

Venezuelan League

Edwar Gonzalez: 1-for-3, 2B

Arizona Fall League

Brandon Laird: 1-for-5, 2 RBI
Jose Pirela: 1-for-4, BB
Manny Banuelos: 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 4 SO (71 pitches, 40 strikes)

Dominican Winter League

Zack Segovia: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 0 SO

Mexican League

Justin Christian: 0-for-4, 2 SO
Jorge Vazquez: 0-for-3, BB, 2 SO

Venezuelan League

Marcos Vechionacci: 0-for-4, SO
Edwar Gonzalez: Played, no at-bats
Jose Gil: 0-for-3, BB

Arizona Fall League

Austin Romine: 1-for-4, R, BB, Catcher's Interference
Brandon Laird: 0-for-4, 2 SO
Jose Pirela: 2-for-4, R

Mexican League

Justin Christian: 1-for-3, HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB
Eric Wordekemper: 1/3 IP, SO
Jorge Vazquez: 2-for-5, 2B, R, BB

Venezuelan League

Jose Gil: 2-for-4, HR, 3 RBI
Edwar Gonzalez: 0-for-3

Arizona Fall League

Brandon Laird: 1-for-5, 2B, R, 2 RBI
Jose Pirela: 0-for-5
Craig Heyer: 2 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, SO
George Kontos: 2/3 IP, 5 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 3 BB, 0 SO, 2 HR
Ryan Pope: 1 1/3 IP, 2 H, 2 R, ER, 2 BB, 0 SO, HR

Puerto Rican League

Rene Rivera: 0-for-3, BB

Arizona Fall League

Brandon Laird: 1-for-5, 2B, 2 RBI, outfield assist
Jose Pirela: 1-for-4, error
Ryan Pope: 1/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, SO

Mexican League:

Justin Christian: 4-for-5, 2 2B, HR, 2 RBI, 3 R

Venezuelan League

Edwar Gonzalez - played, no at-bats

Arizona Fall League

Jose Pirela: 0-for-5
Brandon Laird: 0-for-2, 2 BB, Outfield Assist (third base)
Austin Romine: 2-for-4
George Kontos: 2 IP, H, 0 R, BB, 0 SO

Dominican Winter League

Wilkins Arias: 1/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 SO

Mexican League

Justin Christian: 0-for-3
Walter Ibarra: Played, no at-bat

Puerto Rican League

Rene Rivera: 0-for-4

Arizona Fall League

Brandon Laird: 1-for-5, RBI
Jose Pirela: 1-for-3, RBI, BB
Manny Banuelos: 3 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, SO (40 pitches, 25 strikes)
Craig Heyer: 3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO (40 pitches, 25 strikes)

Dominican Winter League

Jonathan Ortiz: 2/3 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, SO

Mexican League

Walter Ibarra: 0-for-4
Justin Christian: 0-for-4, BB

Puerto Rican League

Rene Rivera: 1-for-4, R

Venezuelan League

Jose Gil: 0-for-6
Edwar Gonzalez: 2-for-2, R, RBI

There's been a little bit of news from around Yankee prospectdom today, so I'm going to make the bits short and sweet.

The biggest news is that Melky Mesa was added to the 40-man roster. Chad Gaudin and Royce Ring were taken off the roster to make space. Gaudin is a free agent now.

After posting the third-most home runs and stolen bases in the system, Mesa, 22, is poised to start 2010 in Trenton's outfield. He's an absolute lottery ticket of a guy, with power, speed and a plus arm.

One scout I spoke to had this to say about him:

He's got a lot of tools. He's a very good athlete with a lot of holes in his swing. The percentage of him making the big leagues is slim, but if he does, it will be as a starter. He's not going to be a fourth or fifth outfielder.

He's got the rare combination of power and speed. He swings and misses a lot and needs to cut down on his swing. He's susceptible to the breaking ball and gets himself out. If he can get pitchers to get him out, he has a chance to be good.

Additionally, Brandon Laird, Austin Romine and Manny Banuelos were named to the Arizona Fall League's Eastern Division roster for the Rising Stars Game. This year's game comes Saturday, and will be televised on the MLB Network.

Mesa and Laird were also named by the Topps baseball card company as the Players of the Year, respectively in High-A and Double-A.

Arizona Fall League

Brandon Laird: 0-for-4
Austin Romine: 2-for-4 (3 SB allowed)

Puerto Rican League

Rene Rivera: 2-for-2, BB, R

Arizona Fall League

Jose Pirela: 2-for-4, 3 R
Ryan Pope: 2/3 IP, 3 H, R, ER, BB, SO

Venezuelan Winter League

Edwar Gonzalez: 0-for-1
Marcos Vechionacci: 2-for-4, 2B, R

Mexican League

Justin Christian: 1-for-3, R
Walter Ibarra: 1-for-4, R
Francisco Gil: 2 IP, 3 H, R, ER, BB

Puerto Rican League

Rene Rivera: 0-for-4, BB

Arizona Fall League

Brandon Laird: 0-for-3
Jose Pirela: 1-for-3
Manny Banuelos: 3 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, BB, 4 SO

Mexican League:

Justin Christian: 1-for-2, 2 BB
Walter Ibarra: 3-for-5, 2 R, RBI, 2 Errors
Eric Wordekemper: IP, H 0 R, 0 BB, SO

Puerto Rican League

Rene Rivera: 1-for-3, HR

Venezuelan League

Marcos Vechionacci: 0-for-3, 2 BB
Jose Gil: 1-for-3, 2B, RBI, Error

Arizona Fall League

Craig Heyer: 2 IP, H, R, ER, 2 BB, 2 SO
Austin Romine: 2-for-4, BB
Brandon Laird: 1-for-4, HR, BB
Jose Pirela: 3-for-4, 2 2B, R, SB, Error

Dominican Winter League:

Jonathan Ortiz: IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, SO
Zack Segovia: 1 2/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, SO

Mexican League:

Justin Christian: 1-for-3, R, BB, SB
Walter Ibarra: 1-for-4, R
Eric Wordekemper: IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 SO

Puerto Rican League:

Rene Rivera: 1-for-3, Caught a runner stealing

Venezuelan League:

Marcos Vechionacci: 2-for-4, 2B
Jose Gil: 1-for-2, BB

Arizona Fall League:

Brandon Laird: 1-for-3, 2B, R, RBI, 2 BB
Jose Pirela: 1-for-4, RBI, BB
Ryan Pope: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 SO
George Kontos: 2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, ER, 0 BB, SO

Venezuelan Winter League:

Edwar Gonzalez: 0-for-0, BB, R
Marcos Vechionacci: 2-for-4, R, RBI, BB, SB

Mexican League:

Walter Ibarra: 1-for-3
Justin Christian: 3-for-5, 2 R, HR, SB

Puerto Rican Winter League:

Rene Rivera: 2-for-4, HR, 2 R

Dominican League:

Wilkins Arias: IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 SO

Arizona Fall League:

Austin Romine: 1-for-4, 2B, RBI
Brandon Laird: 1-for-4, 2B, RBI