Yankees Top Prospects

Minor League Ball's John Sickel reviewed the New York Yankees Top 20 Prospects for 2009. Although this list comes with a caution that it is extremely preliminary, I figured I'd post it here with some of my comments preceding the list:

Comments:

1) This group is very, very strong on pitchers. I like this strategy. Loading up on pitchers has allowed the Yankees to be a little more aggressive on the trade front and still allow themselves some cushion. Some of these will end up being valuable bullpen arms for the Yankees in 2009 and 2010 and others may even get rotation spots

2) This group is very, very light on position players. The Yankees are set at many positions for the near future, but they could use some depth in case of injury. Austin Jackson seems to be the position player who may make the most impact on the Yankees with a glaring hole in CF. But he may still be a year away. Yet, with Nady, Damon and Matsui only signed through this year, CF may not be their only open OF position next season.

3) Who can help the Yankees in 2009? Phil Coke was superb for them at the end of 2008 coming out of the bullpen. He goes into spring training as a starter, but this makes sense as he needs to 1) build up arm strength and 2) have the ultimate goal of possibly starting. Mark Melancon could be a huge pen arm for them this year if he can continue to mature as a pitcher and keep his walks down. David Robertson and Jon Albaladejo were both in the bullpen at points last year and both should be part of the interchangeable bullpen arms. I like Robertson a lot and maybe with some more experience, he can develop into a reliable late-inning guy. Humberto Sanchez was acquired in the Gary Sheffield deal and if he can stay healthy, he could be another one of those pen arms. Alfredo Aceves I talked about in a past post: I believe this guy, if used correctly, could be another Ramiro Mendoza-type. He was excellent as a starter in his short stint at the end of last season and I think can be a very effective #5 starter or spot starter/long man. Brett Gardner is in the "other" section but should compete for the CF job out of spring training and may be a better choice than Melky Cabrera for that job.

4) What other prospects intrigue me? Montero, though I want to know where he fits in now that they have a 1B signed for 8 years. Austin Jackson, as mentioned before, will need to continue to develop in 2009 so that he's ready for the bigs in '10. Dellin Betances and Andrew Brackman both need to stay healthy and hone their control...but if they do, they may be helping the Yankees out as early as September 2009. They may have the highest ceilings of the pitchers. Eduardo Sosa is an intriguing prospect and one I will definitely be following in 2009. With Jose Tabata dealt in the Xavier Nady deal, Sosa may have the highest ceiling of any Yankees outfield prospect (I argue Jackson, but some disagree).

5) The Yankees will lose some draft picks because of their free agent signings, but they will have some others because of picks they did not sign last year. Their focus should be on position players. The Yankees have been fielding older teams for a while now and when injuries inevitably come, the backups need to be a little more capable than some they've brought up/grabbed off the scrap heap recently. The Yankees can pay to go over slot for draft picks but still need to take a more focused approach a la the Red Sox who seem to have a Masters in this area.

1) Jesus Montero, C, Grade B+: I believe in the bat. Where he fits with the glove I don’t know.

2) Austin Jackson, OF, Grade B: Should be a solid player but not a star. Will that be enough in New York?

3) Dellin Betances, RHP, Grade B-: Very high ceiling, has flashed dominance, can he stay healthy?

4) Austin Romine, C, Grade B-: More likely to stick behind the plate than Montero, though not as good a hitter.

5) Zach McAllister, RHP, Grade B-: A favorite of mine heading into 2008, looks like a strong inning-eater type.

6) Mark Melancon, RHP, Grade B-: Almost ready for major league action, should be good in pen and has closer potential.

7) Jairo Heredia, RHP, Grade B-: Looks like a major sleeper to me, and this is an aggressive ranking.

8) Andrew Brackman, RHP, Grade C+: Yankees propaganda is thick around this guy. Great arm, healthy now, but I don’t buy into the command yet. Want to see evidence.

9) Phil Coke, LHP, Grade C+: I like what he did a lot last year. Should be a very useful pitcher.

10) Alfredo Aceves, RHP, Grade C+: Has reached his ceiling, but like Coke he should be useful

11) Wilkins de la Rosa, LHP, Grade C+: Intriguing power lefty with a fresh arm.

12) Humberto Sanchez, RHP, Grade C+: Another power arm for the pen, command problems still an issue.

13) Jon Albaladejo, RHP, Grade C+: Another solid pen arm if healthy.

14) David Robertson, RHP, Grade C+: Yet another pen arm. ERA should have been closer to 4.00 based on the components. Hasn’t pitched 50 innings yet so he qualifies.

15) Brad Suttle, 3B, Grade C+: Will need to show enough power for third base.

16) Arodys Vizcaino, RHP, Grade C+: Very young, could rank in the top 10 next year if he develops properly.

17) Christian Garcia, RHP, Grade C+: Another promising power arm if healthy.

18) George Kontos, RHP, Grade C+: Will need more consistent command.

19) Kanekoa Texeira, RHP, Grade C+: Power sinker/slider guy acquired in Swisher deal, yet another pen option.

20) Eduardo Sosa, OF, Grade C+: Very high ceiling guy, but need some North American data. Could rank as high as 8 depending on criteria and how much you trust DSL performance.

21) Eric Hacker, RHP, Grade C+: Surprise addition to 40-man roster, nice track record but injury-prone, fifth starter type when healthy.

Others: David Adams, 2B; Manuel Banuelos, LHP; Jeremy Bleich, LHP: Frank Cervelli, C; Kelvin De Leon, OF; Mike Dunn, LHP; Brett Gardner, OF; Alan Horne, RHP: Corban Joseph, 2B; Brett Marshall, RHP; D.J. Mitchell, RHP; David Phelps, RHP; Ryan Pope, RHP; Matt Richardson, RHP; Damon Sublett, 2B; Pat Venditte, RHP-LHP; Kevin Whelan, RHP.