Lukewarm Stove League...

 

Owners & Players’ remake of The Big Chill…

I miss Major League Baseball…

As a fan, it is frustrating there is no sense of urgency with MLB owners and players to settle their differences in an expedient manner. The Lockout, in December, applies no pressure on either side since the days leading up to Christmas and the New Year tend to be quiet. The sides are expected to accelerate their talks next month and tackle the core economic issues, but for me, January is perilously close to February which means any extended delays or snags in negotiations could threaten the start of Spring Training.

For once, I wish the MLB owners could put greed aside and do what is right for the good of the game. If MLB owners cannot afford paying higher salaries or do not want to, sell. I do not care if it is a small market team or a large one. There never seems to be shortage of billionaires who want a chance to own a Major League baseball team. It is too bad the fans do not have a seat at the table for these talks because it is our money they are arguing about. If the owners really cared about us, they would be working tirelessly to end this labor dispute.

If February 1^st is a soft deadline for resolution, I hope all parties collaborate, compromise, and hammer out mutually beneficial terms for the new collective bargaining agreement before next month ends. Not sure what it will take to motivate the sides to talk other than the loss of revenue, which, if it gets to that point, hurts all of us.

Well, at least for now we have minor league signings. So far this off-season, GM Brian Cashman’s dumpster diving has yielded:

 SS Jose Peraza

SS Wilkerman Garcia

CF Ender Inciarte

CF Blake Perkins

RHP Vinny Nittoli

Of the names, I liked the signing of Inciarte. A few years ago, I would have been thrilled with the move. He has not played at a prominent level since 2018 but he is still only 31 and could play an important depth role if he is able to rebound from his recent history of injuries. He is not going to replace Aaron Hicks, a guy who probably needs to be replaced, but he could support Hicks if the Yankees go out and acquire a starting centerfielder, pushing Hicks to the fourth outfielder role. Unless he really shows something in Spring Training, I cannot see Inciarte making the Opening Day roster.

Ender Inciarte / Credit: Jennifer Stewart, Getty Images

Jose Peraza, once a touted prospect, has bounced around in recent years. Yet, he is still only 27. I do not expect the Yankees to unlock his unfulfilled potential, but as TGP’s Daniel Burch likes to say, there is no such thing as a bad minor league deal®. He only played 36 games for the New York Mets last season and played primarily at second base. Steamer projects Peraza to 31 games for 2022 with 3 homers and .251/.299/.372 batting line including .292 wOBA. Seems like a Scranton/Wilkes-Barre shuttle candidate who would only play in New York if the health of the active roster demanded it.

Jose Peraza / Credit: Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports

Wilkerman Garcia is just a sad reminder, to me, of the disappointment from the Yankees’ explosive spending for international talent in 2014 when they signed Dermis Garcia ($3.2 million); Nelson Gomez ($2.25 million); Juan De Leon ($2 million); Jonathan Amundaray ($1.5 million); Miguel Flames ($1.1 million); and Hyo-Joon Park ($1.1 million). Wilkerman received $1.35 million. I had expected the Yankees to hit on at least one of these players. Park did play one game for the Yankees last year, but his biggest contribution was being part of the trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates which netted reliever Clay Holmes. The other Garcia, Dermis, is the one I had really wanted to rise through the organization, but he was unable to progress and left the organization this off-season signing a free agent minor league deal with the Oakland/Possibly Future Las Vegas A’s. Wilkerman, who has not played in two years due to the pandemic and injury, looks to rebound with the Rail Riders next season.

The signing of Blake Perkins is interesting. Not really expecting anything here, but he was once a second-round pick (69^th overall) in the 2015 June Amateur Draft by the Washington Nationals. He most recently served in the Kansas City Royals organization and is only 25. He does not seem to be anything more than a no-hit, speedy outfielder but the Yankees have liked those guys in recent years.

Vinny Nittoli is a 30-year-old career minor leaguer who had a very brief cup of coffee with the Seattle Mariners last season. An analytics team reclamation project.

All these signings seem more likely to help Scranton/Wilkes-Barre if anything. If they are playing at the Major League level, they have either sold their souls to the Devil or things have gone horribly wrong in the Bronx. If Inciarte could turn back time and become the player he once was, it would be cool.

