EJ's Top 30 Yankees Prospects
I’ve done this for four years now, and this is probably the worst list of prospects that I’m written since before Chamberlain and Kennedy were drafted. That said, there’s a lot of interesting promise on the list, and some names should produce immediate dividends for the Yankees.
The good: We finally have some decent LHPs on the list. The Yankees have a ton of depth at catcher.
The bad: More than ever, this list is dominated by pitchers. The Yankees haven’t had much luck developing hitters lately.
- 1. Jesus Montero, C - He’s not going to win any gold gloves, but there’s a pretty good chance he sticks behind the plate. If he does, he’s an all-star or better.
- 2. Austin Jackson, CF - A little bit of a disappointment this season, but at least he’s shown that 2007 wasn’t a fluke.
- 3. Andrew Brackman, RHSP – He’s moving slower than his major league contract necessitates.
- 4. Zach McAllister, RHSP – Had a major break out season. Just 21 walks in 151 innings.
- 5. Dellin Betances, RHSP – Started to finally show his potential for the first time since just after he was drafted in last year’s 2nd half.
- 6. Mark Melancon, RHRP - One of the top relief prospects in the minors. Pitched a ridiculous 95 innings this year.
- 7. David Robertson, RHRP – Got beat up in the majors, but still struck lots of batters out, and did excellent at Triple-A.
- 8. Jairo Heredia, RHSP - Shows all the signs of becoming a great prospect instead of just a great-for-his-age prospect.
- 9. Jeremy Bleich, LHSP – Was fantastic in winter ball. Lefties with control are high-percentage prospects.
- 10. Austin Romine, C – Solid all-around hitting skills and potentially gold-glove defensive ability.
- 11. Brett Marshall, RHSP - You can’t teach 96, but he’s still very raw.
- 12. Wilkins De La Rosa, LHP - The Yankees probably made him a starter just to expedite his development. Still, he’s a Mike Gonzalez type.
- 13. Francisco Cervelli, C - Only needs to hit for below-average power to be an asset.
- 14. Bradley Suttle, 3b/1b - Nagging injuries hurt his numbers, but he showed enough to give us confidence.
- 15. Brandon Laird, 3b – Lots of power, but will the strikeouts hurt him?
- 16. J.B. Cox, RHRP – Lack of strikeouts became a problem after the elbow surgery.
- 17. Brett Gardner, CF - I still think he can be an average starting CF.
- 18. Juan Miranda, 1b - Now useless with Teixeira.
- 19. Humberto Sanchez, RHRP - Disappointing AzFL, despite the good scouting reports.
- 20. Alan Horne, RHSP – Injury status is starting to be too much.
- 21. George Kontos, RHSP - He’s still striking a lot of people out.
- 22. Phil Coke, LHP - More than just a token lefty.
- 23. Alfredo Aceves, RHSP – Solid 5th starter.
- 24. Ryan Pope, RHSP – Very hittable at times, but showed flashes of plus-plus control.
- 25. Kyle Higashioka, C - Catcher #4
- 26. Chase Wright, LHSP – Solid lefty reliever, might be able to be a 7th starter.
- 27. Carmen Angelini, SS- Jackson was terrible in his Single-A debut too.
- 28. Corban Joseph, INF - Solid debut, solid tools.
- 29. Christian Garcia, RHSP – My hope is dwindling.
- 30. Abraham Almonte, CF – Was overwhelmed at Single-A this year.
Kontos far better than you think.
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Moshe Mandel Reply:
February 22nd, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Yeah, I would have Kontos at about 15.
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EJ, now that Chase Wright is gone, who replaces him?
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Moshe Mandel Reply:
February 22nd, 2009 at 1:10 pm
I’m going to guess Arodys Vizcaino, but I very well could be wrong. I know EJ said in the original thread for this list (search for it if you want to see it) that Vizcaino just missed.
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I had Vizcaino at #31.
I don’t hate Kontos. I think that he’ll end up in that Miranda/Aceves/Gardner/Cox/Cervelli territory of useful major league players with a tragic flaw that prevents them from being valuable as every-day regulars.
Konto’s flaw is control.
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And just to provide a bit of support, EJ’s been a fan of Kontos for probably close to 3 years now. After seeing Kontos pitch a bunch of times in the Eastern League I agree Kontos lacks the command to be special, but could have the power arsenal – FB + Slider – to become a very good middle reliever with the ceiling of a solid setup man.
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From haveing watched Cervelli play a few times (when healthy, before last year) I thought he could very well supplant Molina as the back-up to Posada. He can hit (not a lot of power) and his defence is very good. Granted, the up side of Montero and Romine even Higy is superior but, right now, he is the next in line. Am I wrong?
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Are you going to do a seperate profile for each player this year like you did on MVN last year or is that too much.
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AJ a disappointment??? isnt he hitting the crap out of the ball? the power will come with time. but dudes flat out raking.
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Moshe Mandel Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
This is the preseason list, MJ.
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I don’t care if anyone laughs or doesn’t see it but I have been seeing a lot of Curtis Granderson in Austin Jackson, and I think just like with Granderson it will take a little while for Jacksons full power potential to be realized.
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How good is Austin Jackson. Who will he replace in the current Yankee outfield.
Thanks
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Eric Schultz Reply:
July 31st, 2009 at 9:17 am
He’s probably not a future star, but he should be an above-average centerfielder. He will likely replace either Gardner or Melky (my guess is Melky).
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Trade Miranda along with Joba and McCallister for Halladay. .
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This is by far the worst list I’ve seen since I saw a list with Cervelli in the top 5. I’m sorry but you need to research more before writing making a list like this.
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