1) Gleyber Torres, SS, Grade A-: Age 19, acquired from Cubs in Aroldis
Chapman deal, hit .270/.354/.421 with 29 doubles, 11 homers, 21 steals, 58
walks, 110 strikeouts in 478 at-bats in High-A between the two organizations;
unanimously excellent in the Arizona Fall League against older competition;
above-average defensive shortstop with arm strength, range, instincts
according to many sources, although some fear he may lose range as he
matures; at second base he would be excellent if necessary; tapping into his
potential offensively, shows feel for the strike zone and power is
developing; could end up as .280+ hitter with high OBP and at least moderate
power. ETA 2018.
2) Clint Frazier, OF, Grade B+: Age 22, acquired from Indians in Andrew
Miller trade, hit .263/.335/.447 between Double-A and Triple-A with 16
homers, 13 steals, 48 walks, 122 strikeouts in 463 at-bats; had some contact
problems at the higher level; renowned since high school for incredible bat
speed and fast-twitch muscular build; a beast when his hitting mechanics are
working well but batting eye is erratic and he can be streaky; runs and
throws well enough to be an average center fielder but would be above-average
if used at a corner; upside is .280, 20+ homer hitter but for that to happen
he’ll need to make more progress against breaking stuff: ETA late 2017.
3) Blake Rutherford, OF, Grade B+: Age 19, first round pick in 2016; hit
.351/.415/.570 in 114 at-bats in rookie ball, 13 walks, 30 strikeouts; was
rumored as high as first-overall but dropped to 18th due to bonus demands and
being a bit older than typical high schooler, plus there was some prospect
fatigue since he had been on the radar for so long; pure hitter with a good
eye, above-average power, polished for his age; arm grades vary between 45
and 55 depending on source, should be solid defensively due to instincts but
hitting is the main draw; ETA: 2020.
4) Jorge Mateo, INF, Grade B+: Age 21, signed out of Dominican Republic in
2012; hit .254/.306/.379 with eight homers, 36 steals, 33 walks, 108
strikeouts in 464 at-bats in High-A; outstanding 80-grade speed is best tool;
can also flash power but strike zone judgment is erratic, as is his defense;
made summer headlines for wrong reasons due to two-week suspension for
insubordinate behavior towards team officials; young enough to overcome
makeup concerns; not a bad infielder but may wind up in outfield or in
super-utility role; ETA. 2019.
5) Justus Sheffield, LHP, Grade B+: Age 20, acquired from Indians in Andrew
Miller trade; posted 3.09 ERA with 129/53 K/BB in 125 innings between High-A
and Double-A, just 107 hits; despite 5-10 height he throws hard, 93-96 MPH
with higher peaks; both breaking ball and change-up have above-average
potential; breaking ball varies in velocity and has been described as both a
slider and a curve; command needs further tightening but overall he’s met
expectations and could develop into a number three starter. ETA 2019.
6) James Kaprielian, RHP, Grade B+: Age 22, first round pick in 2015 from
UCLA; limited to 18 innings in High-A by strained flexor; recovered to pitch
well in Arizona Fall League; in college had reputation as a polished arm; he
still shows the polish with his curve, slider, and change-up but his velocity
has spiked, up to 94-96, giving him a complete arsenal; will have to prove
his durability but he has the stuff and command to be a number two or three
starter if his arm holds up. ETA 2018.
7) Chance Adams, RHP, Grade B+: Age 22, fifth round pick out of Dallas
Baptist in 2015; posted 2.33 ERA with 144/39 K/BB in 127 innings in High-A
and Double-A, allowing a mere 76 hits while posting a 13-1 record; bullpen
guy in college but had no problem with starter workload in ’16; nasty
fastball in mid/upper-90s, also a plus slider, has made progress with softer
curveball and change-up; command has been solid thus far; some question his
6-0, 215 pound build as a starting pitcher but I think too much is made of
that as long as his command holds up; could always move back to pen if needed
and would be a force; ETA: 2018.