 I guess if anything, these guys gave me something to write about. As I said, I miss baseball.

To go off topic, Noah Syndergaard will wear #34 for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim next season. While it was his number in Queens, the number has not been worn in Anaheim since the death of former Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart. Syndergaard reportedly was going to seek another number out of respect for Adenhart but was talked into wearing the number by Angels management and more importantly, the Adenhart family. I thought that was very cool and it provides a way for the memory of Adenhart to live on. A classy move by Thor and the Angels, considering they ensured the Adenhart family was part of the decision.

Noah Syndergaard / Credit: Rich Schultz & Kevork Djansezian via Getty Images

I saw that former Yankees shortstop prospect Kyle Holder signed a minor league deal with the Colorado Rockies. Good for him. It is too bad his hit tool could never match his superior fielding skills. When you cannot hit, go to Colorado. Makes sense. The other Holder, Jonathan, re-signed with the Chicago Cubs organization.

Joel Sherman of The New York Post has been on a roll with his trade ideas lately:

Jasson Dominguez, Luis Gil and Chad Green for Elvis Andrus and Matt Olson.

 While I do not really endorse trading Dominguez at the risk of sounding like a prospect-hugger, Olson is probably one of the few guys it would be worth it. But honestly, I would rather see the Yankees spend the money to sign Freddie Freeman and keep Dominguez. Andrus is a shortstop solution to keep the position warm for either Oswald Peraza or Anthony Volpe, but it does not excite me. I want to see the Yankees get better to face the increased competition in the American League. Olson certainly is part of that equation, but Andrus is just a position-filler who does not move this team higher. 

Luis Gil and Oswald Peraza for Ketel Marte.

 I would hate to lose Peraza but if the Yankees sign, say, Trevor Story, Marte would be a nice addition. He can play center field even if he is a stronger second baseman, but versatility is good. It does seem like the Yankee would need to trade either Gleyber Torres or DJ LeMahieu if Marte is added, so I would probably not want to see this trade. 

Joey Gallo, Luis Gil, Chad Green, Gleyber Torres and Luke Voit for Trent Grisham, Austin Nola, and Jurickson Profar.

 I like the idea of Grisham in center field and Nola would provide a solution for those who would prefer to see Gary Sanchez wearing a different uniform next season. The Yankees would need to ensure they find their new first baseman (Olson, Freeman or Anthony Rizzo) but I am not opposed to moving Torres in a deal that improves the team. It would free second base for LeMahieu and Profar could be the super sub.

Austin Nola and Trent Grisham / Credit: Associated Press

I do not think any of these trade ideas will come to fruition, but they are fun to talk about. In a separate article, Joel Sherman pitched Carlos Rodon or Sean Manaea as possible fits for the Yankees starting rotation. I like either of these ideas as both carry strong upside potential. For as much fun as Nestor Cortes was last season, I would prefer to see him fill the role of spot starter/long man rather than one of the five cogs in the primary rotation. Luis Severino is a question mark until he proves he can be a top starter again. I am confident he will but until he does, there is doubt. Taillon will be delayed due to off-season surgery so the Yankees need another starter who can provide consistency as well as Jordan Montgomery or better. Rodon, on a short-term deal, or Manaea as part of a Matt Olson trade would be great. It is more likely Brian Cashman trades for a pitcher none of us are talking about and who their analytics team has fallen in love with.

For the record, I do want to see Aaron Hicks stay healthy and if healthy, he is a particularly skillful player for the Yankees. I wish I were more confident in his ability to stay healthy which is the only reason I am open to center field improvements.

I am reluctant to part with Gary Sanchez even if I feel he has worn out his welcome in the Bronx for no other reason than there are no in-house options to replace him. The best prospects, like Austin Wells, remain a couple of years away. Kyle Higashioka is not a Major League starter and never will be. A reunion with Austin Romine would not be the answer. Unless the Yankees can acquire a legitimate Major League starting catcher, we have no chance but to support Sanchez.

As always, Go Yankees!

