It’s a good time to be a Yankees fan. There’s an exciting up and coming squad in the Bronx, a farm system stock full of major league ready reinforcements at positions of need. There’s far off high upside bats and high octane teenage arms. Say what you will about my New England zip code, it’s difficult to not appreciate what Cashman & Co. have done in a few short years. Bravo! Though this next statement might make “spit” a permanent ingredient of my morning java at my local cafe, I’ll let it fly anyway. The Yankees were my favorite team to watch in 2017, and I can’t imagine that changes much with Stanton, Gleyber, Andujar, and others now in tow. “Watchability” aside this is one of the top farm systems in all of baseball. They pair high end talent, close to the majors impact, with extreme depth. As I mentioned in my Dodgers Preview, financial might doesn’t just buy you free agents, it buys you the best in scouting and resources. The Yankees fortunately/unfortunately have that in spades. Enough of the Yankee ball washing, let’s get into their top 200 prospects, kidding…kinda. It’s the New York Yankees Top Prospects for 2018.
1. Gleyber Torres, SS | Age: 21 | Level: AAA | 2017 Stats: .287/.383/.480 7 HR, 34 RBI, 7 SB
One of the most hyped, but also one of most highly contested fantasy prospects. No one denies Gleyber’s real life impact, but there are some who think he’ll be just pedestrian for fantasy. I believe in the all around offensive skillset, and still think Torres has the upside of a superstar, even if he doesn’t have a standout category. He might not break camp with the Yankees this year, but he’s fully participating this spring and looks just about 100%. Gleyber’s a good bet to be the future second baseman for the many years to come. I can’t tell you just how good Torres will be in a few years, but I do believe it will be a player everyone wants to own. ETA: 2018
2. Estevan Florial, OF Yankees | Age: 20 | Level: A+ | 2017 Stats: .298/.372/.479, 13 HR, 57 RBI, 23 SB
The Prince of Port Au, Florial is the best thing to come out of Haiti since Toussaint Louverture. He mixes an elite power/speed mix with an above average hit tool. Florial has the upside of a 25/25 fantasy superstar, and could see his prospect status explode over the next year. He strikes out too much, which will likely limit his upside, but Florial has consistently put up double digit walk rates. One of the loudest sets of tools in the minors, Florial is the Yankees prospect with the highest upside, especially for fantasy. Must be owned in any dynasty format. ETA: 2020
3. Miguel Andujar, 3B | Age: 23 | 2017 Level: AAA | .315/.352/.498, 16 HR, 82 RBI, 5 SB
I think he might be breaking out… Yeah, he’s pretty much the hottest name going through the first few weeks of Spring Training, as Andujar is hitting everything. The elite power is evident when you see the third baseman get a hold of one. He’s been more of a contact hit with above average power, but has always hinted at plus pop in his legendary batting practice exploits. There’s real buzz that he might just make the Yankees out of camp, and while it seemed highly unlikely a few weeks ago, it’s gaining steam with each strong performance. If the recent power surge is the progression of Andujar, we might be looking at yet another 30 homer bat in the Bombers lineup. ETA: 2018
4. Chance Adams, RHP | Age:21 | Level: AAA | 2017 Stats: 15-5, 150.1 IP, 2.45 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 135 K, 58 Bb
A former fifth round pick, Adams is a converted college reliever who continues to pass each test with flying colors. He mixes a low to mid-90’s fastball with an above average slider, an average curve, and a work in progress changeup. Many see Adams as a mid-rotation type in the mold of Jordan Zimmermann, back when he was good, not now. Doesn’t miss tons of bats, but enough to be relevant, his control and movement play up his fastball. Unfortunately Adams faces the baptism by fire in the AL East. Stout pitcher’s build despite his height, somewhat violent delivery, but he looks like an MLB ready arm. ETA: 2018
5. Justus Sheffield, LHP | Age: 21 | Level: AA | 2017 Stats: 7-6, 93 IP, 3.18 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 82 Ks, 33 Bb
Sheffield came over in the Andrew Miller deal back in 2016, and has produced very good to great results at each level since joining the Yankees organization. The lefty touches 98 MPH with his double plus rising fastball, he pairs the heater with a above average slider that flashes plus, and his changeup another above average offering with plus showings. The concerns with Justus are never the stuff as much as the frame, injury history, and high effort delivery. Despite these concerns, Justus’ pairing of high velocity, deception, and above average or better offerings in his breaking ball and offspeed pitches, make him a potential useful fantasy starter for years to come. ETA: 2018
