Yankees MILB: 2023 Pitching Review

A look at the Yankees’ pitching prospects in 2023, starting with the All-Star team.

The starters:

RHP Drew Thorpe, Hudson Valley/Somerset (14-2, 2.52 ERA (3.05 FIP); 139.1 IP, 34% K, 7.1% BB, 49.2% GB; Age: 23; Rule 5 Eligible: 2025)

In a surprising twist, Thorpe makes my list of top five pitchers in the organization. The second-round pick in 2022 dominated in his first professional season, though it didn’t start that way (in his first three starts, Thorpe allowed ten runs in 15.1 IP). His changeup passed a big test when he compiled a 1.48 ERA (2.15 FIP) over 30.1 innings for Somerset. For the most part, advanced hitters will eat mediocre changeups. That didn’t happen with Thorpe, who can be an MLB option as soon as 2024.

RHP Will Warren, Somerset/Scranton (10-4, 3.35 ERA (4.19 FIP); 129 IP, 27% K, 10.7% BB, 51.7% GB; Age: 24; Rule 5 Eligible: 2024)

The numbers may not jump at you, but Triple-A is a haven for offense. In his first 13 Triple-A starts, Warren posted a 5.24 ERA in 55 innings, allowing 11 homers while compiling a 22.6% K and 11.5% BB. In his final six starts, he posted a 1.61 ERA over 44.2 innings, allowing four homers while compiling a 29.8% K and 10.1% BB. When Warren has his command, expect a lot of ground balls mixed with enough strikeouts to make him enticing. If the final six starts are an indicator that something has clicked, he can be a mid-rotation level starter. If not, a swingman role could be his future – much like former Yankee Adam Warren.

RHP Richard Fitts, Somerset (11-5, 3.48 ERA (3.92 FIP); 152.2 IP, 25.9% K, 6.8% BB, 39.5% GB; Age: 23; Rule 5 Eligible: 2024)

Amongst all minor league pitchers, Fitts ranked third in innings (organization-mate Mitch Spence was the leader!). I look at Fitts as a modern-day bulldog type – a kid who isn’t afraid to pound the zone with his fastball/slider combination. This feature can, at times, turn into a bug as he is prone to long balls when he doesn’t locate his pitches well. Personally, I love pitchers who pound the zone, which elevates Fitts in my eyes. I say this while realizing that his GB% may not be ideal for a right-handed starter in Yankee Stadium.

RHP Chase Hampton, Hudson Valley/Somerset (4-3, 3.63 ERA (3.38 FIP); 106.2 IP, 33.1% K, 8.4% BB, 32.5% GB; Age: 22; Rule 5 Eligible: 2026)

When you combine age, level, and stuff, Hampton is the most tantalizing pitching prospect in the organization. He throws four pitches (fastball, slider, curve, change) and shows swing-and-miss with both the curve and slider. He wasn’t quite as dominant in Somerset as he was in Hudson Valley (not surprising for a 21-year-old in his debut season), as his K% dipped from 40.5% to 27.4%. Like with Fitts, one could be concerned by the ground ball rate, but if a pitcher keeps the K% elevated, that can offset that. Plus, a pitcher can “learn” to keep balls away from the porch.

LHP Brock Selvidge, Tampa/Hudson Valley (8-5, 3.45 ERA (2.98 FIP); 127.2 IP, 25.5% K, 6.5% BB, 50.1% GB; Age: 21; Rule 5 Eligible: 2026)

If it is a left-handed prospect you wish to drool over, Selvidge should be on your list. Amongst the Yankees’ prospects with 70+ innings, Selvidge had the lowest FIP (2.98), HR/9 (0.35), and BB% (6.5%). He dropped his walk rate from the 9.4% he compiled in the Complex League in 2022. What makes Selvidge fun is that he is not fully baked – his stuff is good as is, but it can get even better as he continues to gain experience and strength. He isn’t Rule 5 eligible for a long time and we should see him in Somerset sometime in 2024 (he tossed 50.1 innings in Hudson Valley, so I suspect he will start the season there before a relatively early promotion)

The relievers:

RHP Danny Watson, Hudson Valley/Somerset (1.58 ERA (3.66 FIP); 62.2 IP, 32.7% K, 10% BB, 37.6% GB; Age: 23; Rule 5 Eligible: 2024)

The Yankees have a wide selection of tall relief prospects, and Watson (6’7″) is no exception. His 1.58 ERA was the best amongst Yankees’ prospects with 50+ innings. After making High-A hitters look silly (39% K), Watson found Double-A to be a little more challenging in the strikeout/home run department. The thing with prospects is that it sometimes is better for them to struggle a bit at an advanced level rather than continue to dissect hitters in the lower levels. The Yankees’ bullpen is often strong, and it could feel daunting for a prospect to break through. He should be in the mix for MLB innings sometime in 2024.

