James Vliestra assembles and analyses all of the top Yankees prospect names to know! Today we feature ranks #15-11!
Brandon Mayea (OF):
Age (As of 4/1/23): 17.5 Years Old
Height/Weight: 5'11" & 170 Pounds
Acquired: Signed as an International Free Agent in 2023 for $4.35M
Rule 5 Eligible: December, 2027
2022 Review:
Mayea has been on the Yankees radar for 2-3 years already. They signed him in January to headline this year's international free agent class.
2023 Preview:
Now for the hype to produce on the field. He will make his debut this summer in the DSL.
2023 Preseason Cross-Publication Prospect Rankings:
(Note: Asterisks indicates the list was released before his signing became official.)
Analysis of Rankings:
His recent signing means most publications had already released their rankings. The ones that didn't just kind of placed him in the mid teens for now. He has several years ahead of him to hopefully eventually climb.
Drew Thorpe (RHP):
Age (As of 4/1/23): 22.5 Years Old
Height/Weight: 6'4" & 190 Pounds
Acquired: Drafted in the 2nd Round of the 2022 MLB First Year Player Draft for $1.18M
Rule 5 Eligible: December, 2025
2022 Review:
Thorpe was the Yankees 2nd round pick last summer out of Cal Poly. He has yet to make professional debut. He threw 104.2 college innings last year striking out 12.8/9. His WHIP was only 0.86 thanks in part to a 2.1 BB/9 rate.
2023 Preview:
Thorpe seems pretty polished already. I can see him flying right through Tampa and Hudson Valley this year. It will be interesting to see how aggressive they are with him.
2023 Preseason Cross-Publication Prospect Rankings:
Analysis of Rankings:
He is pretty universally a top 15 prospect. Not bad for never having played professionally.
Luis Gil (RHP):
Age (As of 4/1/23): 24.8 Years Old
Height/Weight: 6'2" & 185 Pounds
Acquired: Acquired in a trade with the Minnesota Twins (for Jake Cave)
Rule 5 Eligible: Currently on 40-Man Roster
2022 Review:
After an impressive Major League debut season in 2021, Gil was expected to contribute to a formidable Yankees bullpen in 2022. However he was injured and required Tommy John Surgery after only 4 innings.
2023 Preview:
He will miss a majority of the season as he battles back from the injury. He won't have much room for error when he returns as he is now out of options. There is a possibility that he is recovered in time to help with this year's pennant chase.
2023 Preseason Cross-Publication Prospect Rankings:
Analysis of Rankings:
Gil has a lot of believers that think he will return and once again be a key contributor in 2024.
Keiner Delgado (SS):
Age (As of 4/1/23): 19.2 Years Old
Height/Weight: 5'8" & 145 Pounds
Acquired: Signed as an International Free Agent in 2021
Rule 5 Eligible: December, 2025
2022 Review:
Delgado turned heads last year in the DSL where he averaged more than a walk, a hit, and just under a run scored every game. Both his OBP and SLG were over .500 for a 1.010 OPS to go with his 1.030 V-Rating.
2023 Preview:
He should be coming stateside to continue his progression in the FCL in 2023. I can see him forcing his way into the Tampa lineup.
2023 Preseason Cross-Publication Prospect Rankings:
Analysis of Rankings:
He is not on the lists of several of the publications but the ones he is on have him ranked highly. Guessing next year he's on every list.
Will Warren (RHP):
Age (As of 4/1/23): 23.7 Years Old
Height/Weight: 6'2" & 175 Pounds
Acquired: Drafted in the 8th Round of the 2021 MLB First Year Player Draft for $150K
Rule 5 Eligible: December, 2024
2022 Review:
Warren was last year's fast riser. He made his professional debut for Hudson Valley and eight starts later was promoted to AA. In total he threw 129 innings and had a walk rate of 2.9/9.
2023 Preview:
This year he will probably be in Scranton and among the first to be added to the 40 man roster and called up if an emergency starter is needed. I can see him being requested in lots of trade talks. Major League ready but currently option number 8 or 9 on a playoff contending team.
2023 Preseason Cross-Publication Prospect Rankings:
Analysis of Rankings:
Pretty universal top 10.