6. Albert Abreu, RHP | Age: 22 | Level: A+ | 2017 Stats: 2-3, 53.1 IP, 3.37 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 61 Ks, 18 Bb
With Gary Sanchez ready to take over as the everyday catcher, the Yankees did well to net a couple of high upside arms in Albert Abreu and Jorge Guzman for Brian McCann. The latter of which was used to net Giancarlo Stanton this offseason. Long an exciting but frustrating talent, Abreu grew a lot throughout a trying 2017, and impressed many who watched him in the Arizona Fall League, even if the results weren’t stellar. The knock on Abreu continues to be the thrower label, but he has made strides with his pitchability the last year in the Yankees organization. His fastball is double plus, reaching triple digits on occasion, with the rest of his arsenal consisting of a curveball that flashes plus, and an evolving changeup. There’s still a ton of work that needs to be done, but if Abreu can unlock his control, and learn to be a pitcher, there’s front of the rotation potential. ETA: 2020
7. Luis Medina, RHP | Age: 18 | Level: RK | 2017 Stats: 2-2, 38.2 IP, 5.35 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 39 Ks, 24 Bb
A raw power arm with elite fastball velocity at just 18 years old. Medina is the type where he’s all stuff and projection over results at this point. The owner of three plus offerings already, a robust arsenal that consists of a true 80 grade fastball, with big velocity and run, an inconsistent, but filthy curveball, and a developed changeup that too flashes plus. There’s one problem, Medina has no idea where anything is going once it leaves his hand. Lacking command and control, Medina will look to refine his impressive repertoire in 2018. ETA: 2021
8. Dermis Garcia, 3B | Age: 19 | Level: A | 2017 Stats: .249/.357/.542, 17 HR, 45 RBI, 6 SB
Let me tell you a little story about a man name Skin. Well, kind of named skin, but I’m pretty sure it means…skin. Unusual first name aside, Dermis is a man beast with a walloping stick. Easy plus bat speed, and raw power, the ball jumps off of Garcia’s bat. Certainly one of the most under-appreciated talents in the Pinstripes system. A typical three outcome power hitter with on base skills, but some swing and miss to match. The flyballs and strikeouts will limit Garcia’s value, but his power and on base ability will make him a high OPS player at peak. ETA: 2021
9. Domingo Acevedo, RHP | Age: 23 | Level: AAA | 2017 Stats: 6-6, 133 IP, 3.25 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 142 Ks, 34 Bb
The 6’6, 240 lbs behemoth has been stashed away in the Yankees farm for what feels like half a decade. In 2017 Acevedo touched AAA, and dominated AA with Trenton, posting a 2.38 ERA, with 82 strikeouts to just 17 walks in 79 frames. Despite a big frame, and lots of hitches in his unorthodox delivery, he manages to stay square with the plate and deliver strikes with great frequency. Nothing Acevedo throws is straight, with an upper 90’s fastball, that touches triple digits, an improving slider that some think has a plus ceiling, and a changeup that gets above average to plus grades. Acevedo might not be that far from the show, but some questions about his durability cloud his future as a starter. The 130+ inning workload in 2017 was a step in the right direction, with big stuff, bat missing ability, and an improving arsenal it wouldn’t be a shock to see Acevedo take a step forward again in 2018. ETA: 2019
10. Everson Pereira, OF | Age: 16 | Level: N/A | 2017 Stats: 2017 International Signing
One of the top hitters available in the 2017 International Class, Pereira joined the Yankees on signing day for $1.5 million. An athletic up the middle player with speed, defense, and a line drive swing. If he grows into power Pereira could develop into a 5 tool stud, that’s the gamble you take when investing in a player like Pereira in dynasty. ETA: 2023
11. Raimfer Salinas, OF | Age: 17 | Level: N/A | 2017 Stats: 2017 International Signing
A late signee in the International window of 2017, Salinas is a Venezuelan product with a storied amateur background. His bat speed, speed and raw athleticism lead many to believe he could be an impact offensive player. There are some concerns around his tendency to swing and miss, but that’s not uncommon of these loud tools/raw approach types. ETA: 2022
12. Tyler Austin, 1B | Age: 26 | Level: AAA | 2017 Stats: .286/.357/.562, 10 HR, 33 RBI, 0 SB
A player already making noise this spring, Austin will never be an everyday player in New York, and at 26 he’s bordering on that line of AAAA first base only type. There might be a backup role for Austin this season in New York, and I still believe it’s possible he could carve out a couple of fringe fantasy seasons as a second division regular. ETA: 2018
