Below is an analysis of the prospects in the farm system of the New York Yankees. Scouting reports are compiled with information provided by industry sources as well as from our own (both Eric Longenhagen’s and Kiley McDaniel’s) observations. For more information on the 20-80 scouting scale by which all of our prospect content is governed you can click here. For further explanation of the merits and drawbacks of Future Value, read this.

Top Prospects Series 2018 2017 AL BAL CHW HOU BOS CLE LAA NYY DET OAK TBR KCR SEA TOR MIN TEX NL ATL CHC ARI MIA CIN COL NYM MIL LAD PHI PIT SDP WSN STL SFG AL BAL CHW HOU BOS CLE LAA NYY DET OAK TBR KCR SEA TOR MIN TEX NL ATL CHC ARI MIA CIN COL NYM MIL LAD PHI PIT SDP WSN STL SFG

60 FV Prospects

Signed: July 2nd Period, 2013 from Venezuela Age 20 Height 6’1 Weight 175 Bat/Throw R/R Tool Grades (Present/Future) Hit Raw Power Game Power Run Fielding Throw 40/55 55/60 40/55 50/40 40/50 55/55

Torres was seen as one of the top two players in his July 2nd class (along with fellow top-100 prospect, White Sox RF Eloy Jimenez), profiling as the prototypical Venezuelan shortstop, featuring advanced feel for all aspects but no flashy plus tool. He’s developed largely as expected, no small feat for a celebrated 15-year-old, with his physicality and game power the biggest change in the last few years. Some scouts have wondered if he fits better at second or third base long-term, but Torres’s bat will profile anywhere in the dirt, and he’s big-league ready once he’s fully recovered from last June’s Tommy John surgery.

Signed: July 2nd Period, 2011 from Dominican Republic Age 22 Height 6’0 Weight 215 Bat/Throw R/R Tool Grades (Present/Future) Hit Raw Power Game Power Run Fielding Throw 45/55 60/60 45/55 55/50 45/55 70/70

Andujar has tantalized scouts since early in his pro career with a strong, athletic frame and flashy tools that are above average to plus across the board. He was largely seen as potential, even passed over by all 30 teams in the Rule 5 Draft following the 2015 season. He broke out in a huge way in 2017, reaching a critical mass of adjustments and maturity that showed up in the counting stats.

Andujar has cut down on his swing-and-miss while also lifting the ball more and hitting it with more authority, an obviously rare and desirable combination when you’re already working with a toolsy prospect who was always young for his level. There are still some lingering maturity questions and mental lapses on defense, but that didn’t stop the Pirates and other clubs from demanding Andujar in recent trade talks with the Yankees, who refused to discuss him.

55 FV Prospects

Drafted: 1st Round, 2014 from Tullahoma HS (TN) Age 21 Height 5’11 Weight 200 Bat/Throw L/L Tool Grades (Present/Future) Fastball Slider Changeup Command 60/60 60/60 50/55 45/50

Sheffield’s always solid stuff was up in the Arizona Fall League. He was reaching 97 in the desert, sitting 93-95 mph for much of his starts and locating all three of his pitches. Sheffield’s mid-80s slider (which is relatively new, the Tennessee native having thrown a curveball in high school) is plus, and he sequences and locates it well. It’s become a back-foot weapon against right-handed hitters, but Sheffield’s upper-80s changeup has enough movement to miss righty bats, too. He’s a likely mid-rotation starter and should reach the majors at some point this year after being acquired from Cleveland in the Andrew Miller deal.

50 FV Prospects

Signed: July 2nd Period, 2013 from Dominican Republic Age 21 Height 6’2 Weight 175 Bat/Throw R/R Tool Grades (Present/Future) Fastball Curveball Changeup Command 65/65 55/60 55/65 40/45

Acquired from Houston in the Brian McCann deal, Abreu’s electric stuff should allow to play some kind of significant big-league role even if he fails to develop starter’s command. He sits 95-98 and touches 100 mph with his fastball while also showing an occasionally plus breaking ball and plus-plus changeup. He’s an excellent candidate for multi-inning relief, at least, and could be much more if his command develops.