RHP Jack Neely, Hudson Valley/Somerset (2.17 ERA (2.90 FIP); 66.1 IP, 38.6% K, 7.7% BB, 35.1% GB; Age: 23; Rule 5 Eligible: 2024)

Neely (6’8″) did a nice job maintaining his K% between Hudson Valley and Somerset while cutting his BB% by more than half (full disclosure: He only tossed 17.2 innings in Somerset). He reached 100 strikeouts out of the bullpen, which is always a fun number to report. Neely’s ascension pretty much matches Watson’s, and he should also be in the bullpen mix sometime in 2024. Healthy competition is good competition.

RHP Bailey Dees, Hudson Valley/Somerset (2.60 ERA (3.37 FIP); 62.1 IP, 30.3% K, 10.6% BB, 36.1% GB; Age: 24; Rule 5 Eligible: 2024)

Dees (6’8″) is in the same boat as Watson and Neely: Big right-handed relief pitchers who you are going to be hearing about in 2024. Any of the three have “Twitter favorite” potential when a big league reliever starts to struggle. Of the three, Dees experienced the biggest dip in strikeout rate between Hudson Valley and Somerset, while his BB% spiked. I don’t concern myself too much with small sample size noise, but it is something to monitor. Hopefully, all three of these kids are invited to spring training because it would be quite a sight to see three power forwards eating some early spring innings.

RHP Luis Velasquez, Tampa/Hudson Valley (1.74 ERA (3.44 FIP); 62 IP, 30.8% K, 13.2% BB, 63.6% GB; Age: 22; Rule 5 Eligible: Eligible)

“Are all the Yankees relief prospects Paul Bunyan types?”  The answer is no, as Velasquez packs a smaller size (5’10”) and a better ground ball profile (his 63.6% rate was 4th best in all the minors amongst pitchers with 60+ innings). Velasquez was crazy good down the stretch, posting a 0.89 ERA over his final 30.1 innings While his K rate remained steady during this stretch, he was able to reduce his walk rate (10.9%). Velasquez is Rule 5 eligible and you never know if a small market team would be willing to “bury” someone of his type at the end of their bullpen. I wouldn’t be scared off by that, however – he should be left unprotected and he should pitch for Somerset in 2024.

Honorable Mention:

Starters:

RHP Clayton Beeter (Rule 5 Eligible) – Beeter is essentially the 6th starter on my list above. I remain intrigued to see what he can do if the Yankees tell him to air it out for an inning or two, but there is zero harm in keeping him in the rotation for now. He will need to be protected, as there is zero doubt that a team will grab him and (at the very least) throw him into a relief role.

RHP Justin Lange (Rule 5 Eligible: 2024) – Lange’s potential remains huge, but he still has a lot to work on. His 33.2% strikeout rate jumps out at you, as he struck out exactly ten batters three times this season.  Lange was dominant in his first High-A start (5.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 K) but struggled in his final two. The potential outcomes are wide-ranging, as he remains a lottery ticket.

RHP Matt Sauer (Rule 5 Eligible) – Sauer had a late start to his 2023 season but was able to squeeze in 74 innings of 3.41 ERA ball. He struck out 30.3% of the hitters he faced. Sauer has an intriguing profile and is a former second-round pick, but how much room do the Yankees have to protect him? He can be prime trade bait before the Rule 5 protection list deadline.

RHP Yoendrys Gomez (On 40-man) – Gomez pitched well for Somerset in 19 starts (3.58 ERA in only 65.1 innings), before being called up to the big leagues to get his feet wet. Gomez has always intrigued, but injuries have held him back. The 67.1 innings between Somerset/MLB represents his career best, which shows you just how much time he has missed through the years. If he can stay healthy, the Yankees have an arm with not much mileage on it. His best role may be out of the bullpen.

