With it being another year of Spring Training, I figured it was time to provide some updates on a few of the former players I covered out at the beautiful ballpark in St. George by the Ferry Terminal.

So, which former Staten Island Yankees have been in the news lately down in Tampa?

Let’s take a look:

C Francisco Cervelli- The former 2006 NY-Penn League All-Star backstop progressed nicely down in Single-A Tampa last year hitting .279 with a couple of dingers and 32 RBI’s in 89 games (290 at bats) last summer. The recently turned 22 year-old Venezuelan who the organization signed a few years back also earned Florida State League Mid-Season and Post-Season All-Star status despite an injury riddled 2007.

Arguably the Yanks’ top catching prospect who could one day find himself in the Bronx replacing Jorge Posada, Cervelli will begin his third pro season with Double-A Trenton. But before he does, the former Baby Bomber will start the year on the DL due to a home plate collision with the D-Rays’ Elliot Johnson last week which resulted in a broken wrist, infuriating first-year manager Joe Girardi who called the play dirty for an exhibition game.

The Yanks won’t rush Cervelli back. So figure him to return in late April/early May.

OF Austin Krum- The former outfielder who’s bat sprung to life during the final month of last season helping Staten Island reach the Penn League playoffs again made the wrong kind of news last week. Krum, 22, was arrested by Tampa Police for refusing to leave Tia’s Tex Mex Restaurant/Bar after trying to start a fight.

He was charged with trespassing and had to be forced into handcuffs unfortunately after resisting arrest. Not the kind of news the Manhattan Beach California native wanted to make. Especially if he’s to impress the organization as the solid defensive outfielder enters his second pro season. This wasn’t the first former SI Yank to make disturbing news as last year, it was former 2006 Penn League All-Star George Kontos who dealt with a similar issue which hindered his progress down in Tampa.

Hopefully, a valuable lesson has been learned for both players and they can move forward.

CF Brett Gardner- The former Staten Island Yankee star center fielder who helped lead the franchise to their third NY-Penn League title back in 2005 has progressed nicely throughout the farm system. Last summer, the 24 year-old former College of Charleston star was elevated to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre following a solid stint with Trenton where he hit .300 with 43 runs scored, 19 extra base hits including five triples and 18 stolen bases in 22 attempts.

In 45 games with SWB, he hit .260 with a homer, nine RBI’s, 37 runs and 21 steals in 24 attempts. The speedy outfielder who has a keen eye at the plate and plays great D is still with the team competing for a reserve outfield spot. Figure him to start the season with SWB before a possible recall in early September.

RP Mark Melancon- After missing the entire 2007 season due to Tommy John surgery, the future of the Yankee bullpen at last check was still being looked at by the organization down in Tampa before assessing where the former University of Arizona closer will start the season.

In late 2006, he helped the Baby Bombers repeat as Penn League champs by shutting the door on Tri-City impressively striking out the side to save Kontos’ 2-0 shutout. He has a fastball which reaches the low 90’s and an effective breaking ball which can freeze batters looking for the heater.

Keep a close eye on Melancon’s progress as he could find himself in a pivotal role sometime this summer.

OF Colin Curtis- The 23 year-old who was selected by the Yankees in the fourth round out of Arizona State three years prior is still in camp as a non-roster invitee.

A very good defensive outfielder with a solid bat which sprays line drives to all fields, Curtis was an integral part of the Baby Bombers’ fourth title in 2006. A fixture near the top of the lineup, he hit over .300 with a homer and 18 RBI’s while playing outstanding defense in center.

After an impressive stint with Tampa where he hit .298 with five homers and 26 RBI’s in 65 games, the Yanks elevated Curtis to Trenton where he’ll most likely start his third pro season again. He struggled to adjust hitting .242 with three dingers and 15 knocked in. However, Curtis had the good fortune of helping a club win another championship as the Thunder won their first ever title.

Not a bad start to a career.