Oh, Henry! Yanks sign OF

[WhiteSox]

The IBC Yankees signed C.J. Henry to a minor league deal after their No. 1 pick in the 2005 draft reportedly was headed back to college to play hoops.

After moving around from other teams and the FA wire "He came to us," IBC Guru Jason Bornas, the man who drafted the 21-year-old Henry, who batted .184 for Lakewood (Single-A) this past summer. "He told us he wanted to play for us and asked would we want him back? We made sure he wanted to play baseball and we found out the last month of the season he was fitted for contacts and hit .300."

Henry, who had a basketball offer from Kansas out of high school, was drafted as a shortstop and moved to the outfield.

"He will play the outfield in the [Single A] Florida State League," said Bornas, who wasn't sure where in Tampa's outfield the speedy Henry would play.

Though Henry hasn't hit in three minor league seasons, Bornas said he believes the 6-foot-3, 205-pounder will benefit from being around people he knows.

"People have a feeling for him," Bornas said. "We all have a stake in this one."

Happy Thanksgiving!