8) Domingo Acevedo, RHP, Grade B+/B: Age 22; posted 2.61 ERA with 102/22 K/BB
in 93 innings between Low-A and High-A; huge body at 6-7, 245; has the
fastball to go with it, 95-100 MPH with peaks at 102 in the past; has a very
good change-up but slider is inconsistent, though he usually throws strikes
and is often overpowering; despite premium arm strength and good performance
numbers, not everyone is all-in on him as a top prospect, due to questions
about his role and durability problems including shoulder issues in ’16; ETA
late 2018 if healthy.
9) Albert Abreu, RHP, Grade B: Age 21, acquired from Astros in Brian McCann
deal; posted 3.72 ERA with 115/58 K/BB in 102 innings between Low-A and
High-A; signed out of Dominican Republic in 2013; fastball up there with
Acevedo at 94-98 MPH; plus slider, solid-average curveball and change-up as
well; command needs more work but Yankees have the luxury of not rushing him;
ETA late 2019.
10) Aaron Judge, OF, Grade B/B-: Age 24, first-round pick in 2013 out of
Fresno State University; hit .270/.366/.489 with 19 homers, 47 walks, 98
strikeouts in 352 at-bats in Triple-A, then .179/.263/.345 with four homers
and 42 strikeouts in 84 at-bats in the majors until going down with oblique
injury; massive power (at least a 60, some say 70) in 6-7, 275 pound frame,
but strikeout problems are equally massive; had made progress with his swing
in Triple-A but major league hitters exposed more holes; may struggle to hit
.230 but will crush mistakes; ETA 2017.
11) Miguel Andujar, 3B, Grade B-: Age 21, signed out of Dominican Republic in
2011; hit .273/.332/.410 with 12 homers, 39 walks, 72 strikeouts in 512
at-bats between High-A and Double-A; polarizing prospect; tools are obvious
including 70-grade arm and 60-grade raw power but hitting approach is
inconsistent, as is his fielding; on the right day he plays like a star but
has trouble maintaining consistency with his approach; has been on prospect
lists for several years but is still young; upside .280 hitter with power;
downside doesn’t get out of Triple-A; ETA 2019.
12) Dillon Tate, RHP, Grade B-: Age 22, first round pick out of UC Santa
Barbara by the Rangers in 2015; came to New York in Carlos Beltran trade;
posted 4.70 ERA in 82 innings in Low-A with 70/33 K/BB, 99 hits;
disappointing season although he looked better in bullpen after the trade;
fastball into mid-90s with plus slider (that wasn’t as good in pro ball as
it was in college) but change-up remains problematic; did not dominate to the
extent expected but still has a shot at being a fine pitcher, most likely in
bullpen in my opinion. ETA 2019.
13) Dustin Fowler, OF, Grade B-: Age 21, 18th round pick in 2013, hit
.281/.311/.458 with 30 doubles, 15 triples, 12 homers, 25 steals, 22 walks,
86 strikeouts in 541 at-bats in Double-A; rather under-the-radar nationally
in a deep system but has intriguing tools including 60-grade speed and 50/55
power, 55 throwing arm; can handle center field; main concern is an
aggressive hitting approach that may hamper his OBP, but he’s still young
enough to improve that. ETA 2018.
14) Ian Clarkin, LHP, Grade B-/C+: Age 21, posted 3.31 ERA in 98 innings in
High-A with 72/30 K/BB; missed last six weeks of the season with torn knee
meniscus; missed all of 2015 with elbow problems; when healthy shows low-90s
fastball, above-average change-up and two different breaking pitches; can
dominate when his command is on but injury time has slowed his development to
some extent; could get buried in this system if health problems continue. ETA
2019.
15) Jordan Montgomery, LHP, Grade B-/C+: Age 23, fourth round pick in 2014
from University of South Carolina; posted 2.13 ERA in 139 innings between
Double-A and Triple-A with 134/45 K/BB; big 6-6, 225 pound southpaw; finesse
pitcher in college but fastball has bumped up as a pro, now at 90-93; also
has change-up, curveball, cutter, plus a deceptive arm angle helps his
pitches play up; sharp control, potential fourth starter and ready for a
trial soon. ETA 2017.
ANALYST NOTE: Spots 16-20 are interchangeable with the "other Grade C+" guys.
I wrote up the players closest to the majors. Feel free to ask about the
other guys in the comments section.
16) Tyler Wade, INF, Grade C+: Age 22, fourth round pick in 2013, hit
.259/.352/.349 with 66 walks, 27 steals in 505 at-bats in Double-A;
left-handed hitter with 60/65 speed and a good batting eye; not much distance
power but may develop a bit more pop eventually; on-base skills and speed his
best attributes at present; reliable at shortstop but range is mediocre, more
likely to fit best at second base or in super-utility role. ETA 2018.
17) Mason Williams, OF, Grade C+: Age 25, hit .298/.315/.380 between
low-level rehab work and Triple-A (171 at-bats), then hit .296/.321/.333 in
27 major league at-bats; long history of injuries and inconsistency but has
been effective when healthy the last two seasons; above-average defensive
player who could slot nicely as a fourth outfielder with occasional offensive
contributions when he’s keeping the zone under control. ETA 2017.
18) Tyler Austin, OF-1B, Grade C+: Age 25, older prospect, was a hot property
four years ago but stock dropped due to injuries and adaption problems
against advanced pitching; made some changes in ’16 and hit .323/.415/.637
in Triple-A then .241/.300/.458 in 83 at-bat major league trial; will have to
continue proving himself but can still be a useful Scott Van Slyke-like role
player due to his pop. ETA 2017.
19) Giovanny Gallegos, RHP, Grade C+: Age 25, from Mexico; Yankees have many
bullpen options ready for the majors and Gallegos has received less attention
than most, however that should change this spring; added to 40-man roster
after posting 1.27 ERA in 78 innings in Double-A/Triple-A with 106/17 K/BB,
just 48 hits allowed; Tommy John survivor, fastball has crept up to 94,
already has good mixture of off-speed pitches, throws strikes; while some of
the "other Grade C+ guys" listed below have higher ultimate ceilings,
Gallegos is ready now and I wanted to highlight him. ETA 2017.
20) Dietrich Enns, LHP, Grade C+: Age 25, 19th round pick in 2012 from
Central Michigan; added to 40-man roster after going 14-4, 1.73 in 135
innings between Double-A and Triple-A with 124/56 K/BB, 102 hits; like
Gallegos, there are guys with higher ceilings below but Enns will be ready
for a trial this year and would get more attention in other farm systems;
fastball in 88-90 range might play up in bullpen, has a very good change and
workable curve and slider, throws strikes. ETA 2017.
OTHER GRADE C+ (could fit in spots 16-20): Johnny Barbato, RHP; Oswaldo
Cabrera, 2B; Nestor Cortes, LHP; Juan De Paula, RHP; J.P. Feyereisen, RHP;
Drew Finley, RHP; Chad Green, RHP; Jonathan Holder, RHP; Kyle Holder, INF;
Zack Littell, RHP; Billy McKinney, OF; Hoy Jun Park, INF; Freicer Perez, RHP;
Tito Polo, OF, Yefrey Ramirez, RHP; Josh Rogers, LHP; Donny Sands, C; Nick
Solak, INF; Luis Torrens, C
GRADE C (some of these guys have high ceilings): Diego Castillo, SS; Jake
Cave, OF; Estevan Florial, OF; Dermis Garcia, OF; Wilkerman Garcia, SS;
Domingo German, RHP; Isiah Gilliam, OF; Nick Goody, RHP; Nick Green, RHP;
Jorge Guzman, RHP; Ben Heller, RHP; Ronald Herrera, RHP; Kyle Higasshioka, C;
Nolan Martinez, RHP; Jio Orozco, RHP; Erik Swanson, RHP; Stephen Tarpley,
LHP; Taylor Widener, RHP
http://tinyurl.com/h6tvfra