The Yankees’ minor league season begins tomorrow afternoon, as Scranton makes a trip to Buffalo. As always, I will do daily minor league reports. Like 2025, it’s going to be comprehensive but casual, as I think that approach works best.
State of the system:
Over the last several years, the Yankees’ system strength has been its depth. It allowed them to trade dozens of prospects for Major League assets who have had mixed levels of success.
While “star” level prospects have been lacking, Cam Schlittler became an impact pitcher in 2026 despite never being on a major Top 100 preseason list. “Preseason” was used intentionally, as Baseball America listed him in June of 2025. Prospects can surprise you, and there are candidates on the list below for a similar breakout.
However, perception is still important. As I was making this Top 30, something jumped out at me almost immediately: The depth is an issue. Does this mean the Yankees will struggle to make trades in July? They might, but what is true now may not be true in July. Prospects are fickle. That said, I can only go by what is in front of me. And I see a below-average system entering 2026.
With that, here is my Top 30:
1. George Lombard Jr., SS (20 years old)
While Lombard Jr. didn’t need to get to Somerset as a teenager, I was rooting for it. After dominating in Hudson Valley, the Yankees had no choice but to challenge him. While the numbers don’t stand out (.215/.337/.358), it should be noted that the Eastern League isn’t great for hitters (that triple slash came with a 111 wRC+), and he was one of the youngest players in the league. Much of what determines his future is how much game power he can tap into.
2. Carlos Lagrange, RHP (22)
Starter or closer? In a sea of high-velocity pitchers across baseball, Lagrange’s fastball still stands out, topping at 103 MPH. He may have enough of a pitch mix to remain a starter, but his control issues could limit his potential to eat innings in the rotation. I don’t think there is a wrong answer to his future role, but the Yankees will keep starting him until he shows them that they can’t.
3. Elmer Rodriguez, RHP (22)
When I was growing up, pitchers who had a wide assortment of pitches couldn’t break a pane of glass with their fastballs. Times have changed, as Rodriguez’s assortment of pitches includes a hard 4-seamer and a sinker. He can probably provide MLB innings as early as Opening Day, though the Yankees don’t have a need. I like Lagrange’s upside more, but Rodriguez’s risk feels lower.
4. Ben Hess, RHP (23)
The first-round pick in 2024 struck out 33.9% of the batters he faced in his debut campaign. He is built like Lance Lynn (6’5″, 255) and draws some comparisons as a potential innings-eating starter who will occasionally flash ace-level results. A 2026 debut is possible, though it will be tough to break into the Yankees’ rotation.
5. Dax Kilby, IF/OF (19)
The first-round pick in 2025 instantly showed off his bat-to-ball skills, hitting .353/.457/.441 in 18 games for Tampa. I list him as an IF/OF because his future position is in question. However, that isn’t due to a lack of athleticism, as some scouts think he can convert from shortstop to center field. The Yankees were penalized in the 2025 draft, as their #1 pick moved down ten slots. It may end up becoming a blessing in disguise.
6. Bryce Cunningham, RHP (23)
Cunningham was a standout in the 2023 Cape Cod League, which likely grabbed the Yankees’ attention. While his subsequent season for Vanderbilt didn’t stand out (4.36 ERA with a 96/34 K/BB over 84.2 innings), it did show a marked improvement over his previous campaigns. I am bullish on his future, and I wouldn’t worry about his Arizona Fall League performance, as that was essentially a rehab stint.
7. Spencer Jones, OF (24)
Jones, who turns 25 in May, was stellar this spring (remember, Spring Training means nothing) and has positioned himself as a call-up candidate for some time in 2026. That said, I need to see significant improvement in his swing-and-miss before I buy back into him as a legitimate MLB difference-maker. He has all the tools, but that is only a part of the battle.
8. Thatcher Hurd, RHP (23)
If you read my minor league reports, your first question might be “Who?” That is valid, as Hurd has yet to make his professional debut despite being drafted in the 4th round in 2024. There is a lot of risk/reward with Hurd, who was once considered one of the most talented arms on the LSU staff. Whether he can harness his stuff and make up for lost development time is the question. I rank him here based on the extreme upside, though it can also point to some minor league depth issues.