Signed: July 2nd Period, 2014 from Haiti Age 19 Height 6’1 Weight 185 Bat/Throw L/R Tool Grades (Present/Future) Hit Raw Power Game Power Run Fielding Throw 20/40 60/60 30/55 60/60 40/50 60/60

Florial had an unusual start to his pro career. After discrepancies were found in his paperwork — he was born in Haiti but had assumed a different name as a child in the Dominican — he received a one-year suspension from Major League Baseball. He also received only a $200,000 bonus despite having exhibited the sort of talent more commonly associated with a seven-figure bonus. Credit the Yankees for staying on top of Florial and pouncing once his suspension was over, as his three plus tools (raw power, speed, and arm strength) are quickly obvious even to amateur observers.

The only question regarding Florial is his contact ability, as he will show scouts extremely varied looks. Some think he’ll get to his power but just with plenty of swing-and-miss, while others question if he’ll ever make enough contact to be an everyday player. Still others think he may be the rare player with plus tools across the board. No one disputes the sky-high ceiling, and the Yankees have rebuffed many efforts of other clubs to trade for Florial, but the variance in his possible outcomes may be the widest among any hitter on this list.

Signed: July 2nd Period, 2015 from Dominican Republic Age 21 Height 6’8 Weight 190 Bat/Throw R/R Tool Grades (Present/Future) Fastball Slider Changeup Command 50/55 45/50 50/55 40/50

Perez was signed for $10,000 at a tryout camp as a 6-foot-8 righty who could repeat his delivery and was up to 91 mph when the Yankees were flush with roster spots. He’s progressed a lot since then, showing three average or better pitches and projecting for average command — in other words, a roughly league-average starter package. He obviously generates great plane given his height, so the sinker is the meal ticket here, along with a changeup that is his second-best pitch. Perez is still growing into his frame, so the stuff could still improve from here.

Signed: July 2nd Period, 2015 from Dominican Republic Age 18 Height 6’1 Weight 175 Bat/Throw R/R Tool Grades (Present/Future) Fastball Slider Changeup Command 60/65 55/60 45/55 35/45

Medina joins Florial as a player with enormous variance in his projection. Given that Medina is a pitcher with some effort who has yet to reach full-season ball, he probably even surpasses Florial by that measure. In the last week, Medina sat 96-98 and hit 99 mph, flashing an easy plus slider and changeup that flashed above average. He threw 22 of 27 pitches for strikes, which is especially encouraging, as Medina showed 20 command at times as an amateur and at times last summer in pro ball. With a chance for three plus pitches and possibly two 70s, there’s obvious frontline potential. Even average control with electric stuff helps approach average command, but quality strikes are obviously a focus in his development.

Medina was a known amateur prospect whom I saw throw twice, hitting 96 mph with 20 command both times, with concerns he may have been on steroids drying up his market. One international scouting director who’d just had Medina in for a workout asked me just after July 2nd if he should sign the right-hander for $200K or if the rumors were true. In the end, Medina passed multiple MLB-administered tests and eventually hit 100 mph afterwards, so the Yankees were pleased to roll the dice on a rare arm. The keys going forward for Medina are to keep his adrenaline under control and focus on developing starter traits rather than blowing stuff past low-level hitters; he may be the player I most anticipate seeing this spring.

45 FV Prospects

Drafted: 5th Round, 2015 from Dallas Baptist Age 22 Height 6’1 Weight 210 Bat/Throw R/R Tool Grades (Present/Future) Fastball Slider Curveball Changeup Command 55/55 50/55 45/50 45/50 45/50

Adams was a classic find by the amateur scouting staff, who’ve had had success in identifying traits they like in a reliever at a school with a TrackMan unit (in this case, Dallas Baptist) and then converting those characteristics into a real starting pitching prospect. Adams’ stuff backed up a tick in 2017 to more solid-average across the board, so he’s more of a late-inning reliever or back-end starter than an impact arm, but it’s still found money given where he was drafted. Adams’ fastball and slider still play above average, particularly in relief, hence why he could be worked into the big leagues in that role, but his curveball is average, his changeup flashes average, and there’s enough command to start, so he could fill almost any role on a big-league staff.

Drafted: 1st Round, 2015 from UC Santa Barbara Age 23 Height 6’2 Weight 195 Bat/Throw R/R Tool Grades (Present/Future) Fastball Slider Changeup Command 55/55 55/55 50/55 40/45

Tate has taken a circuitous route to this point. He started as a a super-athletic, loose reliever at UC Santa Barbara, but then blew scouts away for Team USA and became a first-round prospect. He started for the first time in college during his draft spring and flashed top-five-pick potential with three pluses and usable command, then tailed off late as he fatigued. Texas believed in the upside and selected Tate fourth overall, anyway.

