In this continuing saga, we take a look at some other prospects who started their pro careers right here by the Ferry Terminal facing the city that never sleeps:

10.CF Seth Fortenberry- A Penn-League All Star last summer, the centerfielder has developed very well this season for the Riverdogs. A year after hitting just four home runs here on Staten Island, the 23 year-old Baylor product has increased his power production with a team-leading 16 to go with 68 RBI’s which also paces the club. The previous season, Fortenberry showed good speed swiping 13 bases and tripling five times. This year, he’s added 15 steals along with 22 more extra base hits including four triples to go with his new found stroke. Somehow, he was left off the All Star team but that hasn’t stopped him from having a very promising season.

11.LF James Cooper- A summer after starting on Staten Island before slowly working his way back from a leg injury, the 23 year-old from Loyola Marymount has split time between Tampa and Charleston. In 32 games, he was hitting .259 with three dingers, two triples and 10 RBI’s with Tampa before being sent back to Charleston probably to make room on the roster. In 29 games with the Riverdogs thus far, he’s hit .278 with eight runs knocked in while stealing three bases. It’s hard to determine what his future is at this juncture. We’ll know more by the Fall.

12.C Kyle Anson- A couple of years ago, he was playing a different position for the 2005 championship Baby Bombers. Now, the 24 year-old from Texas, El Paso has adjusted to life behind the plate. With Charleston, he got off to a hot start but has cooled lately dropping his average to .279 with three long balls and 29 RBI’s. The question is does he have more upside than ex-Bomber Francisco Cervelli who’s currently a level up at Tampa? That remains to be seen.
13.RP Jonathan Hovis- One summer after being an effective setup man with the Staten Island Yanks, the 23 year-old North Carolina product has taken well to closing out games for Charleston by saving 22 so far. Despite an 0-4 record, Hovis has posted a respectable 1.42 ERA in 40 appearances. With excellent control, he’s only permitted five walks which puts his WHIP under 1.00 because he’s allowed 32 hits in 44 and a third innings while K-ing 38. He’s not overpowering by any stretch but is extremely efficient and continues to progress nicely. It shouldn’t be long before he’s promoted to Tampa.
14.P Edgar Soto- A summer after getting 12 starts with Staten Island and producing mixed results (2-3 with a 4.31 ERA), the 22 year-old southpaw out of Venezuela has mostly been used out of the pen down in Charleston. In 23 appearances, he’s only started five times. So far, the results are so-so as he’s gone 1-2 with a 3.65 ERA. The biggest issue for Soto is his control as he’s walked 34 in 49-plus while fanning a batter per inning. The .236 average against is respectable but unless he can fix his control, it’s hard to see much of a future. There’s still time but with other pitching prospects ahead on the depth chart, it’s going to be a tough climb up the ladder.
15.1B Kevin Smith- A year after getting into 43 games and contributing .277 with two dingers and 21 RBI’s while playing a solid first on the championship Baby Bombers, the 23 year-old California native has adjusted well in a similar role on the Riverdogs. In 45 games thus far, he’s hit .288 and added 17 extra base hits including his first home run a few days ago while driving in 19. Smith has also shown some discipline by drawing almost as many walks (24) as strikeouts (27). A nice improvement from the five walks to 30 K’s he had in his first pro season. Is there a future? Hard to say. Unless he can do more damage with his bat to get in the lineup everyday, it doesn’t look promising.

16.OF Brian Aragon- The good news for the 23 year-old second-year outfielder out of North Carolina State is playing his ball pretty close to where he played college down in Charleston. The bad news is that he’s continued to struggle hitting-wise with a .235 average in 42 games. He has produced four homers and 22 RBI’s. Last year for Staten Island in a similar amount of time (41 GP), he hit .237 with two long balls and 16 RBI’s. Unless he has a big finish, this could be the final stop in his pro career. Unfortunately, that’s the nature of the business. Just ask Kyle Larsen.
17.Inf Chris Kunda- An interesting turn recently took place for the former Oregon State 2006 College World Series hero. After struggling at the plate in Charleston where he hit just .184 with 17 RBI’s in 136 at bats, the 22 year-old Alaska native was moved up to Tampa where it looks like he could play a different position instead of either short or the hot corner. He was 1-for-3 with a steal in his first game at second base. It’s hard to say if he’ll stay at the advanced level. Maybe the Yankees view him as a utility guy. He can play three positions well and even can pitch if needed. One thing is certain. While he didn’t hit much (.225-2-15) for the Penn-League champs by the Ferry Terminal, Kunda was a superb defensive shortstop who made a few breathtaking plays. That kind of defense is always valuable late in games. We’ll be keeping a close eye to see if there are any future plans.

18.SS Eduardo Nunez- A couple of years after helping the Staten Island Yankees win a Penn-League championship, the recently turned 20 year-old shortstop out of Puerto Rico has struggled in Charleston hitting only .239 with 11 extra base hits and 26 RBI’s. A solid middle infielder, he does possess some speed as his 18 stolen bases attest, ranking third on the club. The growing question is what kind of future does he have if he can’t get to Tampa? The Yankee organization is probably being more patient due to his age. Maybe a strong finish can keep him afloat.

This concludes Part II. Part III should be coming soon and will take a look at some of the Yankees’ brightest prospects who could be coming to the Bronx very soon. Stay tuned.