RHP Brendan Beck (Rule 5 Eligible: 2024) – It is amazing that Beck’s clock is already closing in on zero as we enter 2024, making the season huge for him. Due to injuries, his debut was in 2023, where he pitched only 34 innings over ten starts. The Yankees correctly placed him in High-A (after one start in the FCL) and will probably fast-track him in 2024. Yes, there is a good chance that people on social media will drool over Beck next year.

RHP Zach Messinger (Rule 5 Eligible: 2024) – Messinger is only 2-18 in his professional career, but that is misleading to an extreme. He has seldom been asked to throw more than 4-5 innings, which limits his win potential. Messinger pitched in 21 games (only four starts) for Virginia in 2021, so the Yankees are asking him to stretch back out as a starter in the minors. With that comes a lot of growing pains, and we are seeing that. The reward can be that of a mid-rotation starter, or a multi-inning reliever if they decide to move him back later.

Relievers/Swing guys

LHP Edgar Barclay (Rule 5 Eligible) – Barclay is another victim of Triple-A insanity. He was nearly unhittable in Somerset before getting lit up in Scranton (it should be noted that all 11 of his Somerset appearances were out of the bullpen, while his 10 appearances for Scranton were all starts). Barclay has enough to be a fixture in an MLB bullpen, and I bet he is selected if left unprotected.

RHP Yorlin Calderon (Rule 5 Eligible) – For a while, it looked like Calderon was going to become a permanent bullpen fixture. The Yankees threw a bit of a curveball at us when his final five appearances (three for Tampa, two for Hudson Valley) were all starts. He is unlikely to be chosen in the Rule 5, and it will be interesting to see which role the Yankees throw him in for 2024 and beyond.

LHP Ryan Anderson (Rule 5 Eligible) – Anderson was sneaky good in 2023, compiling a 2.17 ERA (2.90 FIP) over 58 innings with a 27.9% K. His calling card is his ability to keep the ball on the ground (57.1%) and if he can keep that up, there should be a job for him in the big leagues somewhere at some point. Interestingly, his most dominant stretch was at an advanced level (1.01 ERA in 26.2 Double-A innings)

RHP Harrison Cohen (Rule 5 Eligible: 2025) – The Yankees moved Cohen through three levels in 2023, as they gave him 3.1 Double-A innings down the stretch. Cohen pitched to a 3.86 ERA during his time in Hudson Valley, striking out 29.1% of the hitters he faced. Cohen will be 25 in May, and the Yankees will likely continue to push him.

The Future:

RHP Luis Serna – Now 19, it is time for Serna to make his way to a full-season league. It is possible he would have done that in 2023, if not for an injury that limited him to eight starts (19.1 IP). Serna was 23rd on the Fangraphs’ preseason list, praised for his advanced feel for pitching for a teenager.

RHP Carlos Lagrange – Lagrange was able to toss 41.2 FCL innings in 2023, putting up impressive 32.5% K and 51.2% ground ball rates. Lagrange is an imposing 6’7″, and he has to work on his control (not uncommon for a young kid of his size. Heck, older kids of his size have issues with control)

LHP Henry Lalane – Lalane is a 6’7″ 19-year-old who showed good control in 2023, walking only four batters in 21.2 innings (34 strikeouts). If he can keep that up, there may not be a sky-high enough for him to reach. However, we shall not get carried away before any kid (especially pitchers) gets out of the Complex League.

RHP Jackson Fristoe – Fristoe throws hard, but doesn’t always know where it is going. I wasn’t sure where to put him on this list as he actually made a playoff start as high as Hudson Valley this year. He feels like a project – but one who has made it to the point of being a step away from the critical Double-A level.

RHP Sebastian Keane – The 2022 draftee was impressive in 18 FCL games (1.71 ERA with a 35/16 K/BB over 26.1 innings). A starter in college, he pitched exclusively out of the pen in the FCL. That said, his final two appearances (covering only 5.1 innings) were starts for Tampa.

