I didn't really pay attention to the Yankees Red Sox series over the weekend, in part because I don't enjoy nine hour baseball games, but I did watch some of last nights game and was pleased to see that former Padres farm hand Dean Anna has been getting significant playing time in the Yankees lineup.
For those of you who don't know, the Padres drafted Dean Anna in 2008 and from then through 2012 he was a pretty consistent minor league middle infielder who looked like he'd never make it to the bigs barring a slew of major injuries. But in 2013 in AAA Tuscon, Anna batted .331 in the PCL and since the Padres couldn't fit him on the 40 man roster they traded him to the Yankees in exchange for RHP Ben Paullus.
It looks like Anna is gonna stick around with the Yankees this year. Derek Jeter is not an everyday player at SS anymore, and the Yankees 2B situation is a mess, though it seems like Anna will be playing most of his time as at SS this year, at least until Brandon Ryan returns (which a quick google search tells me won't be anytime soon).
In the meantime, expect Anna to get a chance to audition at 2B, and considering the Yankees are currently starting Brian Roberts over there, perhaps Anna has a chance to stick around long term at 2B if he can get there.
Those who have followed the Padres minor league teams over the past few years know of Anna, and those of us who have had the chance to interact with him know that he deserves to get this chance to play in the MLB. I for one am bummed that it's not with the Padres, but seeing him last night in pinstripes was better than seeing him as a Dodger or Giant.