He had a hand in Dellin Betances turning into a Yankee out of Grand Street Campus High School in Brooklyn. He stated Manny Ramirez, who performed at George Washington High School in Washington Heights, was the most effective newbie participant he ever noticed. He touched numerous different New York City baseball gamers, no matter their expertise degree, and linked with their households. And his turkey giveaway in The Bronx at Thanksgiving time is famous.
Now, Cesar Presbott goes to place away his scout’s instruments after 45 years, 28 with the Yankees, however he stated he hopes to remain linked to the sport in different methods.
“That is the plan correct now,’’ the 71-year-old Presbott informed The Post. “I would like one other expertise in baseball, the chance to speak to youngsters. I get name from dad and mom, youngsters and coaches asking in regards to the draft and faculty. I will help so many youngsters in several methods.’’
With faculties and excessive colleges not enjoying as a result of Corona Virus pandemic, Presbott is away from baseball fields and will not scout one other sport. Thursday, that gave him the chance to ship meals to the needy in Manhattan.
Betances was simply the most effective prospect Presbott helped signal for the Yankees, who took the massive right-hander within the eighth spherical of the 2006 draft and gave him $1 million to maintain him from going to Vanderbilt.
While Betances was well-known within the scouting neighborhood, Johnny Rodriguez wasn’t.
Undrafted out of Manhattan’s Brandeis High School in 1997, Presbott noticed the left-handed hitting outfielder play in a league at St. Mary’s Park in The Bronx. Not everyone was impressed with Rodriguez, however Presbott requested Mark Newman, then the top of the Yankees’ minor league operations, for $1,000 and a aircraft ticket to Tampa for the teen.
“I do know of no different case like that in my a long time with the Yankees,’’ Newman stated when requested how uncommon it was {that a} child who signed for a grand performed within the massive leagues and earned a World Series ring with the 2006 Cardinals. “There might be anyone someplace else however the interior metropolis, it’s exhausting. I can’t consider anyone.’’
Rodriguez spent a complete of 9 years within the Yankees’ system and cut up the 2005 season between groups within the Indians and Cardinals minor leagues. He reached the massive leagues with the Cardinals in 2005 and hit .295 in 56 video games. The following season, Rodriguez appeared in 102 video games and batted .301. In 158 big-league video games, Rodriguez hit .298.
Rodriguez has Presbott’s connections in The Bronx to thank for his profession.
“A police officer informed me he had a child I ought to have a look at and once I noticed him I didn’t know,” Presbott stated, “however [scout] Roman Pena, my greatest buddy on this planet stated, ‘Cesar, that’s going to be your first main league participant.’ ”
Following a exercise at Yankee Stadium with three different gamers, Presbott was informed by a Yankees Latin American scout that his job can be in jeopardy if he signed Rodriguez.
“I obtained mad and once I obtained house I informed my spouse I appreciated the child, however this man informed me he didn’t like the child,” Presbott stated. “She informed me, ‘Don’t take the phrases of no person. If you want the child signal him.’ ’’
On a lesser scale, Presbott pushed the Yankees to draft shortstop Conor Mullee out of St. Peter’s in Jersey City. They took him within the 24th spherical of the 2010 draft and transformed him right into a pitcher. Mullee pitched in three big-league video games in 2016.
Presbott’s connections in New York helped him and the Yankees in different methods.
“He gave us anyone with the Yankees in New York City that had the persistence and the work ethic and the information of virtually anyone who performs and comes by way of New York. It gave a consolation degree for a scouting director that he was going to steer us to the suitable guys and know the gamers and the household,’’ stated Yankees newbie scouting director Damon Oppenheimer, Presbott’s boss since 2005.
“Families appreciated Cesar and actually revered him. He represented the Yankee model to those households and younger youngsters actual good. His information of Betances was second to none by way of newbie scouts. He painted a extremely good image of who he was as a child and his household.’’
Presbott appreciates the respect he obtained throughout his time with the Yankees.
“I really feel very excited. The Yankees at all times handled me with respect. Brian Cashman … is my angel,’’ stated Presbott, who additionally labored intently with Hank’s Yanks which was began by the late Hank Steinbrenner.
