EJ’s Top 30 Yankees Prospects
Updated Fall 2010.
Its been a really good season for the Yankees down in the minors. Below is my top-30 Yankee prospects. Though I should say this: there are a lot more guys in the system. I strongly considered expanding the list to 40 or 50 players, which the Yankees could easily justify. I decided to hold back for a number of reasons. As always, I tend to value certainty over uncertainty and performance over raw talent. The level listed after their names is where I project them for next season. The list:
1. C Jesus Montero, AAA/MLB – Really, he should be on the Yankees next year. His second half was as good as it gets. We’ll see.
2. LHP Manuel Banuelos, AA – He went from a polished young lefty to a flame-throwing potential ace.
3. C Austin Romine, AAA – More worried about the lack of defensive growth than his poor hitting season.
4. RHP Hector Noesi AAA – Better than people think. Also pretty close to a sure thing.
5. C Gary Sanchez A- – The next Montero, but with less body-type defensive questions.
6. RHP Graham Stoneburner AA – Blasted on to the scene this year, couldn’t have asked for better.
7. RHP Andrew Brackman AAA/AA – Went from having terrible control to having really good control in 2010. On track for a 2011 MLB appearance.
8. RHP Ivan Nova AAA/MLB – Could start on a lot of teams, maybe the Yankees. At the very least, he should be a good reliever.
9. RHP Dellin Betances AA – Still skeptical, but you can’t argue with his potential ceiling. Frank Piliere’s comments were pretty glowing.
10. OF Slade Heathcott A+ – Held his own. He’s a project, so we shouldn’t expect immediate gains. Next step: power.
11. RHP Adam Warren AA – His reported velocity has been a bit inflated, but his AA numbers were pretty awesome too.
12. 2b David Adams AAA – He’d be higher if not for the injury. Excellent trade bait, since we have Cano.
13. RHP Jose Ramirez A+ – Got leapfrogged by other players in 2010, but he’s still a great prospect.
14. SS Cito Culver A- – Great reviews on defense, held his own on hitting. Now the real work starts.
15. 3b Robert Segedin A+ – Fell to us due to injury concerns. Fell to #15 due to injury concerns. If he’s healthy, he’s top-5.
16. CF Mason Williams A- – Don’t know a lot about him, but he sounds like Brett Gardner with more tools. The bonus justifies this spot.
17. 3b/1b Brandon Laird AAA – Not too confident that he can be a starter in the AL East, but he should be a useful little piece as soon as mid-2011.
18. RHP Bryan Mitchell A- – Lots and lots of raw stuff. The Yankees love him.
19. RHP David Phelps AAA/MLB – Starter for the Pirates?
20. OF Angelo Gumbs A- – Highly rated, but raw. We’ll see.
21. OF Melky Mesa AA – Still skeptical, but if the breakout is real, then he could be a top-flight prospect. Rule V protection?
22. C JR Murphy A+ – Disappointing season.
23. RHP Brett Marshall A+ – Came back looking great. If he stays healthy, he’s a top starter prospect.
24. RHP D.J. Mitchell AAA – Just can’t get lefties out. Reliever?
25. 2b Corban Joseph AA – Underrated, but didn’t do so well in an extended AA audition.
26. RHP Lance Pendleton AAA/MLB – Was my pick for dark horse of the year. 154 2/3 innings, 2.33 K/BB, 3.61 ERA. Rule V protection?
27. LHP Evan Rutckyj A- – Super interesting super project. But he’s both really talented and a lefty.
28. RHP Gabe Encinas A- – Super interesting more polished project. Not left handed.
29. OF Colin Curtis AAA/MLB – MLB 4th/5th outfielder. Just like everyone said when he was drafted. Decent AAA season, deserves a look in spring training.
30. LHP Jeremy Bleich AA – We’ll talk after he recovers from surgery.
Honorable Mentions: George Kontos, Fu-Lin Kuo, Zoilo Almonte, Caleb Cotham, Eduardo Nunez, Eduardo Sosa, Jairo Heredia, Matt Richardson, Manny Barreda, Evan DeLuca, Ryan Pope, Pat Venditte, Anderson Feliz, Brad Suttle
There’s a lot to say about this group of players, and you can rest assured that I will say a lot of things. My current plan (if life allows) is to do a full array of prospect profiles, though I may leave a few of the less interesting players out. Who am I most intrigued by, relative to the buzz out there? Evan Rutckyj, Brett Marshall, Graham Stoneburner, and Rob Segedin really get my brain going.
What do you all think?
Kontos far better than you think. JD(Quote)
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Moshe Mandel Reply:
February 22nd, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Yeah, I would have Kontos at about 15. Moshe Mandel(Quote)
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EJ, now that Chase Wright is gone, who replaces him? Steve(Quote)
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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. Moshe Mandel(Quote)
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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. EJ Fagan(Quote)
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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. Anthony G.(Quote)
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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? Old Ranger(Quote)
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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. NYC DON(Quote)
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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. mj(Quote)
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Moshe Mandel Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
This is the preseason list, MJ. Moshe Mandel(Quote)
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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. The other Chris H(Quote)
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How good is Austin Jackson. Who will he replace in the current Yankee outfield.
Thanks george rice(Quote)
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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). Eric Schultz(Quote)
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Trade Miranda along with Joba and McCallister for Halladay. . pinstripe27(Quote)
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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. THU(Quote)
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BRACKMAN GAVE UP 10 HITS AND 7 RUNS IN 4 INNINGS TONITE! leftylarry(Quote)
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Yo, Larry, I think your caps lock button is broken. Matt Imbrogno(Quote)
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What about Eduardo Nunez? We think he is pretty slick with the glove and hits well. Nice on the bases, as well. We’ve heard it said theat he is the Yankees’ apparent SS of the future. Surey he would be higher on your list and not an also-ran if this was true. ElGuapo(Quote)
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lance pendleton and kontos should been on forty man roster!!!!! john renz(Quote)
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