"A real nice baseball play all around."

That was the quote from the MLB Network talking head about the Brett Gardner to Francisco Cervelli 8-2 putout in Thursday night's (5/14/09) game. To recap: Blue Jays catcher Rod Barajas on second base, one out, Jays leading 2-1 in the top of the fifth inning. Base hit up the middle and Gardner hustles in and makes a strong, one-hop throw to Cervelli who made the tag on a sliding Barajas.

Several thing helped make this play work for the Yankees. First, Gardner's throw was thrown OVER the mound. One reason why a throw from center field to home plate is the toughest is because the mound oftentimes gets int he way of a throw. How many times do you see a throw from center hit or skip off the mound, either slowing up the ball or sending it in a different direction?

Second, Cervelli was steady with nerves of steel when the charging Barajas was barreling down the third base line, about to meet the ball AND CERVELLI at home plate. Frank held his ground, swiping the tag to get the sliding Barajas.

What Cervelli showed was much better than Jorge Posada would have shown. Originally a second baseman, Posada was converted to catcher in the minors and was involved in a terrible collision at home plate. He has shied away from most collisions since, often being very timid on plays at the plate.

Cervelli showed none of the Posada timidness.

The Yankees had envisioned the 23 year old Cervelli as a defensive star catcher in the making. While covering the AA Eastern League playoffs last season in Trenton, I had the opportunity to talk with Cervelli on many occasions.

I came away impressed, and not just because his girlfriend at the time was absolutely amazing. He has a keen awareness of his position, and all the Trenton pitchers I spoke with (Eric Hacker, Jason Jones, George Kontos, Christian Garcia and Jeffrey Marquez) liked throwing to him.

While the Yankees were high on him, they were disappointed that Cervelli chose to go play for Italy in the WBC, taking valuable time away from the Yankee camp. Even though Cervelli was on the 40 man roster, playing in the WBC is one reason why Cervelli was sent to Double A Trenton as camp broke and PJ Pilittere made AAA Scranton.

With Gardner and Cervelli, the Yankees have two young players who have come up though the system and have contributed at a time when injuries to Xavier Nady, Jorge Posada and Jose Molina have decimated the outfield and catching positions.

Readers here and on other sites I write for know my regard for Gardner, Cervelli and other young Yankee players, but also know these players haven't received the time and patience necessary to play at their high levels.

Maybe the recent strong showings by these two players will show the Yankees and their fans that time is needed for them to progress as players.

While other catchers in the system, namely Jesus Montero and Austin Romine, have more potential as hitters, Cervelli's knowledge and big arm will keep him in the Yankees plans for quite some time.