One of the Yankees “crown jewels” (of their farm system) – Jose Tabata – is really starting to lose his shine.

As you may recall, four weeks ago, Tabata found himself in hot water with Trenton management. Now, he’s at it again. Via John Nalbone:

Thunder right fielder Jose Tabata was yanked from tonight’s game against visiting New Hampshire in the fifth inning for unspecified disciplinary reasons.

Suspended three games by the Yankees for leaving Waterfront Park following an April 26 strikeout that dropped his batting average below .200, Tabata was expelled from the dugout and was seen sitting in front of his locker as the Fisher Cats grabbed a 4-3 lead in the eighth inning on a two-run home run by Aaron Mathews.

The Thunder (34-19) eventually won the game, 7-4, by scoring three times in the bottom of the eighth to avoid a four-game sweep at the hands of the Fisher Cats (19-33).

Manager Tony Franklin refused to address the specifics as to why the 19-year-old Tabata was pulled and sent back to the clubhouse.

“We had an in-house issue we needed to deal with. Don’t ask me what it is because I’m not telling you,” a visibly irritated Franklin said. “We’re very pleased with the way he is playing. He is playing hard. But there are certain standards that need to be met within this organization and with this team, and when those standards are not met we take action. It’s our job to make sure these players know what they are supposed to do at all times out there.”

Franklin did not rule out further discipline for Tabata, who was 0-for-2 before being removed.

“We’ll decide on that later,” Franklin said. “We’ll bring him in, talk to him and explain what we want to see him do and how we’d like to see him go about it.”

It turns out that Jose was benched for failing to back-up Austin Jackson on a play where Jackson dove for a ball and it rolled past him allowing the batter to reach third.

Nothing new there. Via Mike Ashmore three days ago:

Could not agree more with a scouting report I saw on Jose Tabata that says he tends to turn his talent on and off. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen him make no effort on catchable balls that are hit right at him that end up landing. Anthony Hatch hit a ball off of Melancon in the 5th that was right to him, but he barely moved and watched it land about three feet in front of him. I hate to rip the guy, but enough already…

Back in October of 2006, I shared some concern over Tabata’s attitude. Also, this past January, I quoted a Baseball America scouting report on Tabata that read: “Scouts outside the organization chide him for failing to give a consistent effort.”

Of course, Jose Tabata is young and there’s still time for him to get a better attitude. But, until that time comes, it probably makes sense to downgrade his prospect status in the Yankees chain. Because, right now, he’s looking like a Bow-Wow in the making.