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 Torreyes–type. 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 Refsnyder, etc.) 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 Cabrera, Austin Wells, Everson Pereira, and 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.