13. Matt Sauer, RHP | Age: 19 | Level: RK | 2017 Stats: 0-2, 12 IP, 5.40 ERA, 1.80 WHIP, 12 Ks, 8 Bb
A second round pick out of the California prep ranks, Sauer signed well above his draft slot of 54th overall for a hair under $2.5 million. This is a testament to just how much confidence the Yanks have in the young righthander. He mixes a fastball that sits 92-97, with a slider and a curveball, as well as a raw changeup. There’s some concerns about his delivery, with a head whack, and some crossfire to his arm action. All in all, a really nice far off arm with athleticism, stuff, and projectability. ETA: 2021
14. Freicer Perez, RHP | Age: 21 | Level: A | 2017 Stats: 10-3, 124 IP, 2.84 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 117 Ks, 45 Bb
A giant righthander that reminds some of Dellin Betances, Perez features a mid-high 90’s fastball, a plus changeup, and two fringe breaking balls. He has really funky mechanics, and some kinks to iron out, but there’s mid-rotation upside worth gambling on in deeper formats. If Perez is moved into the bullpen at some point, we might be looking at yet another possible power pen arm in this system. ETA: 2020
15. Dillon Tate, RHP | Age: 23 | Level: AA | 2017 Stats: 7-2, 83.1 IP, 2.81 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 63 Ks, 24 Bb
The former 4th overall pick in the 2015 draft, Tate was acquired for Carlos Beltran at the 2016 trade deadline, and has seen his career derailed by hamstring, back, and shoulder issues. When he pitched last year Tate looked very good, some might even say he warrants a higher grade here, but really the strikeouts just weren’t at a level that provides fantasy value. That said, his arsenal of a mid-90’s fastball, changeup, and slider is above average, and word out of camp is he’s added a two seam variation of his fastball. It’s far too early to write off Tate, but he certainly does not have the fantasy ceiling we once projected. There’s still some pen risk here, but so far it looks like the club prefers him as a starter. ETA: 2019
16. Clarke Schmidt, RHP | Age: 22 | Level: N/A | 2017 Stats: Did Not Play Injured
The Yankees first round pick in the 2017 draft, Schmidt missed all of 2017 after going under the knife for Tommy John surgery. Pre-injury, Schmidt was excellent at South Carolina, dominating high level competition. He mixes a low-mid 90’s four-seam fastball, a two seamer, a slider, and a changeup. On the shelf for a majority, if not all of 2018. ETA: 2021
17. Juan Then, RHP | Age: 18 | Level: RK | 2017 Stats: 2-2, 61.1 IP, 2.64 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 56 Ks, 15 Bb
A young projectable starter the Yanks stole from the Mariners, Then mixes a mid 90’s fastball with a nice curveball, and a changeup. The delivery is pretty raw, and there’s a lot to iron out, but there’s a nice baseline of skills. ETA: 2022
18. Tyler Wade, SS/2B | Age: 23 | Level: AAA | 2017 Stats: .310/.382/.460, 7 HR, 31 RBI, 26 SB
This is one of those players I just can’t figure out. While Wade looked awful in his major league debut, he was excellent in AAA and was just 22 years old. He tapped into more game power last year, adding a dimension to his game that was lacking. He possesses plus baserunning ability, an above average hit tool, and enough defensive flexibility to fit a super utility role. Should see some time in the Bronx this summer. ETA: 2018
19. Billy McKinney, OF/1B | Age: 23 | Level: AAA | 2017 Stats: .277/.338/.483, 16 HR, 64 RBI, 2 SB
There’s some hitters that despite a lack of excitement just always seem to find major league playing time, though they are not much of anything long term. I think that’s the case with McKinney. He has a solid enough hit tool, but struggles against good breaking balls and off speed pitches, and doesn’t have enough power or speed to really register on the fantasy radar. ETA: 2019
20. Domingo German, RHP | Age: 25 | Level: AAA | 2017 Stats: 8-6, 109.1 IP, 2.88 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 119 Ks, 32 Bb
A power pitcher with a tweener profile, German made his MLB debut in 2017, after dominating the upper minors. German mixes a mid 90’s heater that’s been clocked as high as 97, with a curveball, and a changeup, that both hint at average or better potential. If German can develop his secondaries into major league pitches, he could hit a mid-rotation type ceiling. More than likely he ends up a reliever. ETA: 2018
The Next Five: Trevor Stephan, RHP, Glenn Otto, RHP, Taylor Widener, RHP, Thairo Estrada, SS/2B, Antonio Cabello, C
Find all of the 30 Minor League Previews, and Offseason Rankings on the Minor League Index
On Twitter as @ProspectJesus
