Examining the New York Yankees’ Minor Leagues – The Second Basemen
by James Vlietstra
February 15, 2021
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The Second Basemen:
It took most of the offseason, but predictably, the Yankees kept their all-star second baseman. DJ LeMahieu signed a $90 Million contract that will keep him in pinstripes for the next six years. LeMahieu led MLB in batting average in 2020 while providing gold glove caliber defense.
Utility man Thairo Estrada is capable of filling in if LeMahieu needs a day off or slides over to first to serve as a late inning defensive replacement. Tyler Wade is also around in a pinch.
The Yankees’ third round pick in the 2020 amateur draft was 22-year old Trevor Hauver. He is 22nd on the MLB Pipeline’s Top-30 Prospects. Right behind him in 23rd is 21-year old Ezequiel Duran. Duran spent 2019 at Staten Island.
Many of the Yankees minor leaguers that I have listed below for second base have spent a substantial amount of time at other positions, most notably short stop and third base. However, second has been their primary spot on the diamond.
AAA:
A pair of 23-year-olds who spent most of 2019 in Tampa are likely to make the jump up to Scranton for the 2021 season. Matt Pita and Kyle Gray aren’t flashy big names but will hold down the position. If either Estrada or Wade don’t make the big club, they’ll also spend time in Triple-A.
AA:
Over in Somerset, look for a pair of former top 30 prospects. 23-year-old Diego Castillo and 21-year-old Oswaldo Cabrera. They also both spent much of 2019 in Tampa.
A:
Hudson Valley will likely have 22-year-old Wilkerman Garcia along with 21-year-old Eduardo Torrealba. Charleston was his home in 2019.
If this plays out, that leaves Duran and Hauver to stick it out close to the facility in Tampa where the top evaluators can keep a close eye on them.
Further down in the development chain, here are some other second basemen:
Angel Rojas, 20 GCL
Sincere Smith, 20 GCL
Ronny Rojas, 19 GCL
Miguel Marte, 19 GCL
Jose Olmenares, 18 DSL
Carlos Verdecia, 18 DSL
Jeison Anillo 2019 IFA
