NEW YORK -- Robinson Cano's first cracks at a renewed 2009 are taking shape in the Dominican Winter League, where the Yankees second baseman is incorporating adjustments to his approach and finding success.

Cleared by the organization to play one month as a designated hitter for Las Estrellas de Oriente, the 26-year-old Cano is batting .303 (10-for-33) with eight runs scored, five doubles and seven RBIs in eight games.

Cano was dissatisfied with the way his '08 campaign played out. He finished batting .271 with 14 home runs and 72 RBIs in 159 games -- his first season after signing a four-year, $30 million pact with New York.

He vowed that he would take measures to avoid a repeat of the frustrating experience, and quickly linked with a personal trainer to help trim body fat and get in better shape for the spring.

"It's a year that I'm going to learn from and not be back in this situation again," Cano said in September. "This is a year that you can just say, 'OK, this is not happening again.'"

Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long spent six days in the Dominican Republic with Cano last month, continuing to oversee mechanical tweaks that first took root as the club played out the string. Cano batted .410 (16-for-39) with four doubles and a home run in his last 10 games of the regular season.

Long outlined pieces of his blueprint for Cano then, saying that by eliminating excess action, he could be in a better position to hit, squaring up more with the pitcher. Addressing Cano's strike-zone discipline was also high on the to-do list.

"You're going to see a huge difference visually," Long said. "You'll see less movement, an explosive, compact swing, and you'll probably see more home runs. I think his average will go way up, and I think his walks will go way up."

Here is a look at how the other Yankees prospects are doing in the fall/winter leagues:

Dominican Winter League

LHP Wilkins Arias: Arias has relieved in 13 games for Las Aguilas Cibeanas and is 0-1 with a 15.95 ERA. He has allowed 13 earned runs and 12 hits in 7 1/3 innings, walking seven and striking out 10.

OF Melky Cabrera: Cabrera has 13 hits in his first 38 at-bats (.342) for Las Aguilas Cibeanas, having played 10 games. The 23-year-old outfielder -- New York's Opening Day center fielder in 2008 -- has two doubles, six runs scored and five RBIs, plus a stolen base.

RHP Oneli Perez: A June waiver-claim acquisition from the Indians, Perez ranks third in the DWL with six saves and has a 4.05 ERA in 14 games for Tigres del Licey. He has allowed six earned runs and 15 hits in 13 1/3 innings, walking seven and striking out 14.

RHP Amaury Sanit: Sanit has a 5.19 ERA in seven relief appearances for Tigres del Licey, allowing five runs on eight hits in 7 2/3 innings. He has walked three and struck out seven.

Puerto Rican Winter League

RHP Ian Kennedy: Playing for Los Indios de Mayaguez, New York's No. 1 Draft selection in 2006 started and recorded a win in his last start on Sunday at Los Lobos de Arecibo, throwing a complete-game shutout, striking out seven and scattering three hits and a walk. It marked Kennedy's first professional complete game (he threw eight innings with the Tampa Yankees on May 2, 2007). He has not allowed a run in three of his five starts this winter, faring 2-1 with a 1.57 ERA.

RHP Jonathan Albaladejo: Returning from a right elbow injury, Albaladejo has not allowed a run in 7 2/3 innings with Los Indios de Mayaguez, recording five saves in five chances. He has given up four hits and a walk, with four strikeouts and a wild pitch.

Venezuelan Winter League

C Francisco Cervelli: New York's most big league-ready catching prospect, Cervelli is hitting .257 (9-for-35) with a home run in 16 games for Cardenales de Lara. Cervelli played 21 games at Double-A Trenton before making it into three games with the Yankees in September.

IF Reegie Corona: Playing for Navegantes del Magallanes, Corona is batting .268 (15-for-56) with 10 runs scored, five doubles, one homer and nine RBIs in 26 games. He played 129 games at Trenton, hitting .274 with three homers and 39 RBIs.

IF Edwar Gonzalez: Through 15 games for Cardenales de Lara, Gonzalez is batting .324 (11-for-34) with four runs scored, one triple, one home run and five RBIs.

IF Carlos Mendoza: Mendoza has four hits in 11 at-bats (.364) for Cardenales de Lara, having appeared in 16 games and logging an RBI and walk, striking out four times.

LHP Edgar Soto: Pitching for Aguilas del Zulia, Soto allowed five runs in one inning of work, a 45.00 ERA.

Mexican Pacific League

OF Justin Christian: After making his big league debut in 2008 with New York, Christian is hitting .294 (42-for-143) through 35 games for Caneros de Los Mochis. Christian has three homers and 17 RBIs, walking 13 times and striking out 21. He is tied for first in the MPL with 12 stolen bases.

INF Walter Ibarra: Through 29 games, Ibarra is batting .203 (14-for-69) with two RBIs and three runs scored for Naranjeros de Hermosillo.

INF Ramiro Pena: Pena is batting .250 (13-for-52) with four runs scored, two doubles, one homer and six RBIs in 16 games for Tomateros de Culiacan.