For the first time since I arrived on Sunday, there is no threat of rain in the forecast. That said, because there was so much that fell yesterday, I highly doubt the Blue Jays' farmhands will make the journey to Tampa for today's scheduled game. Unless the groundskeepers double as miracle workers, that outfield has to be a lake at this point.

I wouldn't be surprised to see another pair of simulated games at the Himes Complex, with no outfielders allowed.

With that, I'm off to the complex to see if my theories are correct. Before I go, though, here are a few links to get your attention this morning.

Remember, Thunder pitcher and Dellin Betances wants to answer your questions. He'll do so live on Media Day, which is April 5. Check this post out to find out how to submit a question.

I've also done a series of mini contests before Opening Day, which is April 7. Check this post to find out how to enter.

Less than a week away from the beginning of games at the minor league camp, the Yankees sent their first group of youngsters across the street to the Himes Complex. Among the first cuts are four-fifths of the projected Scranton rotation, including:

- Adam Warren
- D.J. Mitchell
- David Phelps
- Hector Noesi
- Andy Sisco
- Buddy Carlyle
- Brian Anderson

I expect all of those pitchers, if they stick with the organization, to spend the year in Scranton. Andrew Brackman, who is scheduled to pitch today, appears to be the only Triple-A starter left in big league camp.

The two kids who will start the season in Trenton - Dellin Betances (pitching today) and Manny Banuelos (pitching tomorrow) - are still with the Yankees, but will most likely be among the next round of cuts. Banuelos, by the way, turns 20 today. He's the youngest player in camp.

An omission: When I did my latest round of Thunder roster predictions the other I day, I complete forgot about outfielder Damon Sublett, who's pretty much a lock to get a second crack at a full season in Double-A.

With Sublett's addition, I imagine either Phil Bartleski or Noel Castillo will be bumped down to the Tampa roster. My instinct is Castillo, who continually dominates High-A but gets thrashed in Double-A, will be the one leaving Florida on April 3.

Calling all fans: After yours truly and the rest of the media are done interviewing the team, the public will have the opportunity to meet and greet the players at Waterfront Park. Below is the day's schedule of events, courtesy of the team.

Waterfront Park Gates Open For Fans: 3:00 p.m.
Stadium Tours: 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Team Practice Ends: 5:15 p.m.
Player Autograph Session: 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Players visit 90% Club In Yankee Club (private): 6:30 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
Ballpark Closes: 7:30 p.m.

Self promotion: It's just two weeks until I leave for spring training, and there are already big plans for The Trentonian's coverage this time around. Here are some things I have on the slate to help get out the word on the Thunder and other Yankees prospects.

- UStream video of game action and (some) player interviews. You can find my Ustream channel here: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/jnorris427

- Web chats via CoverItLive. I don't know how many there will be. Nightly seems like overkill, but every other day seems about right.

- Many, many Twitter updates. For those of you who (somehow) don't know, I'm on Twitter under the name jnorris427. I tweet darn near constantly, and that won't change while cooking my woefully bare scalp in Tampa. There will be updates, plus pics and short videos coming through via the Twitter, so be on the lookout.

- And the usual blog posts, print stories, pictures and videos on this blog and at The Trentonian's Website, which will eventually have a separate page for my journey. Said page is under construction right now.

Contests: A quick reminder, there are several in-season mini contests for you to participate in before the season starts on April 7. The link to those contests is here. I won't announce all the prizes just yet, but the grand prize is a pair of Andy Pettitte bobbleheads. You know you want them.

After the success of the last contest held at this blog (congrats, @AndyInSunnyDB), I've decided to hold another series of smaller contests based on things that will happen throughout the season. The questions are pretty straightforward, as you can see below. The prizes will vary from contest to contest, and will be announced after each contest is over.

Entry Rules: Pretty much the same as the last time. Go to the comments section of this post and leave your guesses to as many questions as you like. Please leave some way to contact you with your entry. This will prove very helpful in getting you your prizes. All entries are due before first pitch on Opening Day, which is April 7.

1. What will the Thunder's lineup look like on Opening Day (starting nine and pitcher)?

2. Who will get the Thunder's first hit of the season?

3. Who will hit the first home run of the Thunder season?

4. Who will be the first Thunder player to have two home runs in a game?

5. What will the Thunder's starting rotation look like on Opening Day?

6. Who will start the Thunder's first game after the Eastern League All-Star break?

7. What will the Thunder's record be at the All-Star break?

8. Which members of the Thunder will play in the All-Star Game?

9. Which player will be the first call-up to the Thunder from Tampa?***

End of season special: Tell me who will lead the Thunder in the following categories - Batting average, home runs, RBIs, wins, strikeouts and ERA.

***For this question, we will only accept actual moves. If there is a paper move, and the player who was "called up" never shows up, he doesn't count.

River Ave. Blues' Mike Axisa got his handbook today, and was kind enough to send me the rest of Baseball America's Top 30 Yankees prospects. That means we have a winner for our contest. And his name is ...

ANDY FLEMING (@andyinsunnydb)

The rest of the prospects were, in order:

11. Brett Marshall
12. Adam Warren
13. Ivan Nova
14. J.R. Murphy
15. Mason Williams
16. David Phelps
17. Graham Stoneburner
18. D.J. Mitchell
19. Melky Mesa
20. Corban Joseph
21. Cito Culver
22. David Adams
23. Bryan Mitchell
24. Jose Ramirez
25. Angelo Gumbs
26. Jeremy Bleich
27. Dan Brewer
28. Tommy Kahnle
29. Chase Whitley
30. Pat Venditte

Also, the No. 31 prospect, which comes when you buy the BA Book, is Kelvin De Leon.

JUDGING: I went through the list and counted how many spots on the list each contestant got correct. In the case of a tie, I went with who had the most closest to the top. Andy nailed the first three, Marshall, Warren and Nova, and thus beat out the other two contests who also got three spots correct.

Thanks for playing, everyone. There will be more contests in the future.

It seems the Baseball America Prospect Handbooks have begun to ship, which means we'll soon know the results of this blog's contest, and the winner of the coveted quartet of bobbleheads and Corban Joseph rookie card.












Because I put you all through so much work, I figure it's only fair that I make my own guess at how BA will rank the Top 11-20 prospects. Without further hemming and hawing, here are my choices, without any prior knowledge.

11. Adam Warren
12. David Phelps
13. J.R. Murphy
14. Melky Mesa
15. Ivan Nova
16. Graham Stoneburner
17. Brett Marshall
18. Corban Joseph
19. Ramon Flores
20. Cito Culver
21. David Adams
22. D.J. Mitchell
23. Mason Williams
24. Jose Pirela
25.Chase Whitley
26. Angelo Gumbs
27. Tommy Kahnle
28. Rob Segedin
29. Preston Claiborne
30. Kyle Roller
BONUS - 31. Daniel Burawa