An Overview Of The Top Prospects In the System

by James Vlietstra July 2, 2020

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Every off season I put together a spreadsheet of Yankees top prospects from several different publications. Please see the chart at the end of this post. I collected a total of 23 publications since the end of the 2019 season. In total, over 130 prospects made at least one list.

Before graduating several high profile prospects like Gary Sanchez, Aaron Judge, and Gleyber Torres, the Yankees farm system was ranked among the top three to four in the league. Since then they dropped towards the bottom third, but this could be quickly changing. Strong drafts and astute international scouting have the Yankees rebounding going into this season and once again may place them in the top 6-8 teams.

The Yankees’ depth ranges vastly in regard to players’ ages and their positions.

The aggregate top 25 of the lists includes 11 right-handed pitchers, 6 outfielders, 3 shortstops, 3 second basemen, 1 catcher, and 1 left-handed pitcher.

In regard to the age of the prospects, seven are teenagers and another nine are either 20 or 21 year-old

Last fall, the Yankees added several of these top 25 players to their 40-man roster. They will be part of the 60-man practice squad. There is a good chance that several of these young men will make their Major League debuts this season and each could have a great impact on the pennant race.

The nine players have a combined one Major League appearance, made by Michael King late last season. Clarke Schmidt is not currently on the 40-man roster, but he was a leading option to make the team had spring training not been shut down in March.

The rest of the players include right-handed pitchers Albert Abreu, Deivi Garcia, Luis Gil, Miguel Yajure, Nick Nelson, and Luis Medina along with outfielder Estevan Florial.

The 2020 season will begin with an expanded active roster of 30 players. Florial could be an option to make the team as the extra inning base runner. The pitchers are candidates to rotate in as needed.

The Minor League season has just been cancelled so the remainder of the prospects will be relegated to playing Independent League ball or training at the facility in Tampa. Hopefully they will be able to play later in the fall so they don’t lose an entire year of development.

With camp reopening and the season mere weeks away, baseball is coming back and I am very excited about the upcoming chase for a 28th World Series Championship!