Pinstriped Prospects Top 50 MiLB Midseason Prospects

I know I have said this a million times here on this blog but that is only because I have zero issue giving credit where credit is due and credit is definitely due to Robert Pimpsner and his entire staff over at Pinstriped Prospects. Those guys do a great job every single day with covering the various farm systems, affiliates and players from the New York Yankees and they are an excellent resource and source for all things Yankees prospects. They are definitely bookmarked on my Google Chrome and I fully suggest they should be on yours too so you don’t miss out on spectacular posts like their Top 50 MiLB Midseason Prospects list that was released this week. Check it out on Pinstriped Prospects.com.

If you want to see the full write-up and full list from the guys over there then head to their site and check it out. They deserve the views and the clicks for all their hard work and I highly encourage you do so because there is so much information on this post alone. For the sake of this post though I am going to simply list PP’s Top 10 Yankees prospects for your informational purposes only. Enjoy and leave your thoughts and comments in the comments section below.

1.       Gleyber Torres

2.       Estevan Florial

3.       Clint Frazier

4.       Domingo Acevedo

5.       Chance Adams

6.       Tyler Wade

7.       Justus Sheffield

8.       Wilkerman Garcia

9.       Albert Abreu

10.   Thairo Estrada

I am not sure I could personally put Garcia, Abreu and Estrada above Clarke Schmidt (yes I get the Tommy John surgery concerns), Matt Sauer and Miguel Andujar but that is half the fun in these lists. Opinions and objectivity. Plus you all know how I feel about Tyler Wade so… 

Pinstripes Prospects Updated Top 50 Prospect List

Photo courtesy of Pinstriped Prospects

The New York Yankees, depending on who you read and who you trust, either has the best farm system or the second best farm system in all of Major League Baseball. Whether they are first or second in the league is a matter of opinion but either way I think we can all agree that New York has a pretty damn good farm system. When I start researching the Yankees and their prospects my first stop I make is at our friends over at Pinstriped Prospects. When I checked this week I read their updated Top 50 Yankees Prospect list. You can see the complete list here:

https://pinstripedprospects.com/updated-2017-new-york-yankees-top-50-prospect-list-21767

Just for reference here are the Top 10 Yankees prospects from the list:

Gleyber Torres

Blake Rutherford

Clint Frazier

Chance Adams

James Kaprielian

Justus Sheffield

Tyler Wade

Estevan Florial

Domingo Acevedo

Wilkerman Garcia

Check out the remainder of the list and all their write-ups and reasoning by clicking the link above. 

The Yankees Shortstop Depth is Disgusting… In a Good Way

The New York Yankees have a gluttony of shortstop prospects right now and it’s absolutely disgusting… in a good way. As we all know by now, because even people under rocks have cell service and Wi-Fi these days, the Yankees traded Aroldis Chapman to the Chicago Cubs for their top prospect Gleyber Torres who joins elite company at the shortstop position in the Yankees farm system. The intention of this post is to showcase some of this talent a bit.

Gleyber Torres is the Yankees top prospect according to my post-trade Top Prospects list we posted on the blog this week while fellow shortstop Jorge Mateo was bumped to second. Torres and newly acquired outfielder Billy McKinney also bumped a fellow shortstop Wilkerman Garcia down from the 8^th position to the 9^th position while Tyler Wade finished 12^th on the list. Those are the names you likely know, here are a few that you may not.

Hoy-Jun Park was one of the many names the Yankees signed during that international free agent haul from a few seasons back and has absolutely been tearing up Pulaski since his signing. Thairo Estrada is another who has been toiling around in short season ball while Abi Avelino just got the call up that Jorge Mateo was hoping for in Trenton this week.

Some of other shortstops who may see either second base or their base in their future due to development and/or the absolute logjam the Yankees have going on right now at the position include Vince Conde who was drafted out of the University of Texas, Kyle Holder who was drafted last year by the organization and Angel Aguilar. Conde seems to be more polished than Holder despite both being college picks in the draft while Aguilar seems to be the farthest from the Major Leagues in the group.

This impressive list of stars is why you don’t worry about acquiring a Torres in a Chapman trade. You don’t worry about having a young and impressive shortstop in Didi Gregorius already in the Major Leagues because shortstops are shortstops for two reasons. Well maybe more than two reasons but two main reasons, arm strength and the range and flexibility that allows you to go all over the diamond. That translates well at second base and it translates at third base as well. And if it doesn’t you can always trade from a strength and get the positions filled that you need so don’t fret Yankees family, having too many shortstops is a good problem to have.