RHP Eric Reyzelman – The hard-throwing 2022 draftee was only able to get into five games down in the Complex League this season. He is a fastball-heavy reliever, and the Yankees are likely working on developing a solid secondary pitch. He is 100% a relief pitcher.

The 2023 draft:

LHP Kyle Carr may be our next Brock SelvidgeCarr is likely at a more advanced spot right now than Selvidge was when he was drafted (makes sense), but Yankees fans seem to like their left-handed pitching prospects. Put Carr on your list.

RHP Nicholas Judice is, you guessed it, a huge kid (6’8″) with fast-track relief potential. The Yankees simply love these kids – they likely feel as if their size makes them undervalued to teams who may not think their control will translate to professional ball. The big kid fascination also shows up in 20th-round pick Bryce Warrecker (6’8″).

The Yankees have a track record with their mid-round pitching prospects. Any one of them (including several I have not listed) can show up next year with a 95 MPH fastball.

The bottom line:

The pitching pipeline continues to be loaded with talent. There are arms I didn’t include above that probably deserve to be included (sorry,  Sean HermannMatt Keating, Cam Schlittler, Osiel Rodriguez, Mason Vinyard, etc.). However, I didn’t plan on writing a 5,000-word essay.

When the Yankees make trades, it should surprise nobody that pitchers are often involved. Other franchises covet their arms. It proves itself over and over, even if not many of them have bitten the Yankees to date (pitching prospects are so hard to project that many people will tell you that they don’t even exist).

More good news? When you look at the list above, there is a lack of Rule 5 eligible kids. None of the starters or relievers on my “first team” are Rule 5 eligible. Other than Beeter, there is no guarantee that anyone else will be protected. They will give consideration to Sauer and Barclay.

While we wait to see if the position player pipeline can sustain itself, there is zero doubt that the pitching pipeline has. The arms just keep on coming.

Yankees MILB: The Offensive All-Stars

A look at the top positional players in the Yankees’ organization this season.

Overall, it was a good season for positional players. The FCL Yankees averaged 6.67 runs per game, second in the league to the Tigers. The average age of the Tigers position players was a full year older than that of the Yankees. The dominant Somerset Patriots scored an impressive 5.47 runs per game, tops in the Eastern League. Overall, Yankees affiliates averaged 5.58 runs per game with a .770 OPS.

I will write about the pitchers at a later date.

The All-Star Team (I only considered full-season prospects for All-Star selections. The FCL/DSL players have their own section):

C – Agustin Ramirez, Tampa/Hudson Valley/Somerset (.271/.364/.455 (492 PA); 12.4% BB, 17.3% K; 24 doubles, 18 HR, 69 RBI, 73 R; Rule 5 Eligible: Yes)

The 48th-ranked prospect in the 2018 International class (Baseball America) has not disappointed. Playing most of the season at the age of 21, he jumped three levels (though he eventually ran into a wall in Somerset). Before the season started, I would have placed the odds of him being protected in the upcoming Rule 5 at 5%. Now? I can’t imagine leaving him unprotected. He needs seasoning, but that won’t prevent a desperate club from taking him. Another 500 plate appearances in the minors won’t hurt him, so I am looking at him as a potential 2025 option.

1B – Ben Rice, Tampa/Hudson Valley/Somerset (.324/.434/.615 (332 PA); 13.3% BB, 18.7% K; 18 doubles, 20 HR, 66 RBI, 62 R; Rule 5 Eligible: 2024)

First things first: While I list all the affiliates above, his stint in Tampa was a  rehab stint. The most important numbers are those he put up in 48 games for Somerset, where he hit .327/.401/.648 with 16 home runs. Rice, who is listed as a catcher but is unlikely to stay there, is a bat-first prospect. If you want something to be nervous about, Rice played in only 141 games between 2022 and 2023. His bat is probably big league-ready right now, and his swing is perfectly suited for the porch – it will be a challenge to figure out exactly where to play him.