9. Henry Lalane, LHP (21)
If I had asked 100 prospect followers three years ago whether Lagrange or Lalane was the better prospect, we may have had a split decision. In 2023, pitching for the Yankees’ FCL squad, the 6’7″ southpaw posted a 34/4 K/BB over 21.2 innings. While the ERA was mediocre (4.57), the control he displayed was encouraging, especially since it continued a trend of better control from his 2022 campaign. However, injuries, velocity concerns, and a spike in his walk rate have dimmed his light. I will remain a tad bullish, but he is entering that “put up or shut up” stage.
10. Kyle Carr, LHP (23)
Unlike Lalane, Carr is piling up minor-league innings, tossing 237 over the past two seasons (not bad in the modern development game). While there was some batted ball luck involved (.236 BABIP), Carr cruised through Hudson Valley last year before the batted ball gods evened the score (.333 BABIP) upon his promotion to Somerset. Carr is the rare Yankees’ prospect who has seen a dip in his stuff since being drafted. He is going through an adjustment phase as the Yankees hope he can regain some of his shine.
11. Cade Smith, RHP (23)
Injuries have held back Smith, a prospect known more for his offspeed offerings than his fastball. One thing I worry about with Smith-like pitchers is how their pitch mix will translate in the upper minors, where it’s a little harder to rely on trickery over power. That said, Smith gets high grades for his ability to spin his breaking pitches, giving me hope that he is a true MLB-level prospect.
12. Chase Hampton, RHP (24)
A healthy Hampton would have made his MLB debut by now. However, he hasn’t pitched since 2024, a season in which he tossed only 18.2 innings. He put his name on the prospect map in 2023, when he pitched to a 3.63 ERA (3.38 FIP) over 106.2 innings with a 33.1% strikeout rate. There are a lot of questions here, including whether his stuff will return when he does. And, even if it does, it is hard to envision a 2026 debut, even though he is on the 40-man roster. A long road is ahead.
13. Stiven Marinez, SS (18)
The Yankees debuted two big teenage shortstop prospects in 2025: Marinez and Mani Cedeno. In 2024, the Yankees needed to pivot when Roki Sasaki decided to take his talents to Los Angeles and used most of that money on Marinez. While outcomes in the DSL are hard to trust, it is better to play well than not. Marinez certainly pulled that off, hitting .275/.424/.375 with 41 walks in 47 games. For now, the left-handed hitter should be able to stick at shortstop.
14. Mani Cedeno, SS (17)
Cedeno was one of the biggest prizes in the 2025 international class, allowing the Yankees to sign two big shortstop prospects in a relatively short amount of time. Cedeno is younger than Marinez, and perhaps that is why his performance wasn’t nearly as good (.183/.371/.305). He walked 43 times, but struck out 76 times. Like with Marinez, he should be able to stick at shortstop for the time being, though experts appear to be more bullish on Marinez sticking there long-term.
15. Kaeden Kent, IF (22)
Drafted in the 3rd round out of Texas A&M, Kent didn’t get off to a hot professional start (.186/.217/.265 with a pair of homers). I will give him a pass, given that they challenged him by placing him in High-A Hudson Valley. Kent played a variety of positions in his first two years at Texas A&M, but was their everyday shortstop in 2025.
16. Engelth Urena, C (21)
The Yankees’ catching pipeline is typically robust, but that is not the case entering 2026. For now, Urena is the “last man standing” after they traded several catchers over the last several months. Urena’s power caught everyone’s attention when he was in the DSL/FCL, though he struggled upon reaching a full-season league. Catchers often develop more slowly, so I am willing to show patience as he enters a key campaign.
17. Brando Mayea, OF (20)
Mayea has languished in the rookie leagues for three years, partially due to injury (he has only 407 plate appearances). He hit well in 20 games last year (.297/.373/.500 with three home runs). The clock is ticking, but he still has time if he can stay healthy. Not everyone can.