Once in pro ball, Tate’s velo dipped and his stock dropped. Then the Rangers traded him to the Yankees, his velo slowly came back, and now he’s flashing three above-average to plus pitches again. The command is still just fringey and he may fit best in a short-stint/swing-reliever role where he can max out and only go through the lineup once, but there’s a big-league future for a guy with stuff like this, especially in today’s game.

Signed: July 2nd Period, 2012 from Dominican Republic Age 23 Height 6’7 Weight 250 Bat/Throw R/R Tool Grades (Present/Future) Fastball Slider Changeup Command 55/60 45/50 50/55 45/50

Acevedo is a massive 6-foot-7, 250 pounds and didn’t show many starter traits earlier in his career, with fringey offspeed and below-average command, but he’s made progress in recent years and got to Triple-A at the end of 2017. His changeup is now consistently above average, his slider is flashing average with some regularity, and his fastball is still plus, sitting 94-97 and hitting 100 mph. There isn’t anything plus other than the heater, so the impact is more back-end or middle relief, but Acevedo is near big-league ready and it isn’t hard to find a spot for a giant with a triple-digits fastball he can command.

Signed: July 2nd Period, 2013 from Venezuela Age 21 Height 5’10 Weight 185 Bat/Throw R/R Tool Grades (Present/Future) Hit Raw Power Game Power Run Fielding Throw 45/55 45/45 30/40 60/55 45/50 55/55

One Yankees official compared Estrada to Martin Prado and that’s a best-case scenario outcome, but lots of the same elements are in place. Estrada has above-average contact skills, above-average to plus speed, can play any position on the field, and has excellent feel for the game. The power isn’t impact, but we’ve obviously heard that in the minors about some present big-league power hitters, and it’s always been the last tool to develop for most hitters.

Signed: July 2nd Period, 2012 from Nicaragua Age 23 Height 5’11 Weight 165 Bat/Throw R/R Tool Grades (Present/Future) Fastball Curveball Changeup Command 60/65 55/60 45/50 40/50

Loaisiga was released by the Giants in 2013 and was discovered by Yankees scout Ricardo Finol at the 23U World Championships pitching for Nicaragua. Since Loaisiga originally signed in 2012, the Yankees were forced to make a 40-man decision on him after only 12 appearances at the Short-Season level. The results were loud enough that he was added to the 40-man since he likely would’ve been taken in the Rule 5 Draft.

Loaisiga sits 94-96, touching 98 mph along with an easy plus curveball and changeup that flashes average. His command also projects to average but his slight 5-foot-11 frame suggest a bullpen future where he can focus on his two plus offerings and get to the big leagues faster since he’s taking up a precious 40-man spot.

40 FV Prospects

Signed: July 2nd Period, 2009 from Dominican Republic Age 24 Height 6’2 Weight 175 Bat/Throw R/R Tool Grades (Present/Future) Fastball Curveball Changeup Command 55/60 60/65 45/50 40/45

German was acquired from the Marlins in the Martin Prado deal but had Tommy John surgery, missing the 2015 season. He’s all the way back now health-wise and still shows two pluses in his heater and curveball, along with at least an average changeup. He’s a control-over-command type who will probably play better in short stints, but the Yankees are trying to develop him as a starter since the stuff is there.

Signed: July 2nd Period, 2016 from Dominican Republic Age 18 Height 5’11 Weight 185 Bat/Throw R/R Tool Grades (Present/Future) Hit Raw Power Game Power Run Fielding Throw 20/55 55/60 20/55 55/55 45/50 50/50

Duran is the only player on this list or anywhere close to it whose name I didn’t know until I started the process of making calls. He just got to America for the first time this month, so some Yankees staff members aren’t even that familiar with him. Nevertheless, he’s made some noise in March, including hitting an opposite-field homer at 109 mph in a spring training game. He’s posted some exit velos up to 112 mph in the Dominican and projects for above-average to plus game power, as his feel for hitting is also advanced. Of course, there’s obviously some risk in making a confident projection based on one summer in the DSL and a handful of spring-training games.

Duran was a mid-six-figure prospect whom the Yankees scooped up last year for $10,000 because he failed to register with MLB and fell off the radar of many teams as they quickly spent their bonus pools. Every tool is average or better and second base is the best fit long-term, so you can almost scout the stat line with this kid — if he keeps performing, all the underlying stuff is there. Duran is second behind Medina for Yankee prospect on whom I most want to put eyes ASAP.