2B – Jared Serna, Tampa/Hudson Valley (.283/.350/.463 (563 PA); 8.7% BB, 16% K; 28 doubles, 3 triples, 19 HR, 79 RBI, 90 R, 29 SB; Rule 5 Eligible: Yes)

Reaching 20 doubles/20 homers/20 stolen bases looked like a certainty for Serna, but he didn’t homer in 27 games after his promotion to Hudson Valley. That said, he did hit .287/.350/.389 and struck out fewer times (12.5%) than he did for Tampa (16.9%). The 21-year-old is on the smaller side (5’6″), which leads to natural questions about his power in the future. He is Rule 5 eligible but I don’t think he will be protected or drafted. His ETA is probably sometime during the 2025 season. By the way, the Yankees increased his utility profile this season by having him play 52 games at shortstop (compared to 60 games at second base).

SS – Trey Sweeney, Somerset (.252/.367/.411 (472 PA); 13.8% BB, 19.1% K; 20 doubles, 13 HR, 49 RBI, 67 R, 20 SB; Rule 5 Eligible: 2024)

This came down to Oswald Peraza vs. Sweeney, but Peraza’s MLB experience in 2022 disqualified him in my brain. Sure, there are exciting guys deeper in the system, but it is Sweeney who is close to MLB. Sweeney possesses solid contact skills with extra-base hit power to tap into. While he may be a third baseman long-term (he is unlikely to be a shortstop with the Yankees), that doesn’t mean shortstop is out of his range. That fact increases his trade value though it is enticing to have a left-handed hitting third baseman drooling at the sight of the porch. He should be MLB-ready sometime in 2024.

3B – Jesus Rodriguez, Tampa/Hudson Valley (.310/.399/.450; 12% BB, 15.2% K; 20 doubles, 9 HR, 62 RBI, 66 R, 21 SB; Rule 5 Eligible: Yes)

Am I cheating by placing Rodriguez at 3B? I don’t think so, as he did play more games at third than any other position. Rodriguez also has experience at catcher, first base, and left field, which adds to his prospect intrigue. While the 21-year-old is not a regular on organizational prospect lists, the fact is that he refuses to stop hitting. During the 2022 season, he played in the Complex League, where he hit .348/.434/.576 in 32 games. I am a firm believer that performance counts for something, and Rodriguez has yet to give us an indication that his performance is a fluke. We will see him in Somerset at some point in 2024.

OF – Jasson Dominguez, Somerset/Scranton (.265/.377/.425 (544 PA); 15.3% BB, 24.4% K; 22 doubles, 15 HR, 76 RBI, 89 R, 40 SB; Rule 5 Eligible: On 40-man)

Baseball can be cruel. Between 2022 and 2023, Dominguez compiled 1,037 plate appearances over 229 minor league games (remember that minor league seasons are shorter). I probably commented more than once about his durability. Within a few weeks of being called up in 2023, the news came that he needed Tommy John Surgery, which will cost him a good chunk of the 2024 season. The good news is that Dominguez showed off his incredible potential during his short stay in MLB, giving one hope that he can man the Yankees’ outfield for a decade. Center field is not likely a perfect spot for him long-term (he is passable in the shorter term), but he would likely be an above-average LF, something that is needed in Yankee Stadium.

OF – Spencer Jones, Hudson Valley/Somerset (.267/.336/.444 (537 PA); 9.1% BB, 28.9% K; 29 doubles, 16 HR, 66 RBI, 71 R, 43 SB; Rule 5 Eligible: 2025)

Jones was the organizational leader in doubles and stolen bases. While the strikeout rate was high, he was able to reduce it somewhat as the season went along, with a slight dip between his time in Hudson Valley (29%) and Somerset (28.2%). There are still some “lottery ticket” facets to Jones’ game, but the potential for him to develop into an MLB All-Star level player is real. I wouldn’t be shocked if he made his MLB debut in 2024, but remember that Dominguez’s ascension was partially due to where the Yankees were in the standings.

OF – Everson Pereira, Somerset/Scranton (.300/.373/.548 (343 PA); 9.3% BB, 28.6% K; 17 doubles, 18 HR, 64 RBI, 53 R, 11 SB; Rule 5 Eligible: On 40-man)

Pereira’s 139 wRC+ was second in the system to Rice’s 183 amongst players with 300+ plate appearances. While he struggled in the big leagues, that was hardly surprising. He has an aggressive style at the plate, so I figured it would take him some time to figure things out. While that can be concerning, I am more concerned by his nagging injury history. I see Pereira as a prime trade chip, though the Yankees may hesitate due to Dominguez’s injury. Pereira can play center field, so the Yankees may keep him around to be a part of the outfield competition if they don’t trade for/sign a veteran option.