18. Pico Kohn, LHP (23)
We haven’t used the word “pitchability” much in recent years, mostly because velocity is king. Kohn isn’t exactly Jamie Moyer, but he relies more on command of his fastball than speed. More importantly, his slider/changeup combination should keep him in the rotation. Though he has yet to throw a professional pitch, I wouldn’t be shocked if he made starts for Somerset this season.
19. Juan Torres, IF (18)
Performance over pedigree? While Marinez and Cedeno were bonus babies, Torres signed for only $50,000. When it came to performance, however, he easily outshone both, hitting .359/.406/.516 with four home runs and 43 RBI in 47 games. He is not a shortstop and, as you might suspect, his BABIP was high (.386). He likes to swing the bat, perhaps giving one hope he can become a Miguel Andujar-type prospect. The road is long, and pitchers will begin to try to exploit his aggressive style.
20. Xavier Rivas, LHP (23)
Rivas had his share of struggles in 2025, but exploded down the stretch. In his final five starts, he struck out 44 hitters and allowed only four runs on nine hits over 29.1 innings. Rivas relies more on deception than velocity, with an advanced feel of his changeup and slider. Pitchers with his style scare me as they move up to the higher minors.
21. Sean Paul Linan, RHP (21)
Call me a sucker for a pitcher who has one elite pitch in their arsenal. That’s a great starting point, right? If the Yankees Pitching Lab can help him refine his other offerings, they could have a sneaky middle-of-the-rotation prospect on their hands. If not, his tricky changeup may be enough to carve out a relief role. He is young and already has a little experience in the upper minors. While that didn’t go well, getting his feet wet should benefit him.
22. Brendan Beck, RHP (27)
When the Yankees drafted Beck, most felt that his road to MLB would be a short one, given that he was nearly a fully-baked prospect. Injuries put an end to that dream, though he finally had a full season of work in 2025. Beck slipped through the Rule 5 draft and is a candidate to make his MLB debut in 2026 despite not being on the 40-man roster. If he can stay healthy, there’s not much left for him to prove in the minors. For those who have been around a while, Beck’s profile reminds me somewhat of Jeff Karstens. Before that makes you cringe, Karstens carved out a 138-game career that would have gone longer if he hadn’t needed to retire due to a rotator cuff injury.
23. Allen Facundo, LHP (23)
Facundo is a rare left-handed pitcher who can dial up the fastball over 100 MPH. The Yankees took a risk by leaving him exposed in the Rule 5 draft, but he only has 148 career innings and has yet to advance above Low-A Tampa. We are likely looking at a future relief prospect, and the upside is scary in that role. But he must start showing that he can stay healthy.
24. Rory Fox, RHP (22)
The Yankees have a knack for adding velocity to a prospect’s profile, and Fox is no different. There is talk that his fastball hit the upper-90s in workouts. If he can maintain that during his first taste of a professional workload, the potential is there for him to jump up this list.
25. Cade Winquest, RHP (25)
Winquest may not even be in the organization anymore in a few weeks, which is an obvious reason to suppress his ranking. The Yankees are loaded with pitching, and it’s hard to see him surviving barring a fast start (assuming he gets some innings) or injuries. In case you are wondering, Jake Bird and Brent Headrick have options, giving the Yankees another path to keep Winquest around.
26. Enmanuel Tejeda, IF (21)
I admit to having a soft spot for the undersized Tejeda, who has shown solid contact and plate discipline skills in the lower minors. In 149 plate appearances for Tampa in 2025, he owned a higher BB% (17.4) than K% (13.4%). He has enough speed to steal some bases, as well. However, two things are working against him: He likely won’t grow into much power, and the Yankees didn’t give him any time at shortstop in 2025. His upside is likely in the Ronald Torreyes range, with a little more speed, which would be a developmental success.
27. Jace Avina, OF (22)
Avina has reached double digits in home runs in each of his four minor league seasons, though he struggled (like many prospects) upon reaching Double-A in 2025. The Yankees are always in the market for right-handed outfielders, and Avina has the potential to become a #4-type corner outfielder who could handle center in a pinch. That said, the Yankees don’t typically rely on young players for that role.
