Thursday, March 2, 2017

Top Yankees Prospects & MLB Player Comps


The New York Yankees invited many of their top prospects to their spring training camp this season as a sign that the future is not only now but it’s bright in the actual future as well. Players like Justus Sheffield, Clint Frazier, Aaron Judge, Jorge Mateo and Gleyber Torres were able to grace the Yankees with their presence this season which left me wondering who their MLB player comps, or comparisons, would be going forward. Here’s my best guess and comparisons, if you disagree or have a better one please leave them below in the comments section.

The Yankees top prospect is Gleyber Torres so what better place to start then there. Torres reminds me a lot of a scrappy young shortstop over in Houston named Carlos Correa. Correa won the American League Rookie of the Year Award in 2015 as a 21-year old prospect and while Torres, who is just 19-years old, has not quite reached that level yet he did recently become the youngest MVP Award winner for the Arizona Fall League so there’s always that. Both are young, great shortstops and both will be around the league for a long, long time.

Speaking of Yankees shortstop prospects and top prospects the Yankees top prospect heading into the 2016 season was also a shortstop and his name is Jorge Mateo. Mateo has already moved off the shortstop position because of Torres and may not ultimately stick their going forward, our very own Ken Reed has been very adamant about Mateo moving to center field in the future, but luckily for him he has the speed and athleticism to basically play anywhere he wants. That sounds a lot like, and I know I’m going to catch flak for even saying this, Jose Reyes while he was in his prime for the New York Mets. You know, the speedy guy who could hit close to .300 and steal 30 bases a season and not the guy who beat his wife. Plug Mateo at the top of an order and watch him go.

If Mateo sets the table and Torres likely hits near the top of the order behind him the Yankees are going to need some big boppers to drive them home and I don’t think anyone is bigger right now than Aaron Judge. Judge stands 6’8” and already got his feet wet at Yankee Stadium last season hitting a home run to dead center field in his first MLB at-bat. So who can you compare an intimidatingly huge man that plays right field and can hit 500-foot home runs on the regular? One man and one man only, the right fielder for the Miami Marlins. Giancarlo Stanton.

The problem with Judge, and it always has been despite the fact that some experts and fans act like this was new and breaking news last September, is that he strikes out a little more than you would like. The Yankees need someone protecting him in the lineup going forward that can get Judge a lot of fastballs to hit and I truly think that man could be the Yankees #2 prospect in their system Clint Frazier. Frazier is a toolsy outfielder that plays balls to the wall each and every play. Frazier is not afraid to get his uniform dirty and he isn’t afraid to show you just how good he is. The easy comparison here is Bryce Harper but I don’t see Frazier as having a confidence that borderlines on cocky so I went in a bit of a different direction by comparing him to the Yankees current left fielder, Brett Gardner.

Hitting and offense is fun and it can win you a lot of games but without pitching it can all be for naught so the final prospect we will look at is another prospect the Yankees acquired during their fire sale last season, left-handed pitcher Justus Sheffield. Sheffield is still just 20-years old but has been impressive at the upper levels despite a small frame that is usually damning for a pitcher. I’ve seen the Marcus Stroman comparison thrown around a lot and I have to say I agree. They both have a smaller frame but both has fluid motions and deliveries that produce a ton of velocity. I have a feeling the Yankees would take five-or-six years or more of control of their very own Marcus Stroman. I know I would.


Those are mine, what are yours? Leave them below in the comments section or shoot me on line on Twitter by giving @GreedyStripes a follow. 

2 comments:

  1. A center fielder needs speed, arm, and a very good glove. Power is nice, but not a NEED, although I would put him down for 10/15(?????) HRs per year. (Maybe!)
    Infielders we have plenty of, starting with Gleyber Torres, J. Mateo even though he may end up at 2nd base.
    I think Castro and Headley should start worrying about their jobs.

    I know you have heard this before but, Domingo Acevedo is ready to be in the BP this year. And IF he can get that 3rd pitch working, a Starter next year. We have Kaprielian, Sheffield, J. Lindgren and Chance Adams leading the pitchers for two spots in the rotation. Higashioka will or should be the backup catcher.

    I have a few sleepers that should help the team by way of trade or better yet as very good players for the team in 2019/20 or sooner. Wilkerman Garcia (18 yr. old) Switch-hitting SS, 2nd base, 3rd base. Taylor Widener RH Starter under 6' with a 95/97 FB, Hot curve, and ok changeup (working on it). I have others but am not at home right now.
    Was that rambling enough?

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  2. Oh, by the way, You done, done, good on your picks to help out the team. I think you could have named a few others but, where would one put them all? It is a blessing and a curse at the same time. Once they get sorted out they are going to have to trade some good players for a NEED we may have somewhere!

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