Yankees Post Aroldis Chapman Trade Top Prospects List

The New York Yankees got quite the haul to start the week for left-handed closer Aroldis Chapman including shortstop Gleyber Torres, outfielder Billy McKinney, right-handed pitcher and former Yankee Adam Warren and switch-hitting center fielder Rashad Crawford. Would any of these three prospects, obviously Warren is no longer a prospect, crack the Yankees Top 10 Prospects list? In a word, yes.

1. Gleyber Torres
2. Jorge Mateo

3. Gary Sanchez

4. Aaron Judge

5. James Kaprielian
6. Billy McKinney

7. Dustin Fowler

8. Ian Clarkin

9. Wilkerman Garcia

10. Miguel Andujar

11. Blake Rutherford

12. Tyler Wade

We did 11 just because, I wanted to go 12 as well. That's how you know the farm system is getting stacked. It's a sight for sore eyes ladies and gents. A sight I have been wishing for since, what, 2005?

2016 Yankees Post-Draft Top 10 Prospects List

The New York Yankees have officially signed all of their Top 10 prospects from the 2016 MLB First year Players Draft. Can any of these ten crack the Yankees Top 10 post-draft prospects list here on the blog? Well let’s find out.

1.       Jorge Mateo

2.       Gary Sanchez

3.       Aaron Judge

4.       James Kaprielian

5.       Dustin Fowler

6.       Ian Clarkin

7.       Wilkerman Garcia

8.       Miguel Andujar

9.       Rob Refsnyder (for now)

10.   Blake Rutherford

Rob Refsnyder will likely graduate from prospect status at some point this season which is why I specified the “for now” in my rankings. Bryan Mitchell and Jacob Lindgren saw injuries derail their chances at the Top 10 while the top five or six seem to be common on any prospect list you see. Some have Tyler Wade ranked pretty highly but we all know by now how I feel about him. His no bat, all defense and no power talent skill doesn’t excite me like it does others, no disrespect intended.

And we finish with Rutherford 10^th. Now I don’t feel like the nine guys in front of him will be any better than Rutherford but he is so far away, he’s starting his career in the GCL with the GCL Yankees, which means he has some earning and work to do before he climbs any higher.

That’s my list. What’s yours?

Ian Desmond and the New York Yankees?

Earlier on during our annual Prospects Month I discussed the state of the Yankees farm system and specifically showcased New York's plethora and stable of upcoming shortstop prospects. I broke all these shortstops down to future shortstops, assuming they stay in this organization, and future third or second baseman, again assuming they stay here in the Bronx, but the Texas Rangers gave me something else to think about when they signed former Washington Nationals shortstop and second baseman Ian Desmond. The Rangers did not sign Desmond to replace Elvis Andrus at short or to take over in the infield at all though, the team has plans of having him play in left field in Arlington Park in 2016. Is this something the Yankees could conceivably be doing with all their shortstop talent they have down on the farm?

Truth be told the Yankees have a ton of outfield prospects as well but none of them are the "can't miss" or blue chip prospects that every team covets. Ben Gamel won the MiLB Player of the Year Award in 2015 and Mason Williams, Dustin Fowler, Slade Heathcott and others look to be very usable and capable MLB pieces going forward but outside of Aaron Judge the Yankees are lacking true impact and game changing talent. Could the Yankees use all their shortstops to build a complete team full of versatility and flexibility? In a word, yes!

For the sake of consistency and not contradicting myself I will leave the likes of Jorge Mateo, Thairo Estrada, Hoy-Jun Park and Wilkerman Garcia at the shortstop position since we kept them there in previous posts here on the blog. This leaves, and this is obvious an incomplete list but I picked the most notable shortstops left in the organization, Cito Culver, Abi Avelino, Tyler Wade, Vince Conde, Angel Aguilar and Kyle Holder as potential outfielders for the club. Could any of them hack it? No pun intended.

Culver's biggest issue as a Yankees prospect has been his inability to hit, not to defend, and you need a certain amount of offense out of any outfielder leaving Culver on the outside looking in once again. Meanwhile Avelino is a small guy standing at 5'11" and weighing in at 186 lbs and has seemingly shown little in the power department hitting just seven home runs in four professional seasons. Avelino is just 21-years old but it seems unlikely he'll ever have the bat to carry him in the outfield at the Major League level. The same can be said for Wade and Holder, although Holder is still considered raw with the bat and elite defensively in the middle infield, but Angel Aguilar may have a true shot.

