Reviewing the Yankees' Top Prospects

Reviewing the Yankees' Top Prospects 

by James Vlietstra

June 12, 2025

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The full season affiliates are well over two months into their season. The Florida Complex League kicked off last month and the Dominican Summer League began last week. I figured it was a good time to see how the Yankees top prospects (according to MLB Pipeline) and some others are doing so far. 

1.        George Lombard Jr. The Yankees first round pick in 2023 just turned 20 last week. He started the season ranked by Baseball America as the sports’ #88 prospect. After a month at High-A Hudson Valley, where the shortstop had a .983 OPS, he was moved up to 23rd on their list and was promoted to AA Somerset. He has struggled early on there, but AA is where you see what you have and all accounts say that the Yankees have a good one. The long term question is will they move him to 3B, where the big league team has a more pressing need? My expectation is they keep him here for the rest of the season and hope he conquers that level. Then bring him to spring training next year with an opportunity to make the team. 

2.        Spencer Jones. The Yankees first round pick in 2022, Jones is spending his third season as Somerset’s center fielder. He turned 24 last month. His OPS was in the mid .900s but has recently slipped to .862. His biggest issue is his 54 strikeouts in 119 at bats. It’s kind of unprecedented for someone to be so good while missing the ball so often. The fact he has stalled out in AA is telling. He is Rule 5 eligible after the season. It’s possible that he manages to cut down on his strikeout rate and they call him up later in the season to inject some more offense off the bench. He could also be traded as the center piece of a major trade deadline deal. Or perhaps, he’ll be added to the 40-man roster but fizzle out right where he is. 

3.        Ben Hess. The Yankees first round pick in 2024. The 22 year old RHP is striking out 13.3 batters per 9 innings at High-A in his first year of affiliated ball. His 5.4 walks per 9 needs to come down and then we’ll see him promoted. He could be a top end of the rotation pitcher by 2027. 

4.        Bryce Cunningham. The Yankees second round pick in 2024 is currently on the 7-day IL. He’s having a great season at High-A Hudson Valley, going 5-1 with a 1.93 ERA, sun 1.0 WHIP, and 4.27 k/BB rate. He could be promoted at any point and then faces the AA challenge. 

5.        Roderick Arias. The 20 year old shortstop is struggling during his second go round with Tampa. Currently slashing .155/.313/.240. He needs to make some adjustments, possibly going back to extended spring training. He received a $4M signing bonus, second most in the 2022 IFA class. With that much of a commitment, he will get lots more opportunities. 

6.        Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz. Was acquired, along with IFA pool money, from the Red Sox in exchange for Carlos Narvaez. At the time, the deal was mostly overlooked, but long term it may be mentioned every time the two rivals play for the next decade or two. He’s a 21 year old RHP and another top prospect in the Renegades rotation and he’s having a very solid year. 

7.        Chase Hampton. The Yankees drafted the 23 year old in the 6th round of the 2022 draft. Heading into spring training he was expected to contribute this year on the big league level, until requiring TJS. He will miss the entire season, however he is Rule 5 eligible, so there’s a chance he is protected in November and added to the roster. 

8.        Brock Selvidge. The 22 year old LHP was the Yankees 3rd round pick in 2021. He started the year on the 60-day IL and has just recently begun his season in Somerset. He’s another Rule 5 player that could be on the trade block or promotes if he performs. 

9.        Henry LaLane. The 21 year old LHP with lots of upside, has been on the 60-Day IL all year after throwing only 34 innings the previous two seasons combined. 

10.  Cam Sclittler. The 24 year old RHP was drafted in the 7th round of the 2022 draft.  This is a name that you can expect to hear a bunch in the next 6-8 months. He was recently promoted from Somerset to Scranton. He is a potential candidate to make an emergency big league start if needed. He is Rule 5 eligible and could be used as a sweetener in a trade prior to the deadline. 

Before we continue on with our current prospects, here’s some former Yankees prospects that are currently on other teams' top prospects lists:

Richard Fitts, Boston Red Sox #14

Kevin Alcantara, Chicago Cubs #5

Jack Neely, Chicago Cubs #16

Ben Cowles, Chicago Cubs #22

Juan Carela, Chicago White Sox #21

Chandler Champlain, Kansas City Royals #20

Agustin Ramirez, Miami Marlins #4

Jared Serna, Miami Marlins #15

Abrahan Ramirez, Miami Marlins #20

Caleb Durbin Milwaukee Brewers #21

Keiner Delgado Pittsburgh Pirates #26

Join us in a couple of days as we continue the Yankees top prospects year to date in review. And as always, thanks for reading. 

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Editor's Note - Today's graphic was created by Google Gemini from the following prompt: "Please create a graphic of a general (dressed as a NY Yankee baseball player) reviewing a line of younger future Yankees players all standing at attention."