Monday, December 17, 2012

Stephen Drew Comes Off Yanks Board, Signs W/ Boston


The Yankees had very mild interest in Stephen Drew, and I am sure that mild interest turned to zero interest after acquiring Kevin Youkilis, but Drew came off the Yankees board today after signing a one year deal with the Boston Red Sox worth a whopping $9.5 million. That is a very big over-payment, much a dumb signing, generous offer from the Red Sox. I cannot believe this signing to be completely honest but Bill Cherington is supposed to be some sort of genius and I am just a guy who writes for a blog so what do I know?

Prospects : Top 50 Yankees Prospect List

I have an old friend over on the Pro Sports Daily forums who goes by the name "nyyfan4life" that I have posted with off and on since around 2005. His opinion, especially on prospects, is one that I hold in high regard so the other day when he posted his top 50 Yankees prospect list I felt like I had to share it with everybody. The original post can be seen HERE and I have his permission to post this for him so I hope everyone enjoys the list as much as I did.


My top 50 prospects w/ some info and some ML-comparisons. Note: Comparisons are just based of scouting videos and tools of the prospects. I don't want to hear how a "guy that compares to Ryan Zimmerman is lower than a guy who's comparison is AJ Burnett" or anything like that.

1- Mason Williams CF: Plus hitting ability and plus speed…plus defensive potential…developing power…average arm. There are some maturity concerns but that should improve with time...Super talented and athletic...

2- Gary Sanchez C: Plus power and plate discipline… improving defense, strong arm… needs to make more consistent contact and recognize breaking pitches better… has become a better leader. MLB Comp: Brian McCann

3- Slade Heathcott CF: Plus speed, plus defensive skills, plus plate discipline with a developing overall offense....aggressive player, sometimes self-destructive. MLB Comp: Jon Jay

4- Tyler Austin RF: Strong overall offensive player who has found a home at RF. Consistently squares the ball…shows good instincts in the outfield and on the base-paths. MLB Comp: Jayson Werth

5- Manny Banuelos LHP: Plus fastball, plus change-up, above average curve-ball (borderline plus). TJS was a bummer but hopefully he bounces back strong in 2014. MLB Comp: Cole Hamels

6- Jose Campos RHP: Plus fastball velocity and command…needs to learn to spin the breaking pitch a bit better (curveball has shown plus potential)…has a nice, easy delivery. MLB Comp: Roy Oswalt

7- Rafael DePaula RHP: Highest potential upside out of anyone in the system. Plus fastball, curveball combo…Needs to develop the change…Ideal pitcher’s frame, clean delivery. MLB Comp: Felix Hernandez

8- Angelo Gumbs 2B: Best overall athlete in the system...Possesses plus speed and defensive skills…very quick, amazing bat speed...MLB Comp: Howie Kendrick

9- Brett Marshall RHP: Good sinker 91-93 with a borderline plus change-up (rated as the best in the organization according to BA)…Slider is still inconsistent but improving…MLB-ready…Durable since coming back from TJS. MLB Comp: Justin Masterson

10- Ty Hensley RHP: Big, strong kid…Already throws a mid 90’s fastball with a strong curveball..both pitches rate at a near plus level for the future…needs to improve command and show that the shoulder abnormality is a non-issue.

11- Ramon Flores CF: Plus plate discipline...above average speed…average defensive CF…improving power…Very solid overall player who gets it done…Consistent performer...Limited ceiling, high floor. MLB Comp: David DeJesus

12- Austin Romine C: ML-ready…Average contact/plate discipline…Shows gap to gap power…Strong throwing arm with above average receiving skills…Plus intangibles.. 

13- Bryan Mitchell RHP: Plus fastball velocity with arguably the best curveball in the system (BA rated it as the best curveball in the system)…Poor command is holding him back…He threw a career high in innings in 2012 and next year will be a big year for him. MLB Comp: Edinson Volquez

14- Corban Joseph 2B: Very good all-around hitter…Good plate discipline, good power (for a MIF) and consistently makes hard contact…Average defender with average defensive tools. MLB Comp: Neil Walker

15- Greg Bird 1B: Plus offensive potential especially in the power department. He has the tools to be at least an average defensive 1B…Still developing into his body…A guy to keep an eye on in 2013… MLB Comp: Todd Helton (post 2005)

16- Nik Turley LHP: Good command and pick-off move…Has an above average fastball (sitting 91) with 2 above average secondary pitches (change and curve)…The curve has shown the most progression… Tall, lanky build…Near ML-ready. MLB Comp: Ross Detwiler