28. Richard Matic, 3B (18)
Matic’s first taste of DSL ball, as a 16-year-old, didn’t go as planned. He hit .196/.333/.248 without a home run. Assigned to the level again as a 17-year-old, Matic made the adjustments (and likely grew a bit) and dominated the league (.336/.487/.566 with five home runs). That came with an unsustainable .439 BABIP, but the progress was still noticeable. I assume he will make his way to the States and begin 2026 in the FCL.
29. Alexander Almonte, RHP (19)
You can’t get much more volatile than a pitcher working in the DSL. I normally toss them and give them little to no consideration, but Almonte has an intriguing profile that I can’t ignore. So far, his best attribute is his ability to keep the ball on the ground (54.4% rate in 2025). While he isn’t missing bats at an extreme rate, the upside is there for that to happen. Prospects are wild cards by definition, but Almonte is a wild card in a 1,000-card deck.
30. Francisco Vilorio, OF (19)
The Yankees are desperate to develop one of their bonus babies, and Vilorio’s $1.75 million signing bonus fits that definition. Like Matic, his debut season wasn’t encouraging (.196/.294/.345 in 170 plate appearances). While his sophomore campaign wasn’t as eye-popping as Matic’s, it showed improvement (.279/.387/.366, though he went from four home runs in 2024 to zero in 2025). Additionally, Fangraphs pointed out that he owned a 75% whiff rate on spin. Not good. At 19 years old, it’s time for him to move, and the Yankees will take a deep breath as they hope for improvement.
Some Notes:
“Where are the relief prospects?”
The Yankees are having issues developing relievers. I would have wagered at least $2 on Eric Reyzelman making his MLB debut in 2025, but he regressed, lost the strike zone, and ended the season on the injured list. Harrison Cohen was considered for the 26-30 slots, along with at least a dozen other prospects.
“Where is Brock Selvidge?”
Selvidge was #15 in my original draft. However, he is out for the season and is now at a crossroads point in his career. I don’t consider him a big enough prospect to keep him in the Top 30 as he begins his long road to getting back on the hill.
“So, you have given up on Roderick Arias?”
Prospect development isn’t linear. However, the Yankees had him repeat Low-A Tampa, and he did not progress. It can be argued that he regressed. So, to answer the question, I have given up on him as a viable prospect. If he proves me wrong, that’s a win, right?
“Was Core Jackson‘s ranking suppressed by the off-the-field issues?”
While he was somewhere in my pile of names, I must admit that his off-the-field issues factored into his ranking, or lack thereof. I don’t blame anyone if they are skeptical of a prospect who drew a swastika on a Jewish student’s dorm door, and his performance didn’t exactly inspire confidence anyway.
“Did you have a serious debate with yourself over anyone that didn’t make the list?”
Yes. RHP Mac Heuer feels like the type of prospect the Yankees turn into something. He is a big kid (6’5″, 265) who has a lot of work to do to become viable. However, there is an intriguing upside that was hard to ignore. It was a last-second switch to place Vilorio at #30, and it’s hard to explain why. How do I compare a projectable arm who has yet to make his debut to a bonus baby outfielder filled with potential but red flags everywhere? Good question. I also thought about Ernesto Martinez Jr. at #30, given his imposing size (6’5″) and raw left-handed power. However, at 26, his trouble converting that into game power gives me pause.
“Wait! Pipeline has this player here, Baseball America has this player there….etc.”
I don’t claim to own the expertise of other websites. This list is my preference based on reading a bunch of profiles and looking at statistical output. Just looking at the Pipeline list, I see they have OF Wilson Rodriguez 18th. He was somewhere in my pile of names, but admittedly was never on a final scrub list.
“Anyone else you think might surprise?”
Outfielder Jackson Castillo has plenty of speed (22-for-23 stealing bases) and has shown some discipline, which allows him to use that speed. His first taste of Double-A wasn’t great, and he has to refine his play in center field, but he has MLB upside.