Drafted: 2nd Round, 2017 from Righetti HS (CA) Age 18 Height 6’4 Weight 195 Bat/Throw R/R Tool Grades (Present/Future) Fastball Curveball Changeup Command 55/65 50/55 40/50 35/45

Sauer had a velo spike last spring and turned into a first-round talent who caught the eyes of more progressive clubs due to his arm strength, present breaking ball, and elite athleticism. The Yankees paid him first-round money in the second round (part of it saved from the underslot deal with Schmidt in the first) to get him past some of those interested clubs. Some teams weren’t especially interested in Sauer since they saw a raw prep arm with head violence who looked like a reliever. The Yankees, on the other hand, saw a premium athlete with rare arm talent who they can mold into a mid-rotation starter or late-inning weapon. Developing starter traits and staying healthy will be the keys to watch going forward.

Drafted: 1st Round, 2013 from Plano West HS (TX) Age 22 Height 6’1 Weight 205 Bat/Throw L/L Tool Grades (Present/Future) Hit Raw Power Game Power Run Fielding Throw 45/55 55/55 40/50 50/45 45/50 40/40

McKinney was acquired from the Cubs in the Aroldis Chapman deal and has made offensive progress with the Yankees’ player-development staff. He’s always been a left-field profile who needs to hit and hit for power to be an everyday player, and the power showed up in 2017 after a dramatic swing change took, allowing McKinney to lift the ball much more often. It’s still not a sexy or high-upside profile, but McKinney now has the offense to become a player like Ben Gamel (a former Yankee himself) was last year for the Mariners.

Drafted: 1st Round, 2017 from South Carolina Age 22 Height 6’1 Weight 205 Bat/Throw R/R Tool Grades (Present/Future) Fastball Slider Curveball Changeup Command 50/55 55/55 50/55 45/55 40/50

Schmidt was a first-rounder last summer out of South Carolina but signed an underslot bonus after having just undergone Tommy John surgery in April. He projected for the middle to late first round before that, flashing four 55-grade pitches and the average command necessary to start. He’ll likely return late in the summer or in fall instructs. If the stuff comes all the way back, he’ll likely move up to a 45 FV prospect with any level of success in game situations.

Drafted: 22nd Round, 2015 from Southern Mississippi Age 24 Height 6’5 Weight 210 Bat/Throw R/R Tool Grades (Present/Future) Fastball Slider Changeup Command 65/70 55/60 40/45 40/45

Carroll was a 22nd-rounder in 2015 out of Southern Miss who had average stuff and a Tommy John surgery in his past. He took off, though, when placed in the bullpen full-time in 2017, sitting 95-98 and hitting 100 mph. With the new arm speed, his slider now flashes plus, along with a fringy changeup. Given Carroll’s size, arm speed, and role, it’s not surprising that his command is fringey, but he’s close to big-league ready after 47.1 successful innings in Double-A in 2017.

Signed: July 2nd Period, 2014 from Dominican Republic Age 19 Height 6’3 Weight 200 Bat/Throw R/R Tool Grades (Present/Future) Hit Raw Power Game Power Run Fielding Throw 20/40 70/80 30/60 40/30 40/50 60/60

Garcia was one of the top signees in the Yankees’ pool-busting 2014 July 2nd class, and the carrying tool as an amateur — easy plus-plus raw power — is still present. He’s getting to it in games, hitting 17 homers in 266 PA last summer, meaning that his ability to make contact is now the deciding variable in his offensive profile. He’s played some third base and has a plus arm but likely moves to first sooner than later.

Signed: July 2nd Period, 2015 from Dominican Republic Age 18 Height 5’10 Weight 163 Bat/Throw R/R Tool Grades (Present/Future) Fastball Curveball Changeup Command 55/60 55/60 40/45 40/45

Garcia is limited in some ways — he’s only 5-foot-10 and slightly built — but he’s come on the last year, now flashing two plus pitches and gaudy stats along with an outside chance to be a starter. It’s similar to former Brewers RHP Marcos Diplan, who drew a $1.5 million bonus as an amateur, so this is another instance of value created by the international-scouting and player-development groups for the Yankees, who signed Garcia for $200,000 when they were in the penalty box and limited to bonuses of $300,000 or lower for the full signing period.

Drafted: 3rd Round, 2016 from Culver City HS (CA) Age 19 Height 6’2 Weight 165 Bat/Throw R/R Tool Grades (Present/Future) Fastball Curveball Changeup Command 50/55 50/55 40/50 40/50

Martinez was a popular projection arm for TrackMan-oriented clubs in the 2016 draft due to his high spin rates and ultra-projectable frame. Some worried that his frame was too slight — and Martinez did have a number of minor injuries in 2017 — so the Yankees played it safe and really limited his innings until everything was just right. If Martinez can fill out his frame a little more and stay healthy, there’s a chance for two plus pitches in a starter’s role, so there’s still lots of upside, but he’s now a wait-and-see projection arm, as the pro track record is very limited.

Drafted: 7th Round, 2008 from Edison HS (CA) Age 27 Height 6’1 Weight 200 Bat/Throw R/R Tool Grades (Present/Future) Hit Raw Power Game Power Run Fielding Throw 45/50 55/55 45/50 30/30 45/50 40/40

Higashioka has had some injury issues and fits with Tyler Austin and Mike Ford as a nearly big-league ready bench piece. Higashioka has less power than Austin but more contact skills, along with a chance to contribute as a catcher. His arm is below average and he’s just an okay receiver, but if he can be a 50 bat with 50 game power, fringey defense is plenty and, with the DH, an AL club could keep his bat in the lineup.

Age 24 Height 6’0 Weight 225 Bat/Throw L/R Tool Grades (Present/Future) Hit Raw Power Game Power Run Fielding Throw 45/50 55/55 45/55 30/30 50/50 55/55

Ford went undrafted out of Princeton despite being named both Ivy League Pitcher of the Year and Player of the Year as a junior, so the fact that he’s going to wear a major-league uniform at all is incredible. That said, Ford may have to wait until 2019: the Mariners just returned him to the Yankees after selecting him in the Rule 5 Draft in December.

Ford is a long-time statistical performer, with more career walks than strikeouts in five pro seasons. As a first-base-only prospect, he needs to hit a ton to stick in the big leagues. He has excellent ball/strike and breaking-ball recognition and tracks pitches well. He has just enough raw power for his position; his swing has natural loft and he taps into most of what he’s got. Scouts think he can be beaten with velocity up in the zone, but he’s an otherwise solid offensive player whose pure physical talent may fit best in a platoon/bench role.

Drafted: 13th Round, 2010 from Heritage HS (GA) Age 25 Height 6’2 Weight 220 Bat/Throw R/R Tool Grades (Present/Future) Hit Raw Power Game Power Run Fielding Throw 35/40 65/65 50/60 30/30 45/50 50/50

Austin’s prospect value has been all over the map. Starting as a little-known high-school draftee, he’s also been regarded as a top-100 prospect and afterthought with injury issues caught in prospect limbo. He’s settled in as a guy who projects to be a power-over-hit first baseman, DH, and occasional corner-outfield contributor, with some risk on his health and contact ability. The game power is the separator here, as he’s already shown a 60 for stretches.

Drafted: 22nd Round, 2013 from Olivet Nazarene Age 25 Height 6’3 Weight 205 Bat/Throw R/R Tool Grades (Present/Future) Fastball Slider Changeup Command 60/60 50/55 50/55 40/50

Heller was acquired from Cleveland in the Andrew Miller deal and he’s already made a couple big-league appearances. He works 94-96, touching 99 mph, but some scouts think the pitch is a little more hittable than the velocity indicates. There’s some effort to the delivery and Heller’s command is fringey to average. He has an above-average slider and changeup, though, so there’s plenty of weapons to get hitters out when he uses them efficiently, but in more of a middle-relief role.

Signed: July 2nd Period, 2015 from Venezuela Age 18 Height 5’10 Weight 145 Bat/Throw S/R Tool Grades (Present/Future) Hit Raw Power Game Power Run Fielding Throw 20/55 40/45 20/40 50/50 45/50 50/50

Cabrera has some similarities to Thairo Estrada but is a poor man’s verison. Cabrera has advanced feel to hit, not much power, and the ability to play both positions up the middle. The difference is that Cabrera is more of an average second baseman who’s an emergency fill-in at shortstop, with average speed and a little less power than Estrada. It’s a utility profile but with good odds given the advanced bat and feel for the game.

Drafted: 3rd Round, 2017 from Arkansas Age 21 Height 6’4 Weight 210 Bat/Throw R/R Tool Grades (Present/Future) