New York Yankees 2021 Top 50 Prospects

Graphic design by John Stewart, @jonance on Twitter

The Yankees have produced some homegrown hitting talent to help fuel its recent success but have not had much success on the pitching side. Well that’s all about to change in the near future. With the likes of Clarke Schmidt, Deivi Garcia, Luis Gil, and others the Yankees are rich in high-end right-handed pitching prospects and an infusion of young arms is coming to the Bronx very soon. On the hitting side the 2021 season could be huge for some of the team’s young Latin American players such as Kevin Alcantara, Alexander Vargas, Everson Pereira and Antonio Cabello getting some much needed at bats for their development. Losing Garrett Whitlock, Kyle Holder, Trevor Stephan and Ben Ruta in the Rule 5 Draft depleted the Yankees of some depth within the system.

The Yankees were able to sign their top international target during the J2 signing period shortstop Hans Montero. They also signed SS/OF Fidel Montero, OF Ramiro Altagracia, SS Kleiner Delgado and 3B Johan Ferreira during the international signing period. Montero projects to have above average tools across the board and should stay at short.

Prospects1500 Tiers:
Tier 1: Players with high expectations of both making the majors and playing at an All-Star level for a number of years
Tier 2: Players with an above average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor
Tier 3: Players with an average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor
Tier 4: Players who have the potential of making the majors, or have a high likelihood of making the majors, but providing minimal impact (e.g. middle reliever, low-ceiling UT guys)
Tier 5: Players who are worth keeping an eye on, but likely to never make a team’s 40-man roster

Tier 1

1. Jasson Dominguez, OF
Age: 17
Highest Level: N/A
Everyone has seen and heard the hype; Dominguez is going to be a STUD! Dominguez is strong and athletic with a smooth, short compact swing and excellent bat speed from both sides of the plate helping the ball jump off of his bat with extra pop. He has shown good bat control and can square up the ball while driving the ball into the gaps and hitting for power to all fields. Dominguez also has a good understanding of the strike zone. Dominguez is a good baserunner with good speed he has a true chance at being a 30/30 player annually. Scouts compare him to a young Mike Trout. I will be trying to grab Dominguez in every dynasty league I am in.

Tier 2

2. Clarke Schmidt, RHP
Age: 24
Highest Level: MLB
Schmidt has a fantastic four-pitch mix: a fastball that sits between 92-94 mph and tops out at 96, a low-80s curveball, mid-80s slider and a changeup. Schmidt has the best curveball in the Yankees system. Schmidt only has 131 pro career innings between the regular season and postseason so do not expect him to be ready to throw 200 MLB innings right away. I think if the Yankees sign a starter in free agency Schmidt starts the 2021 season in Triple A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre but will get a long look in spring training.


3. Deivi Garcia, RHP
Age: 21
Highest Level: MLB
Garcia has underwhelming size at 5’9” 163 pounds, but the movement and command of his fastball make it a plus pitch as it regularly hits 93-96. He backs it up with a high spin curveball with depth, which maybe his best pitch, and an above-average changeup that is still developing but should be able to be a strong third pitch. He has made a lot of progress in both controlling his pitches and commanding the ball. With very clean mechanics and a low-effort delivery, there is a lot to like about him as he has no trouble repeating his delivery. He could end up a reliever down the line if it is determined he is too small to hold up to the rigors of being a starter in the big leagues. I think he starts the 2021 season with the Yankees but could be sent down to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre if the struggles in Spring Training or the Yankees sign a few starters.

4. Luis Gil, RHP
Age: 22
Highest Level: A+ Tampa
Gil is the most electric pitcher in the system. Gil’s big arm helps him regularly hit 95-98 mph and reach 101 mph with his four-seam fastball. He keeps his velocity deep into his starts and can blow his heater by hitters up in the strike zone. He also misses bats with an excellent power curveball that has exceptional spin rates and a good slider that he has developed the last two seasons. He has trouble keeping his delivery in sync and repeating his release point at times, which makes it difficult for him to harness his overpowering stuff. I think the Yankees give him more time to develop as a starter but he may wind up as a dynamic late-inning reliever or closer because his repertoire may work better as a reliever. Gil should start the 2021 season with Double A Somerset and has a good chance to finish it in the Bronx.


5. Austin Wells, C
Age: 21
Highest Level: Arizona (College)
Wells’ powerful left-handed swing and good athleticism is most likely what influenced the Yankees to take him with the 28th overall pick of the 2020 MLB draft. His approach is pull-oriented but he is capable of using the whole field. Wells combines power, hitting ability, and plate discipline all at a very high level. He played catcher in college and has expressed a desire to stay there, but a move to first or corner outfield doesn’t seem out of the question. Wells did have a high school elbow injury that didn’t allow him to play catcher his entire senior season. He had a PRP injection and checked out ok after his senior season in high school and hasn’t had any issues with his elbow since.

6. Estevan Florial, OF
Age: 23
Highest Level: MLB
Florial shows plus bat speed and will develop plus power in the future. His swing possesses a high leg kick that will assist with his power. Even though he has been pull dominant thus far in his career, his strength actually comes into play when he goes to left-center field. With the bat speed and loft in his left-handed swing, he can take advantage of Yankee Stadium’s short right field. Florial is also a plus runner and he has the potential to be a 30/30 player, but he can be overly aggressive as a hitter at times which leads to concerns about whether he can make enough contact to realize his full potential. He must try and stay healthy after having fluky injuries the last few years. I think Florial starts the season in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and could be one of the first players called up if a need arises. I’m still very high on Florial even though it seems like he has fallen off the radar.


7. Kevin Alcantara, OF
Age: 18
Highest Level: DSL Yankees
Alcantara just oozes tools and exciting upside. At 6’6”, 190 lbs, Alcantara is a physical specimen and has potential for plus tools across the board with a ton of bat speed, strength and speed. His size gives him great leverage and naturally adds length to his stroke, which despite long arms he has displayed the ability to make consistent contact from the right side. He is years away from Yankee Stadium but has one of the highest ceilings in the organizations. With a strong 2021 and huge potential, Alcantara could shoot up my rankings!

8. Luis Medina, RHP
Age: 21
Highest Level: A+ Tampa
Medina’s fastball sits in the mid-to high 90s and tops out at 102. His two secondary pitches, a hammer curveball and a devastating change up, are both above-average offerings right now but have the potential to become plus pitches in the future with increased command. He is still young and extremely raw. He does lack the ability to locate his pitches at times, as he threw 27 wild pitches in 2019. If he can get his location under control at a reasonable rate he has the potential to be an ace. Medina has been fantastic this off-season in the Puerto Rican Winter League, really showing off his high 90s fastball and curveball. In my opinion, he has the most upside of any Yankees pitching prospect and is a huge sleeper in fantasy.

9. Maikol Escotto, 2B/SS
Age: 18
Highest Level: DSL Yankees
The ball seems to just jump off Escotto’s bat. At one point in the 2019 season, he was averaging an exit velocity of 95 miles per hour, with 20% of his hits above that mark. Escotto was billed as having gap power when the Yankees signed him, but his eight home runs show that the young infielder is developing more pop in his bat. He also showed solid plate discipline. Escotto was expected to make his stateside debut in 2020 instead he will do so in 2021. I expect him to move quickly up prospect lists with his strong numbers, natural athleticism and his blend of speed and power.


10. Alexander Vargas, SS
Age: 19
Highest Level: DSL
Vargas has solid hitting actions and a good feel for the strike zone leading him to make consistent contact. Vargas’ slight frame at present limits how he can drive the ball, so making physical gains will be vital for his development. He is a plus runner with good speed. His ceiling is a .290 hitter with mid-teens homers and 30 plus steals and his floor is a solid utility infielder.

11. Antonio Cabello, OF
Age: 20
Highest Level: Rookie Pulaski
Cabello has showed plus potential as a hitter with great bat speed. In addition, he possesses plus running and throwing ability. Even though he struggled in the APPY League, league managers praised his approach to the game. He does sometimes tend to expand the strike zone and chase balls, but Cabello has the tool set to become an impact everyday player his power/speed combo is real and very enticing. There is a ways to go developmentally, but there’s lots of upside here for him to become a impact player on the big league stage.

Tier 3

12. Oswald Peraza, SS
Age: 20
Highest Level: A Charleston
I admittedly am not as high on Peraza as other places. The Yankees have challenged him aggressively while in the minors and it shows in his performance. Peraza has great bat-to-ball skill to go with good barrel awareness and laces the ball to all fields with some of the best exit velocities in the Yankees system. That said, his batted ball profile also does show a tendency for ground ball contact. Peraza does have some pull power and could produce double-digit home runs once he gets stronger. He is an aggressive baserunner with good speed and a knack for stealing bases (23/30 SB in 2019). I don’t think a move to third base is out of the question, since the Yankees are thin there within the system, and Peraza has the arm and range to play anywhere on the infield.

13. Anthony Volpe, SS
Age: 19
Highest Level: Rookie Pulaski
The 30th overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, Volpe missed time at the end of the 2019 season with Mononucleosis. Volpe uses his compact line-drive swing to spray line drives all over the field while making plenty of contact. Once he matures physically, he should hit double digit homers. He possesses the natural instincts and impressive bat speed along with a great baseball IQ to improve quickly with additional at-bats. He has above average grades on everything expect power.

14. Miguel Yajure, RHP
Age: 22
Highest Level: MLB
With advanced control, Yajure is one of the more polished young arms in the system. Yajure’s stuff has ticked up since Tommy John surgery in 2017 season, and he now operates at 92-95 mph with his fastball. His best pitch is a solid to plus changeup. He added a cutter in 2019 that has good potential, but it is a work in progress. He also has feel for spinning a curveball that should be at least an average offering. Yajure made his MLB debut in 2020 and showed off his good pitch mix, impressing Yankees brass along the way. While Yajure isn’t overpowering, he has a long history of throwing strikes and commands his pitches well. He pounds the bottom of the strike zone and generates a lot of soft ground ball contact. I’m very high on Yajure and he’s on the path to becoming a mid-rotation starter.


15. Alexander Vizcaino, RHP
Age: 23
Highest Level: A+ Tampa
Vizcaino typically operated at 94-98 mph and peaked at 100 for his fastball. His changeup can be equally devastating in the low 90s with splitter action and is hands down the best changeup in the Yankees system. His low-80s curveball is coming along and it has shown some signs of becoming a solid offering. Vizcaino’s ability to refine his command will determine whether he winds up as a starter or reliever. If he can take steps forward in harnessing his impressive arsenal, he could start to advance quickly through the high minors and carries a ceiling of a number 2 starter.

16. Yoendrys Gomez, RHP
Age: 21
Highest Level: A Charleston
Gomez throws a fastball between 92-97, with a high spin rate and downhill plane. He also throws a high spin curveball in the upper 70s and is working on a changeup that has shown at times it could develop into a plus pitch. He has a clean high three quarters delivery that he sometimes has a hard time repeating. He has the upside to be a number 2 starter if the Yankees will be patient with his development.

17. Canaan Smith, OF
Age: 21
Highest Level: A Charleston
Smith has the bat speed, strength and discipline to hit for power and average from the left side of the plate. Smith sometimes gets away from his consistent approach and struggles but he thrives once he regains his patience and drives the ball to all fields. He will take a walk but is always looking to do damage with the XBH and sometimes chases a bad pitch because of it. He’s also a solid runner and stole 16 of 20 bases in 2019. His profile is very exciting with a chance to be a full-time regular as a corner outfielder with 20 plus home run potential and a high on-base percentage. I personally am very excited to see what 2021 has in store for Canaan and expect him to shoot up my rankings.


18. Ezequiel Duran, 2B
Age: 21
Highest Level: A- Staten Island
Duran profiles as a bat-first second baseman. He opened eyes by slugging nearly .500 in the New York Penn League including leading the league with 13 bombs in 2019. Strong, athletic with great bat speed Duran has legitimate pop to all fields. Duran was also able to steal 11 bases in 14 attempts. Unfortunately, he struck out 28% of the time and that is the area of focus for the 21-year-old as he enters the 2021 season. He possesses 20/20 upside.

19. Roansy Contreras, RHP
Age: 21
Highest Level: A Charleston
Contreras heater sits in the mid-90s range averaging between 93-97. It generates high spin rate and has riding action up in the strike zone. His best secondary pitch is a mid-80s changeup with heavy sink and he also possesses a hard curve ball in the mid-70s with good spin. He repeats his delivery well and is always in the strike zone. Contreras has very sound mechanics, good strength and athleticism that should allow him to develop into a strong number 3 starter.

20. Albert Abreu, RHP
Age: 25
Highest Level: MLB
All of Abreu’s pitches grade out as plus or better when he commands them. His fastball hits mid-90s and tops out at 101 with some sink and run. His power breaking ball wipes out right handers to go along with curveball and changeup as well. His short-arm action provides deception but sometimes hampers him from locating his pitches. If he can’t find better command, he could end up in the bullpen in high leverage situations. In 2019 with Trenton, Abreu walked 53 well striking out 91 over 96.2 innings.


21. Everson Pereira, OF
Age: 19
Highest Level: A- Staten Island
Pereira can hit the fastball well, but is still adjusting to off-speed pitches which has led to a lot of his strikeouts. The ball jumps off his bat thanks to impressive bat speed, and he possesses a line-drive swing with gap-to-gap power. His bat path, bat control, balance, and pitch recognition skills all have earned high praise among scouts. He missed some time with an ankle injury in 2019. The Yankees assigning him to the college heavy NYPL in 2019 was a little bullish and shows their confidence in their tools.

22. Josh Smith, 2B
Age: 23
Highest Level: A- Staten Island
Smith makes consistent contact from the left side of the plate, using the entire field to spray line drive. Smith has solid raw power and drives the ball enough to hit 15 or more homers on an annual basis. He manages the strike zone very well, with solid to plus speed. A 15/15 player is very possible. He may not have a true plus tool, but he has no obvious holes in his game and should become at the very least a utility man.

23. Anthony Garcia, OF
Age: 20
Highest Level: Rookie Pulaski
A switch-hitter, Garcia is more effective left-handed, but his gargantuan raw power is obvious from either side of the plate. He may have the most power of any player on this list. He has an extremely aggressive approach and a naturally long swing, which resulted in a 41 percent strikeout rate during his pro debut. While it’s easy to dream on his bat speed and his raw power, he’s going to have to make much more contact to deliver on his power potential. Garcia missed most of 2019 with injuries. I expect a healthy 2021 season will see a bump in my rankings for Garcia.

24. T.J. Sikkema, LHP
Age: 22
Highest Level: A- Staten Island
Sikkema’s fastball runs between 89-91 mph with run and sink from a lower three-quarters slot. He also can raise his arm angle and reach back for 93-95 mph when needed. His 78-83 mph slider features high spin rates and can be a plus offering when it’s on. He also has nice feel for his sinking changeup and the trust to use it in any count. Sikkema’s stocky frame and crossfire delivery aren’t the prettiest, but his stuff plays up because of the angle and extension he creates. Sikkema projects as at least a lefty reliever in the majors with a good chance of becoming a back end of rotation starter. He has a very safe floor as a back-end starter or reliever.

25. Anthony Seigler, C
Age: 21
Highest Level: A Charleston
Seigler really needs at bats in 2021 after missing time with injury in 2018 and 2019. Seigler controls the strike zone with his contact-oriented approach and has ordinary bat speed. While he’s not loaded with raw power, he made a lot of weak ground ball contact during his short time in Class A in 2019. Some scouts have questioned if he is going to hit enough to complement his good defense behind the plate.


26. Antonio Gomez, C
Age: 19
Highest Level: DSL
Offensively Gomez has displayed a good approach with easy power to the gaps. He should hit for more power in the future. He profiles as an everyday catcher but he’s years away from the big leagues. His debut stateside will be one to monitor.

27. Raimfer Salinas, OF
Age: 20
Highest Level: Rookie (Gulf Coast League)
At the plate, Salinas has shown an advanced approach and good bat speed. He sprays the ball to all fields while also showing some home run power. Salinas is also a decent runner. He has real potential to be a legitimate five-tool player and an impact player in the near future. Given his upside, I’m confident Salinas will go up in my rankings in the near future.

28. Michael King, RHP
Age: 25
Highest Level: MLB
King’s arsenal is based around command and control rather than the ability to blow it by guys. King possesses a two-seam fastball that sits between 92-95 mph that he can run and sink to either corner of the plate. Both King’s slider and changeup can be solid pitches when they’re working with his slider being marginally better. He has some of the best control and command among Yankees pitching prospects. As more of a finesse right-hander, he might fit at the back of a rotation or out the bullpen again in 2021. He could be ticketed for Scranton/Wilkes Barres and work as a starter, and be one of the first pitchers called up if a need arrives.


29. Josh Breaux, C
Age: 23
Highest Level: A Charleston
Extremely aggressive at the plate, Breaux has well above-average bat speed, strength and raw power. His approach will result in excessive strikeouts. He has shown good pop which resulted in 23 XBH in 51 games in 2019. Some scouts question if he can play defense well enough to continue catching though the high minors and on to the majors, but his power bat could be valuable if he can make enough contact.

30. Trevor Hauver, 2B
Age: 22
Highest Level: Arizona State University (College)
The Yankees took Hauver with the 99th overall pick in the 2020 draft. He gets rave reviews for his work ethic. Hauver can hit for average and has shown power at times. Hauver brings good pop from the left side of the plate with a lot of loud contact. He is just a fringy runner but he shows great patience to draw a walk with a good eye. He has the chance to hit for both average and a little power at the next level with a solid overall approach.


31. Ryder Green, OF
Age: 20
Highest Level: Rookie Pulaski
Green has great bat speed and strength that create above-average raw power from the right side of the plate. He has a good understanding of the strike zone but can lapse into selling out for home runs at times. Green really worked on getting the ball in the air in his second pro season and was successful at it, following a debut season where his aggressive approach led to too many rolled over grounders to the left side of the infield. Ryder has good speed and can take the extra base or get a steal when needed. With continued success in lifting the ball, a bump up in my rankings for Green is very likely in 2021.

32. Osiel Rodriguez, RHP
Age: 19
Highest Level: DSL
2019 was an inconclusive introduction to professional ball for this well-regarded arm. He only hit mid to high 80s on his fastball while with DSL as he worked on different arm angles. He was slowed by a minor shoulder injury and some aches and pains in his debut season. Before signing out of Cuba, he produced an electric arm that produces 92-95 mph fastballs that top out at 97, with high spin rates that give them extra life up in the strike zone. His hard curveball is a bit more effective than his harder slider, with both displaying the potential to become plus pitches. His changeup has splitter action and similar upside but is a work in progress. He doesn’t have the cleanest arm action and there’s effort in his delivery. Rodriguez has a huge ceiling, as his chances to develop four plus offerings could make him a frontline starter. Once he can get his high 90s fastball under control and show it in the states, the results are sure to follow. Health looked to be a big part of his struggles in 2019, but I’m still very bullish on Rodriguez.


33. Josh Stowers, OF
Age: 23
Highest Level: A Charleston
Stowers carrying tool is his speed. In 105 game with the Charleston RiverDogs in 2019, Stowers stole 35 bases while being caught stealing 16 times. Stowers has a pretty right-handed swing that is direct to the ball and allows him to spray line drives from pole to pole. He doesn’t generate much loft presently, so he could only project to have average power down the road. His plate discipline is razor sharp. The long-term upside here is a good batting average with a high on-base percentage and lots of steals, but only 15-20 homers. I’m a little higher on him than others. For more on Stowers check out my Prospect Profile on him.

Tier 4

34. Nick Nelson, RHP
Age: 25
Highest Level: MLB
His fastball is 94-98 mph and he has good stamina to maintain the velocity throughout a game. His curveball is a work in progress because at times he can’t get a strike with it. His splitter and slider are also still developing, but he showed some promise in his big league stint in the short 2020 season.

35. Brandon Lockridge, OF
Age: 23
Highest Level: A Charleston
Lockridge has great speed and raw power that could translate into 20 homers per season. A 20/20 player is very possible here. He can get overly aggressive and pull-happy at times. With a step forward in the hit tool, a promotion up my rankings would be in the cards for Lockridge.

36. Matt Sauer, RHP
Age: 22
Highest Level: A Charleston
Sauer operates with a 92-95 mph fastball which touches 97. He also possesses a power curveball and slider. His curveball has the upside to be a plus pitch while his slider will require more work. Sauer has the size for durability and the athleticism to throw strikes and make adjustments. ETA: 2024


37. Frank German, RHP
Age: 23
Highest Level: A+ Tampa
German’s fastball sits between 94-98, and he controls it well to both sides of the plate. He also throws a mid-80s slider with tight break and a changeup, both of his secondary pitches grade as average. He changes batters eye level very well with his arsenal. He has a strong build and a delivery that he repeats, and he has the durability and pitch efficiency needed to be a back-of-the-rotation option.

38. Beck Way, RHP
Age: 21
Highest Level: Northwest Florida State JC (College)
Way is a potential steal in the fourth round (129th overall), coming out of junior college. Using his three quarters delivery, his fastball runs between 91-95 and has been clocked at 98. He has good command of it to both sides of the plate with a repeatable, loose delivery. Way has good feel for his solid changeup that runs in the low 80s, and is able to use it in any count. He also throws a mid 80s slider that could develop into an effective pitch but is currently a work in progress.

39. Nolan Martinez, RHP
Age: 22
Highest Level: A Charleston
Martinez possess a low to mid-90s heater that has good spin with deceptive riding life that keeps it off barrels. Martinez also has good feel for spinning a curveball, and has worked on a changeup. He repeats his clean delivery well and shouldn’t have any issues throwing strikes. He has the upside of a mid-rotation starter.

40. Agustin Ramirez, C
Age 19
Highest Level: DSL
Ramirez packs a lot of strength into his compact swing from what he has shown in BP. The balls he currently hits to the fence will go over once he puts some strength on his frame. Ramirez squares up fastballs consistently with the barrel, though he does have some trouble on breaking pitches. He also shows solid patience at the plate. Of the names in this range, he is one I am most excited about.


41. Brooks Kriske, RHP
Age: 26
Highest Level: MLB
Kriske’s fastball runs in the mid-90s he also owns a sweeping slider and splitter as well. Kriske has control and command issues at times. I expect him to start in Triple-A getting a long look in Spring Training before being called up if someone is ineffective or gets hurt.

42. Addison Russ, RHP
Age: 26
Highest Level: AA Reading
I was shocked after Russ wasn’t picked in the Rule 5 draft. Russ was acquired from the Phillies for journeyman middle-reliever David Hale in 2020. He put up solid numbers during his time with the Phillies organization, averaging almost 12 K/9 with a 1.087 WHIP during his 3 seasons in the minors. In 2019 he registered a 2.54 ERA, striking out 81 while saving 22 games in 56.2 innings. He features a fastball that touches 96 and a good splitter but lacks command at times.

Tier 5

43. Dermis Garcia, 1B
Age: 22
Highest Level: A+ Tampa
Garcia’s power is his carrying tool hitting 17 homers in 2019 with Tampa but also striking out in 105 times of his 297 plate appearances making him, in my opinion, the biggest boom-or-bust prospect in the system. Garcia’s outstanding bat speed and strength give him top-of-the-scale raw power. He still has trouble with recognizing pitches and handling off-speed offerings, and he has yet to prove he can make consistent contact. Garcia has displayed a willingness to accept walks, though he still chases pitches out of the strike zone with alarming frequency.


44. Jacob Sanford, OF
Age: 23
Highest Level: A- Staten Island
Sanford generates impressive bat speed and packs plenty of strength. There are some concerns about the deep load in his left-handed swing and a tendency to get off balance at times, but the quickness of his stroke and his hand-eye coordination make it work. In addition to his prodigious power, Sanford also offers plus speed.

45. Glenn Otto, RHP
Age: 24
Highest Level: A+ Tampa
Otto sits between 92-95 mph with his fastball and peaks at 97. His spike curveball can be devastating and also hard to control, since it combines power and 12-to-6 break. Improving his control and command are on his to-do list. He has a strong frame, and his arm works well, so he should have the durability required to start.

46. Chris Gittens, 1B
Age: 26
Highest Level: AA Trenton
In 2019 Gittens went on to be named the Trenton Thunder Player of the Year AND the 2019 Eastern League Most Valuable Player. If you want to know more about Gittens, give my Prospect Profile a read!


47. Jake Agnos, LHP
Age: 22
Highest Level: A- Staten Island
Agnos produces an 88-93 mph fastball and tops out at 95. His best pitch is his plus curveball in the upper 70s with 12-6 break when at its best. He also can display a decent changeup, but struggles with his feel for the pitch. Agnos’ size, mechanics and inconsistent command could point him to the bullpen as he advances in pro ball.

48. Isiah Gilliam, OF
Age: 24
Highest Level: AA Trenton
A switch-hitter, Gilliam has some of the best raw power in Yankees system and does more damage from the right side. He’s strong and has plenty of bat speed, leverage and loft in his swing, but he will have to show he can make consistent contact in order to tap into his pop. Gilliam gets overly aggressive and it costs him.

49. Jio Orozco, RHP
Age: 23
Highest Level: A+ Tampa
Orozco has a fluid arm action with a very clean delivery. He brings a mid 90s fastball, and his long extension gives it some sink action. His curveball has above average potential from an over-the-top slot, which creates a 12-6 shape with depth. He has a good feel for the change up as a developing third offering, with a chance to have three above average pitches. He has potential to be a back-end rotation arm.

50. Harold Cortijo, RHP
Age: 22
Highest Level: A Charleston
Cortijo has a great command of a low 90s fastball and a mid-80s slider that flashes quality bite. Cortijo has 2 secondary pitches: a mid-80s changeup and a high 70s hook. He could definitely be a mid-round steal for the Yankees (selected in the 14th round of the 2017 draft 422nd overall). I believe he’s someone to watch.

BEST OF THE REST!

Here are a few more players I suspect could be on my top 50 list in the near future and just missed making this list

Tanner Myatt, RHP
Age: 22
Highest Level: A Charleston
Myatt has a big time arm at 6’7” 220 pounds who is tall and intimidating on the mound. His fastball sits at 95 touching 99 and his curveball is in the low 80s. He tends to get wild with his fastball at times, leading to a ton of walks. If he can harness his control, he could be a quality setup man.

Hoy Jun Park, SS/2B
Age: 24
Highest Level: AA Trenton
Park squares up a lot of balls with a sound left-handed swing and has a patient approach. Park also has above average speed he uses well on the bases and in the field.

Trey Amburgey, OF
Age: 26
Highest Level: AAA Scranton/Wilkes Barres
Amburgey has a big league body at 6-foot-2, 210 pounds and the athleticism to match. He has slowly but steadily worked his way up through the minor league ranks since being drafted in 2015. He makes consistent contact to all fields and the ball jumps off his right-handed bat, generating strong exit velocities. He has increased his power numbers every season. He is solid across the board, including defensively with a role of 4th outfielder very likely.

Trevor Lane, LHP
Age: 26
Highest Level: AAA Scranton/Wilkes Barres
Lane is a left-handed bullpen piece throws in the low to mid 90s. His curveball doesn’t have a lot of bite, but has been effective against left-handed hitters.

Wilkerman Garcia, 2B/3B/SS
Age: 22
Highest Level: A+ Tampa
Garcia demonstrates good mechanics in the batter’s box and has a repeatable swing. He is more of a line-drive gap to gap hitter that will likely not hit for much power.

Oswaldo Cabrera, 2B/3B/SS
Age: 21
Highest Level: A+ Tampa
Cabrera is a line-drive hitter that doesn’t strike out a lot. There is limited power but he is at least an average runner.

Isaiah Pasteur, OF
Age: 24
Highest Level: A Charleston
One word. SPEED! Some scouts rate him the fastest runner in the Yankees organization.

Roberto Chirinos, 2B/3B/SS
Age: 20
Highest Level: Rookie Pulaski
Chirinos has above average speed and is very athletic with great bat speed. He makes hard contact to all fields and has good bat speed. Roberto could be a name to make his way into the top 50 with a strong 2021.

Ronny Rojas, 3B
Age: 19
Highest Level: Rookie (Gulf Coast League)
Rojas offers quick hands and a good hitting approach from both sides of the plate. He has a chance to hit for a good average and makes hard contact that could turn into home runs in the future.

Mauro Bonifacio, OF
Age:19
Highest Level: DSL
Great power and speed combo from the right side of the plate. His swing tends to get long at times causing him to strike out. But when he makes contact the ball flies off his bat with power and authority.

Denny Larrondo, RHP
Age: 18
Highest Level: Rookie (Gulf Coast League)
Larrondo has projectable body and a quick arm (6’2” 180 lbs.). The right-hander has touched 94 mph with his fastball and usually sits in the 91-to-92 mph range. He has a tight spin on his emerging curveball, his second-best pitch. The teenager is an aggressive strike-thrower and a decent changeup that is expected to improve.

Steven Sensley, 1B/OF
Age: 25
Highest Level: A+ Tampa
Major raw power! Sensley can change the game in one swing. He could grow into a 20 homer bat with a decent average. He profiles as a 4th outfielder and is a player with decent pop off the bench.

Paul Woodin is a huge sports fan who leads the New York Yankees minor league farm system coverage for the Prospects1500 team. Growing up playing and watching baseball while collecting baseball cards, Paul developed a love for the game. Born and raised in Connecticut between Yankees and Red Sox territory, Paul become a Yankees fan because of Don Mattingly and Derek Jeter. An avid sports card, memorabilia and autograph collector, he participates in redraft, dynasty and prospect-only fantasy baseball formats during each season. Feel free to reach out on Twitter
@PaulWoodin1.




9 Comments

  1. I noticed that Osiel Rodriguez fell from 13 to 32 in your rankings over the past year. I have him in my dynasty league. Did something happen to him over the past year that would justify such a drop?

    • Hi Jarrett thank you for reading. Rodriguez had a tough 2019 his electric fastball just wasn’t there do to working on arm angles and a shoulder injury causing him to struggle at times. His drop in my rankings is a mix of things other players advancing in front of him and a little to do with his struggles. I fully expect him to bounce back and show what the Yankees saw in Cuba. I’m still very bullish on him and expect a top 15-20 rank once he shows he is healthy and that fastball again! Hold him tight in fantasy circles!

  2. Thanks for the quick reply. I’m trying to standardize what a tier 3 player is between the various P1500 authors. I notice for example that the Blue Jays and Mets have 12 players ranked in the top three tiers and you have 33 for the Yankees. Is there really that big a difference between organizations and how many tier 3’s they have? If you were to rank the prospects in other organizations, what is the minimum number of prospects you’d list in each tier?

  3. Jarrett,
    I feel as though it depends on what the team correspondent thinks of his team. I tend to believe the Yankees system has enough tier 3 players that have average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor. Another team’s writer may not think that about their respective team’s prospects.

    • tienes algun reporte sobre el lanzador novato wilser barrios por favor oublicalo

      do you have any reports on rookie pitcher wilser barrios?

      • Hey Pedro he looks pretty good in his 2 games with the FCL Yankees so far this year. He could be used some more by the Yankees within the system for sure. Hopefully he pushes for a promotion since he’s already 23. He is Rule 5 eligible as well. I wonder if someone tries to add him in the minor league phase this year.

    • Hi Brian,
      I don’t believe I underrated him at all being the number 2 prospect in the Yankees system. I just believe he needs more innings of experience to be ready to be a work horse. I do think he can be a solid number 2 if not more. I’d like to know why you think I underrated him at number 2?

  4. Hi Brian
    I would love Schmidt to be a big part of the Yankees very soon. Unfortunately injuries struck him again. I would like to know why you think I underrate him at the number 2 Yankees prospect in my Top 50? I feel all he needs is innings and to be healthy.

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