Aguilar is just 20-years old and has already shown a patience at the plate that could lead towards big power numbers and a higher batting average. Aguilar also has the frame for an outfielder standing at 6'0" and 170 lbs. with plenty of time still to grow into his frame and add power. As a member of the Gulf Coast Yankees Aguilar played center field, albeit for a single game, and did not look out of place giving the Yankees a glimmer of hope if they choose to move the talented middle infielder to the outfield. The Yankees need to move someone, probably multiple people, off the shortstop position to make room for them all and Aguilar may be the best bet to move from the shortstop position to the outfield.

TGP Prospects Night Open Thread featuring Cito Culver

Cito Culver may be on his way out of the New York Yankees organization sooner rather than later. Culver will hold his final stand in 2016 with the organization as he runs out of minor league options and the options behind him get stronger and stronger. Once thought of as a top prospects Culver just never seemed to come around with bat unfortunately and is in danger of being overtaken by the likes of Jorge Mateo, Kyle Holder, Abi Avelino, Thairo Estrada and others. 

In what could be Culver's penultimate stand we bring you this interview that was conducted in September of 2015. Enjoy because Prospects Month is almost over.

Comparing the 2015 Top Prospects List to 2016

The annual TGP Prospects Month Top Prospect list is almost over for another year after we announced our 6th best prospect this season, Domingo Acevedo. Before we enter the big boys and the Top 5 of the rankings I wanted to take the opportunity to take a look at the Top 28 list from 2015 up to this point while recapping the 2016 season up until this point as well.

You would think that losing Greg Bird and Luis Severino to prospect graduation and the major injuries to Luis Torrens, Ty Hensley and others would severely affect the list but in retrospect it really hasn't. If anything the list has gotten deeper and stronger which goes to show you just how far the Yankees system has come over the years.

The future is bright and it's a sight for sore eyes, no pun intended.

The Future of the Yankees System - The Shortstops

The New York Yankees have spent the last few seasons not only trying to compete at the Major League level year in and year out the team has also been working towards, maybe even hard towards, building a true and legitimate farm system. The system and the men running this system are presumably new at building a farm system from the ground up so there were obviously some hiccups along the way but the team seems to have finally got it. Not only is the team finding spots for their emerging talents on the MLB roster but they are also finding ways to prop up their prospects for trades to fill out the rest of the roster. The Yankees were once stacked at the catcher position, the outfield position and the right-handed reliever position and the Yankees latest area of focus has seemingly been the middle infield. The Yankees have stockpiled a stable of shortstops and second baseman that will either have a future with the big league Yankees or have a future as trade bait that bring players back to New York.

We all know the list of impressive shortstops the Yankees have in their minor league system but how many will stick at the position and how many may have to switch positions is something that many may not know going forward. New York has seemingly found the replacement to Derek Jeter in Didi Gregorius but who may be the next Derek Jeter?

We'll start with the man who wants to be the next Derek Jeter, Jorge Mateo. Mateo is arguably the Yankees best prospect in the entire system and is coming off a strong season where he stole 82 bases across various minor league systems. Mateo is the obvious choice to be a future MLB shortstop, whether that be with the Yankees or with another MLB club. He has the speed, the bat and the defense to stick long term.

Thairo Estrada was held back to continue his development in short-season ball not because he wasn't ready for a full season but because the Yankees system is that stacked at the position. Estrada showed a great bat with doubles power and an even better batting eye taking almost as many walks as he recorded strikeouts in 2015. This all happened while Estrada was still the youngest player in the New York/Penn League.

Hoy-Jun Park benefited from the Yankees adding another affiliate in Pulaski and he tore up the Appalachian League. Park stole bases, hit for power and hit for extra base hits while giving the organization zero doubts about his ability to play professional baseball despite still being a teenager.

The final prospect that looks likely to stick at the shortstop position is Wilkerman Garcia. While Jorge Mateo is ranked as the best Yankees prospect overall and the best shortstop in the system to some but to others Garcia will be the better of the two when all the dust is settled. You don't take a talent like Garcia and move him off the shortstop position unless you absolutely have to, and you shouldn't have to if you're the Yankees.

TGP Prospects Month Top 29 Prospect List - #8 Wilkerman Garcia

Now that we are in the Top 10 of our Top 29 Prospects List countdown that technically turned into a Top 30 just because we are starting to really showcase some of the top notch talent hidden in the Yankees farm system. The Yankees have arms, the Yankees have outfielders, catchers and they have recently began stockpiling middle infield talent. Some of that middle infield talent will be on display today with our #8 prospect on our list, Wilkerman Garcia.

Garcia joins an impressive group of middle infielders in the Yankees upper levels including Jorge Mateo, Abi Avelino, Tyler Wade, Angel Anguilar and Thairo Estrada and Garcia may eventually be the best of the bunch. Yes, better than Mateo eventually. It's already thought that Garcia will be the better offensive player of the two while the defense is up for grabs and the speed belongs to Mateo. Garcia began the season in the Dominican Summer League and ended up with the Gulf Coast Yankees where a hamstring injury derailed much of his 2015 campaign. Garcia, 17-years old, has plenty of years of development left to make up for the injury though thankfully.

Garcia is average to above average at every single "tool" scouts judge on and he especially opened eyes on his speed and offensive game. With a strong spring and beginning to 2016 Garcia could find himself in Staten Island with the SI Yankees and may end up with the Low-A Charleston Riverdogs or even the High-A Tampa Yankees by season's end. Garcia is an awfully long way away but he is a prospect I am going to salivate over for the next three or so seasons regardless.

8. Wilkerman Garcia
9. Ian Clarkin
10. Brady Lail
11. Jacob Lindgren
12. Bryan Mitchell
13. Drew Finley
14. Mason Williams
15. Slade Heathcott
16. Abi Avelino
17. Hoy-Jun Park
18. Luis Torrens
19. Cale Coshow
20. Chance Adams
21. Miguel Andujar
22. Jonathan Holder
23. Tyler Wade
24. Nick Rumbelow
25.Jordan Montgomery
26.Trey Amburgey
27. Ben Gamel
28. Austin DeCarr
29. Thairo Estrada
30. James Pazos

Quick Hit: Prospects That Could Change the System

The New York Yankees had a good season overall in 2015 both on the field in the Bronx and across their various systems down in their farm system. Pulaski made the playoffs in their inaugural season and Staten Island won their division while players like Jorge Mateo, Gary Sanchez and others made huge strides. Domingo Acevedo became a household name in many Yankees households and Wilkerman Garcia is on the outside looking in at many of those same households. Who fits that mold entering the 2016 season?

Jorge Mateo made the list last season and he makes the list again this season. Mateo has dominated the short season leagues in the minor leagues but what about the full season leagues and affiliates? How will Mateo hold up when he reaches Double-A Trenton and how will he hold up when he reaches Triple-A and potentially the Major Leagues? If he proves he can hold up over the course of a full season, a real full season, he will be the #1 prospect hands down maybe not only for the Yankees but possibly in the major leagues. Yeah, I said it.

The combination of Ben Gamel, Slade Heathcott and Mason Williams are all on the 40 man roster and are all primed to make a big impact on the big league Yankees if and when an injury occurs. All three have had issues staying healthy in their own terms but all could be breakout candidates in 2016 as well.

The final piece is James Kaprielian. The Yankees have shown they can turn "failed" starters into great relief pitchers and the team has shown, especially recently, that they can produce positional players. The team is loaded down with catchers, shortstops and outfielders but one thing the team lacks is starting pitching. Sure they brought Luis Severino through the system but he was an International signing, Kaprielian was drafted and came through the system. If he can reach the majors and do well it may be the turnaround for the Yankees system as far as perception goes.

2015 Prospects: What Went Right & What Didn't

The New York Yankees system as a whole had a great season in 2015 and this was no more evident than when the likes of Greg Bird and Luis Severino came up and made huge impacts with the club last season. Bird and Severino were talked about a ton in 2015 but there was a lot that went right with the system as a whole last year that wasn't talked about. Also, admittedly, there was some that went wrong as well last season which we will also showcase here. 