17- Jose Ramirez RHP: Big fastball that consistently sits 92-94 with some 96’s…BA rated it as the best FA in the organization…He has 2 strong secondary pitches in a power change and a power slider and both show plus potential at times…MLB Comp: Max Scherzer

18- David Adams 2B: Very strong overall hitter…Makes consistent contact, with above average plate discipline and gap to gap power…Average defender at both 2B and 3B…ML-ready…MLB Comp: Jeff Keppinger

19- Mark Montgomery RHP: Solid fastball (sits around 90-91) with an amazing slider…Best in the organization according to BA…A legit swing and miss pitch…Needs to improve fastball command if he wants to be anything more than a set-up man…MLB Comp: Sergio Romo

20- Dante Bichette Jr 3B: Had a very disappointing year offensively in 2012…Made tremendous strides defensively…He still projects to be a good offensive prospect due to above average pitch recognition, plate discipline, hitting ability and power…Has a strong arm and soft hands defensively with solid range…MLB Comp: David Freese

21- Adam Warren RHP: Had another solid year…Looks like a long-term reliever…He throws 2 good fastballs, an average (sometimes above average) slider and a change-up…Good control of his pitches…Not much projection left…

22- JR Murphy C: Another player that had a disappointing year offensively…Has developed into a very good defensive catcher and his leadership skills are second to none on this list…He has good plate discipline and shows gap to gap power offensively…Needs to bounce back…

23- Cito Culver SS:…Plus plate discipline and defensive ability with average speed (for a MiF)…Shows above average range and elite arm strength defensively…Needs to make more consistent contact, work on swing mechanics and be more aggressive earlier in the count…MLB Comp: Nick Punto

24- Nick Goody RHP: Brilliant 2012 (14.6 K/9 and a 1.12 ERA in 32 IP) year after being drafted…Power reliever…Plus fastball (93-96) consistently with an above average slider…Strong command for a power pitcher…MLB Comp: Grant Balfour

25- Dellin Betances RHP: Awful 2012 season…Inconsistent command/delivery…Needs to regain form…Time is running out…Pure stuff is still as good as any…Power fastball (93-95) with movement and a knockout curveball…MLB Comp: AJ Burnett

26- Matt Tracy LHP: Had a breakout 2012 year…Got all the way to AAA in his first full season…Older guy (24 right now) he is near ML ready and shows a good 3 pitch mix…Fastball is in the 91-94 range and has average secondary pitches (CB and CH)…MLB Comp: Jon Niese

27- Daniel Camarena LHP: Solid 3-pitch mix…Fastball sits around 90 mph and throws both a curveball and change-up…Both are solid pitches but nothing great…Has tremendous command of all three pitches…He has a small stature and not much projection left…Looks like a steady prospect…MLB Comp: Wandy Rodriguez

28- Ravel Santana OF: Had a disappointing overall season in 2012 after coming back from a horrible ankle injury…He still has some of the best raw tools in the system and 2013 will be a big year for him…He has legit 20-20 potential…

29- Corey Black RHP: Power arm…Fastball velocity sits around 93-95 and has hit 100 on occasion…He commands it well but has minimal movement…Change-up is his best secondary pitch…Can’t spin a breaking ball and has a small stature…

30- Evan Rutckyj LHP: Big pitcher (standing 6’5) and former hockey player…Fastball sits around 91 comfortably and has really improved his slider…Command needs work but has made tremendous strides and had a solid 2012 campaign…

31- Pater O’Brien C: Big catcher (6’4 and about 225 lbs) and has big time power from the right side…He has plus arm strength but projects to be a 1B/COF/DH as he progresses forward…Offensively, he was compared to Pat Burrell during the draft…Needs to improve his plate discipline, however.

32- Giovanny Gallegos RHP: Nice, easy delivery…Great pitchability and command…Already shows a very strong fastball/curveball combo…Fastball sits around 92…Mexican signee who the Yankees apparently really like…1.67 ERA and a 22/2 K/BB ratio in 27 IP.

33- Tommy Kahnle RHP: One of the most talented arms in the system…Explosive fastball that regularly sits in the low-to-high 90’s…His change-up is a borderline plus pitch…His command has improved in 2012 and he will look to build on that…

34- Melky Mesa CF: Has some of the best tools in the organization…Plus arm strength, defensive skills, speed and above average power…He can’t make consistent contact and that’s his Achilles heel…Had a brief cameo at the ML level in 2012…Could make a fine 4th OF given his skills...