UTIL – Caleb Durbin, Hudson Valley/Somerset (.304/.395/.427 (291 PA); 8.9% BB, 6.2% K; 17 doubles, 4 HR, 25 RBI, 46 R, 36 SB; Rule 5 Eligible: 2024)

Durbin was acquired from the Braves as a part of the package for LHP Lucas Luetge. For those who like a “different” kind of prospect, Durbin is for you. Amongst all minor leaguers with 250+ PA, Durbin’s 6.2% K rate was the second-lowest (the leader (Ernie Clement (TOR) is 27 years old). As for his “utility,” I am stretching things a bit as he is likely a second baseman long-term. That said, he played three games at shortstop and 15 games at third base. Plus, his speed may allow him to get some left-field reps. His combination of contact and speed makes him a potentially elevated version of a Ronald Torreyestype. I don’t think he is a long-term starter for the Yankees, but in modern baseball, utility players are expected to take on bigger workloads. As for his lack of plate appearances, a non-contact injury crushed his season. Without that, he may have stolen 60 bases. He should be a 2024 option, perhaps as a shuttle guy to start.

Honorable mentions:

C – Austin Wells, Omar Martinez – Wells is the current favorite (in my mind) to start 2024 as the Yankees’ everyday catcher. Martinez was one of the few solid prospects who didn’t move off his level (Low-A Tampa), though that shouldn’t be seen as worrisome. Ramirez’s fast ascension was too much for me to ignore for the top slot.

1B – T.J. Rumfield, Rafael Flores –  Before an injury stopped him in his tracks, Rumfield was having a power surge down in Somerset. He ended the season with 17 HR in 82 games. but he didn’t hit any in ten games after his rehab stint. Flores hit eight of his nine home runs in his final 53 games. He also had time behind the plate.

2B – Ben Cowles – Before landing in the Arizona Fall League, the Yankees gave Cowles some late-season plate appearances in Triple-A. His upside is limited, but he can draw walks and steal bases. The strikeout rate will need to come down.

SS – Nobody in a full-season league earned this slot. Alexander Vargas has defensive chops but the bat, after a strong start, continues to be problematic (.206/.248/.342 with 16 stolen bases). He is Rule 5 eligible but won’t be chosen, giving the Yankees extra time to develop him. There is a lot of talent in his rear-view mirror, however.

3B – Andres Chaparro, Tyler Hardman – Chaparro was the organization’s leader in runs batted in, and his 25 homers ranked him third. He might be a minor-league free agent if the Yankees don’t add him to the 40-man roster. I suspect he would look for an opportunity that offers him a better shot at MLB. Hardman crushed 26 home runs in only 77 games for Somerset (though he did strike out 33.2% of the time). If not for an injury that ended his season in late July, he was surging towards 30-35 home runs. If he can stick at third base with that kind of pop, his MLB dreams should be reached. Whether that is as a platoon corner IF or an everyday player will be determined by how much he can reduce the strikeouts.

OF – Aaron Palensky, Christopher Familia, Brandon Lockridge – Amongst qualified full-season players, Palensky’s 137 wRC+ was tops in the organization. Much of that came during his insane run at Hudson Valley (.352/.434/.744) which he couldn’t keep going upon reaching Somerset (.183/.327/.383). That was still good enough for a 99 wRC+, which can show you how tough the Double-A environment can be.
Simply put, Familia was a beast in his limited time. He hit 22 home runs and drove in 57 runs in only 68 games. While his Hudson Valley numbers weren’t close to his Tampa numbers, he was hardly overmatched (.264/.332/.472). Before the season began, he was among a group of toolsy prospects looking to break out. I would say he did a good job of that.
Lockridge bounced back from a tough 2022 to hit .296/.379/.414 (40 stolen bases) in 325 plate appearances for Somerset/Scranton. His combination of speed/defense makes me think he can be a Tim Locastro type. It is going to be tough to keep him in the organization.

UTIL Jesus Bastidas – A year after hitting 18 homers in 111 games for Somerset, Bastidas swatted 15 in 118 games between Somerset and Scranton. If he can translate some of that pop into MLB, his versatility will play. I believe that would happen elsewhere, however.