So it's a "do you want the good news or the bad news?" type question and usually everyone goes with the bad news first so we will too. What went wrong?

• Miguel Andujar was expected to have a breakout season like Jorge Mateo did last year and he didn't. Andujar continued to strikeout far too much in High-A with the  Tampa Yankees and the 20-year old once again seems plagued by the slow start. See Mark Teixeira for much of his tenure with the Yankees. 

• Gosuke Katoh was expected to make big strides in 2015 as well and he just fell short of that last season unfortunately. Katoh did well at Pulaski but I believe he was too advanced in his development there. Unfortunately he proved that when he reached Charleston with the Riverdogs. 

• The final disappointment last season was Drew Bridges who could have made a push for out Top 29 Prospects List if he had played another position. Bridges had some great production in 2015 and started out well in the short-season leagues but he struggled once he hit Staten Island. As a third baseman hitting just .211 at third base for the Staten Island Yankees is not going to cut it. Not now and not next season either. 

Alright the bad news wasn't THAT bad, so what's the good news?

• Jorge Mateo went from the outside of many Top 50 and Top 100 prospects lists and is now a staple on all of them. Mateo stole 82 bases last season between two A-Ball levels and may have stolen 100 if he was not injured at the end of the season. His defense is strong and his offense is coming around. 

• Speaking of top Yankees shortstops what about Wilkerman Garcia at age 17? Not many knew the name Wilkerman Garcia last season but this season I have seen him place on many Top Prospects lists and has even been named the next big thing in the Yankees system. Some even think that Garcia is and will be better than Mateo and that's quite the compliment. 

• The final thing that went right was Domingo Acevedo who took the biggest strides in 2015. Acevedo won the New York-Penn League Pitcher of the Year Award and was sent to the Arizona Fall League  where he showcased his 100+ MPH fastball in both levels. He could see two or even three levels in 2016 as he looks to be on the fast track to the Major Leagues. 

Baseball America Releases Top 10 Yankees Prospects

Baseball America has been releasing their Top 10 Prospects for every team around Major League Baseball and this morning it was the Yankees turn. The Yankees have seen some changes to their prospects and organization over the past calendar year as Greg Bird and Luis Severino both graduated from prospect status while James Kaprielian and Kyle Holder were added via the draft. Luis Cessa and Chad Green were added via trades from the Detroit Tigers and Ronald Herrera was added from the San Diego Padres organization in the Jose Pirela trade. Did any of them make the cut for Baseball America?

You'll have to click HERE to see the entire list and write ups from Baseball America but you can see below for a small snippet. Thanks to Josh Norris for the list.

1. Jorge Mateo
2. Gary Sanchez
3. Aaron Judge
4. James Kaprielian
5. Domingo Acevedo
6. Rookie Davis
7. Tyler Wade
8. Robert Refsnyder
9. Wilkerman Garcia
10. Dustin Fowler

Most Popular Article of the Week: 2015 Postseason Yankees Farm System Top 30 Rankings

by: Ben Embry (guest contributor from The Bronx Empire)

The Yankees farm system had a terrific year in 2015. Luis Severino forced his way to the Majors and met even the most optimistic fans' expectations. Greg Bird similarly arrived in the Bronx and quite possibly Wally Pipp'ed the team's All Star 1B stalwart Mark Teixeira, (ok probably not but on a team more progressive than the Yankees it might be possible). Slade Heathcott, Mason Williams, Rob Refsnyder and other prospects all gave the team strong contributions. The future is bright. Ironically this will result in the farm system being ranked lower next year than it did at the beginning of 2015 because Severino and Bird graduated due to their service time in August and September.  This just goes to show: farm system rankings aren't the end-all-be-all.

First, before the rankings I have a disclosure: I am not a scout. I do not communicate directly with scouts. I do not regularly watch the prospects in person, on television, or on the Internet. My opinions are informed by websites and publications such as Baseball America, Fangraphs, and ESPN.com and interactions with fans and writers on social media. I am simply a fan who is expressing his opinion; take it for what it's worth.