35- Branden Pinder RHP: Power stuff…Strong fastball/slider combo…Fastball that sits around 95 mph and a high 80’s slider…Incredible stuff but too often misses his location…Needs to be more consistent with his command…

36- Austin Aune SS: Very high offensive potential…Already has shown quick bat speed, the ability to hit the ball with authority and above average plate discipline…Has well above average speed, plus arm strength and plus athleticism…Has plus defensive skills but really needs to improve his defense and utilize his physical attributes.

37- Chase Whitley RHP: Big, strong kid…Had a very nice 2012 season in AAA (3.25 ERA)…ML ready…Has a 3 pitch repertoire which includes a fastball (around 90-93), change-up (best pitch) and slider (average offering). He’s more finesse than power but knows how to pitch…

38- Zoilo Almonte OF: Strong 2012 season in AA overall… .277 BA, 21 HR and 15 SB…Has nice tools…Needs to hit lefty pitching better and improve his plate discipline…Very average defensive player…Still fairly young at 23 and he should be ML ready soon…

39- Anderson Feliz 2B: Played through a lot of injuries in 2012…One of my sleeper prospects for 2012…Has plenty of tools including an above average hit tool, above average speed, plate discipline and plus defensive potential…Hit .279 across 2 levels (low-A and hi-A) with a .370 OBP in 2012…Should be a full-time player in Hi-A in 2013…

40- Angel Rincon RHP: Came over from the Dominican this past year…Strong debut (2.57 ERA and sub 1 WHIP in 9 games (6 starts))…Showed a strong fastball-curve combo…Fastball sits low 90’s and he commands it very wall…Has shown the ability to be a plus strike thrower…

41- Gabe Encias RHP: Poor 2012 year…Numbers don’t tell the entire story…His stuff has improved tremendously since being drafted…Sat 93-94 with his fastball (around 91 pre-velocity spike) and showed a much improved power curveball…He had trouble harnessing his improved pitches in 2012. 2013 will be a big year for him…

42- Jack Cave OF: Sleeper candidate…I see him being a top 10 organizational prospect by this time next year…Missed all of 2012 after he busted his knee cap in ST…6th round pick out of a Virginia HS in 2011 (got the highest signing bonus, I believe)…Is a strong and skilled overall prospect…Above average runner and plate discipline…Plus arm strength (ran his FB upto 94 as a prep pitcher)…Has shown the ability to hit the ball all over the field in instructs…MLB Comp: Nick Markakis

43- Miguel Andujar 3B: Youngest prospect on the list (doesn’t turn 18 till March)…Poor statistical season at GCL…Has a lot of good tools…Solid hit tool, shows good patience and has good defensive potential with above average speed…Power isn’t there yet but scouts believe he has 20 HR potential down the road. He has a chance to be an overall impact player and really move up in the rankings in the coming years…MLB Comp: Ryan Zimmerman

44- Zach Nuding RHP: Big guy (6’4 – 260)…Had a productive 2012 year (3.50 ERA and 1.3 WHIP) mostly in Hi-A…Big fastball (92-95, any given night), but with spotty command and very average secondary pitches…He needs to improve either his change or slider if he wants to ever make it to the ML.

45- Rookie Davis RHP: Pitched well in his debut season (sub 3.00 ERA)…Has an above average fastball-curveball combo at his disposal…Fastball sits in the low-90’s when right…Still very young…Needs to be more consistent with his stuff and improve his other offerings…

46- Ben Gamel OF: Has a strong hit tool (career .300 hitter)…He has slightly above average speed and above average defensive skills…Very aggressive player…Brings plus intangibles…Doesn’t have much power nor much physical progression left… 

47- Ronny Bautista LHP: 6’7 Dominican lefty who had a very strong debut season for the GCL Yankees…His fastball was a bit disappointing (reportedly 93-97 in the DSL) at only 89-90 in 2012…He did make strides in improving his command and secondary pitches…If he can regain the lost velo, he’d shoot up the rankings…

48- Jordan Cote RHP: Very good statistically in the brief games he played in last season…Cote still has tons of projection left…Fastball was disappointing (sitting around 90 mph) last season…He needs to work on getting stronger and continue developing both his fastball velo and secondary pitches…

49- Shane Greene RHP: Some of the best power stuff in the system…Plus fastball velocity and movement, a borderline plus slider and an above average change-up…The guy also has some of the worst command in the system..He’s an older guy and he hasn’t cut it as a starter…He can make some strides and open some eyes with a shift to the bullpen…

50- Caleb Cotham RHP: Near ML-ready…Solid 4 pitch mix…FB (90-92), slider (85mph, best pitch), curveball and change-up…All 4 pitches grade out to be at least average and he commands them all well (best control in the organization according to BA)…Came back strong following his injury…MLB Comp: David Phelps