James Vliestra assembles and analyses all of the top Yankees prospect names to know! Today we feature ranks #65-61.
Eric Reyzelman (RHP):
Age (As of 4/1/23): 21.7 Years Old
Height/Weight: 6'2" & 190 Pounds
Acquired: Drafted in the 5th Round of the 2022 MLB First Year Player Draft for $338K
Rule 5 Eligible: December, 2025
2022 Review:
Reyzelman only pitched professional 4 innings after being drafted last summer. During his time in college he was a relief pitcher that walked 5.2/9 and struck out 11.8/9.
2023 Preview:
He should start the year in Tampa. The system brought in a lot of college arms last year and I'm expecting some of them to advance quickly. Reyzelman could be one of them.
2023 Preseason Cross-Publication Prospect Rankings:
Analysis of Rankings:
Reyzelman is being overshadowed by other college arms and didn't make much of an appearance professional last year, so he's mostly an unknown as of now.
Jordarlin Mendoza (RHP):
Age (As of 4/1/23): 19.3 Years Old
Height/Weight: 6'0" & 175 Pounds
Acquired: Signed as an International Free Agent in 2021
Rule 5 Eligible: December, 2025
2022 Review:
Mendoze threw 55 impressive innings in the DSL last year with a sub 3 ERA. 1.145 WHIP, 12.6 K/9, 3.1 BB/9, and 4.05 K/BB rate. He was also by far his team's work horse, throwing 15% more innings than any other pitcher.
2023 Preview:
A move stateside is all but inevitable and he will be in the FCL this year. Facing more advanced batters with an increase towards 80-90 innings should be a manageable workload.
2023 Preseason Cross-Publication Prospect Rankings:
Analysis of Rankings:
Mendoza will become a notable name this season once he gets playing in the FCL.
Jack Neely (RHP):
Age (As of 4/1/23): 22.8 Years Old
Height/Weight: 6'8" & 225 Pounds
Acquired: Drafted in the 11th Round of the 2021 MLB First Year Player Draft for $150K
Rule 5 Eligible: December, 2024
2022 Review:
Last season, Neely threw 50 relief innings while mostly in Tampa. His K/9 rate was 15.6, which while still incredibly high and impressive actually dropped his career rate to 15.8!
2023 Preview:
He should start out the year at Hudson Valley and if he can lower his walk rate slightly he should shoot up the minors and could be on the radar to be a bullpen contributor next season in his final year before being Rule 5 eligible.
2023 Preseason Cross-Publication Prospect Rankings:
Analysis of Rankings:
Currently a fringe too 50. Could jump up 20 spots by mid season.
Henry Lalane (LHP):
Age (As of 4/1/23): 18.8 Years Old
Height/Weight: 6'7" & 210 Pounds
Acquired: Signed as an International Free Agent in 2019 for $350K
Rule 5 Eligible: December, 2025
2022 Review:
In his second season in the DSL, "Little Randy Johnson" made tremendous strides. Lalane pitched 48.1 innings to a a sub-3 ERA, a 1.014 WHIP, a 2.6 BB/9, and 3.71 K/W rate.
2023 Preview:
He will look to continue to improve this year while moving up into the FCL. His control is already impressive which will assist his ascension in next year's lists.
2023 Preseason Cross-Publication Prospect Rankings:
Analysis of Rankings:
Lalane is a fringe Top-60 guy who was the potential to rise quickly.
Brandon Lockridge (CF):
Age (As of 4/1/23): 26.0 Years Old
Height/Weight: 6'1" & 185 Pounds
Acquired: Drafted in the 5th Round of the 2018 MLB First Year Player Draft for $320K
Rule 5 Eligible: December, 2023
2022 Review:
At the end of 2021, Lockridge had just conquered Somerset to the tune of a .940 OPS in 40 games. The center fielder was expected to be selected in the Rule 5 Draft, yet due to the labor dispute that draft was canceled and Lockridge was returned to AA. No one would have been surprised if he repeated his performance and was called to the Bronx. Instead he struggled mightily and only managed a .678 OPS.
2023 Preview:
At this point, Lockridge is hoping to compete with the veterans in Scranton. The top outfield prospects in the system has passed him by and his best opportunity will come after a trade.
2023 Preseason Cross-Publication Prospect Rankings:
Analysis of Rankings:
Lockridge's stock has dropped considerably. So much that I'd argue that those putting him in the top 30 didn't pay attention to last year, or are extremely bullish on it being a fluke or filler.