Ok, here are the Yankees' top 30 prospects:

Rank	Name	POS
1	Aaron Judge	RF
2	Jorge Mateo	SS
3	Gary Sanchez	C
4	James Kaprielian	SP
5	Wilkerman Garcia	SS/3B
6	Domingo Acevedo	SP
7	Jacob Lindgren	RP
8	Rob Refsnyder	2B/LF
9	Eric Jagielo	3B/1B
10	Rookie Davis	SP
11	Tyler Wade	SS
12	Ian Clarkin	SP
13	Hoy-Jun Park	SS
14	Miguel Andujar	3B
15	Abiatal Avelino	SS/2B
16	Luis Torrens	C
17	Jake Cave	CF
18	Mason Williams	CF
19	Brady Lail	SP
20	Angel Aguilar	SS/3B
21	Slade Heathcott	CF
22	Drew Finley	SP
23	Domingo German	SP
24	Dustin Fowler	CF/RF
25	Austin DeCarr	SP
26	Juan de Leon	CF/RF
27	Dermis Garcia	3B
28	Leonardo Molina	CF
29	Thairo Estrada	SS
30	Nelson Gomez	3B

Let's compare the last list to this one.  First, players who were in the previous rankings but not this one, (including previous ranking):

1. Luis Severino (graduated)
4. Greg Bird (graduated)
22. Kyle Holder (out of top 30)

And now, the players who were not in the previous ranking but are now in this one, (including current ranking):

5. Wilkerman Garcia
14. Hoy Jun-Park
30. Nelson Gomez

For those who like deep dives, here's a top 30 hitters list:

Rank	Player	Position	Born
1	Aaron Judge	RF	1992
2	Jorge Mateo	SS	1995
3	Gary Sanchez	C	1992
4	Wilkerman Garcia	SS/3B	1998
5	Rob Refsnyder	2B/LF	1991
6	Eric Jagielo	3B/1B	1992
7	Tyler Wade	SS	1994
8	Hoy-Jun Park	SS	1996
9	Miguel Andujar	3B	1995
10	Abiatal Avelino	SS/2B	1995
11	Luis Torrens	C	1996
12	Jake Cave	CF	1992
13	Mason Williams	CF	1991
14	Angel Aguilar	SS/3B	1995
15	Slade Heathcott	CF	1990
16	Dustin Fowler	CF/RF	1994
17	Juan de Leon	CF/RF	1998
18	Dermis Garcia	3B	1998
19	Leonardo Molina	CF	1997
20	Thairo Estrada	SS	1996
21	Nelson Gomez	3B	1997
22	Jhalan Jackson	OF	1993
23	Kyle Holder	SS	1994
24	Tyler Austin	RF/1B	1991
25	Ben Gamel	RF	1992
26	Miguel Flames	C/3B	1997
27	Diego Castillo	SS/2B	1997
28	Trey Amburgey	OF	1994
29	Alexander Palma	RF	1995
30	Tony Renda	2B	1991

And now, the pitchers:

Rank	Player	Position	Born
1	James Kaprielian	SP	1994
2	Domingo Acevedo	SP	1994
3	Jacob Lindgren	RP	1993
4	Rookie Davis	SP	1993
5	Ian Clarkin	SP	1995
6	Brady Lail	SP	1993
7	Drew Finley	SP	1996
8	Domingo German	SP	1992
9	Austin DeCarr	SP	1995
10	Jordan Montgomery	SP	1992
11	Cale Coshow	SP/RP	1992
12	Jonathan Holder	SP	1993
13	Jeff Degano	SP	1992
14	Simon de la Rosa	SP	1993
15	Ty Hensley	SP	1993
16	Vicente Campos	SP/RP	1992
17	Nick Rumbelow	RP	1991
18	Nick Goody	RP	1991
19	James Pazos	RP	1991
20	Josh Rogers	SP	1994
21	Tyler Webb	RP	1990
22	Gilmael Troya	SP/RP	1997
23	Alexander Vargas	SP	1997
24	Johnny Barbato	RP	1992
25	Luis Cedeno	SP/RP	1994
26	Jordan Foley	SP/RP	1993
27	Chance Adams	RP	1994
28	Miguel Sulbaran	SP/RP	1994
29	Chaz Hebert	SP	1992
30	Caleb Smith	SP/RP	1991

Well, let me know what you think. My Twitter handle is @thebronxempire and my email is bembry24@gmail.com. I'll update the list this fall after the season. Ok, have a good day!