The Future:

Down in the Complex League/DSL, the Yankees had several prospects making noise. This was especially true in the Complex League.

Infielders:

Simply put, it will be hard to find an organization deeper in low-level infield talent.

The most talked about prospect is SS Roderick Arias, who hit .267/.423/.505 with six homers and 17 stolen bases in 27 games. His season was cut short by injury. It is tough to get a read on prospects this low in the system, but Arias is the one who has that superstar-level upside…2B/SS Keiner Delgado had a dynamite season (one that I thought should get him to Low-A, but the Yankees decided against that). He hit .293/.414/.485 in 239 PA with 36 stolen bases. Like Serna, Delgado is on the smaller side (5’7″), but he packs a punch for a kid his size…First-round pick George Lombard made his way to Low-A late in the season, putting together an impressive .311/.466/.356 line in his small 13-game sample. It would be a nice accomplishment if he makes his way to High-A in 2024…There is a “flavor of the year” aspect to following prospects. That likely happened to one-time bonus baby Hans Montero, who hit a paltry .180/.345/.261 in 31 games in the DSL in 2022. In 2023, he rebounded in the FCL, putting up a .257/.419/.404 line in 53 games…Last but not least, Enmanuel Tejeda seems to float under the radar. I don’t think he would in other organizations. He hit .307/.465/.458 in 217 plate appearances with 24 stolen bases in 30 attempts.

In the DSL, Gabriel Terrero clubbed an impressive seven home runs while driving in 27 in 37 games…

The Yankees will need to make room for these players heading into 2024. It is possible they will try to include a few of them as trade sweeteners. Not all of them will make it (if they did, it would go down as a legendary group of prospects!), so it is all about maximizing value in every way.

Outfielders:

Brando Mayea made his debut in the DSL and immediately made an impression. He hit .276/.382/.400  in 38 games with 22 stolen bases…If you want to dream about a kid who can hit leadoff if everything goes right, Gabriel Lara is the one for you. Regarded as one of the speediest players in all of organized baseball, Lara hit .267/.401/.411 in 43 games with 18 stolen bases in 26 attempts. Like most teenagers, he has a lot to work on. That said, it surprised me that he showed that much bat already in his debut season…In the FCL, John Cruz showed impressive power. In 48 games, the left-handed slugger clubbed ten homers and drove home 47 runs (tops in the league). Not far behind him in that department, Willy Montero drove home 43 runs (while hitting only two long balls). Montero’s .331 batting average was good for second in the league…

The draft:

Beyond Lombard, the rest of the 2023 draftees don’t overwhelm you with big upside potential. That said, 2B Roc Riggio has quick rise potential (can be in the same category as Rob Refsnyderetc.) while teenage OF Wilson Rodriguez put together a .799 OPS in 12 FCL games.

One of the more intriguing players is a player that they signed post-draft: 1B/OF Josh Moylan, a 21-year-old left-handed bat out of East Carolina. The Yankees moved him straight to Tampa upon signing him, where he hit .241/.366/.313 in 24 games with a pair of home runs. 1B/3B Dylan Jasso hit .320/.433/.493 in 21 games between the FCL/Low-A. Due to the fact that MLB shortened the draft, we are going to see undrafted players who have legitimate MLB aspirations. In some cases, a player will prefer that over being a 20th-round pick. Moylan was able to shop his services, landing himself a $150,000 bonus.


I don’t like to play the “hype” game and I am typically in the camp where you maximize a prospect’s value when you trade them at a peak point. It is not an exact science – it is why I typically trust the organization to know who to trade and when to trade them. That doesn’t always work out either, but not many Yankees prospects blossom into stars once they are traded.

That said, this is as impressive of a group of offensive prospects as we have seen in recent times. They have graduated Anthony Volpe, Oswald Peraza, Oswaldo CabreraAustin Wells, Everson Pereiraand Jasson Dominguez over the last few years. It is unlikely that Wells, Pereira, and Dominguez would have graduated if the Yankees played to their expectations.

Even after doing that, they haven’t depleted the pipeline. 2024 will be a season where we follow to see if the “next wave” can sustain its momentum. If they can, the Yankees can dream about having a true pipeline instead of occasional high-profile classes.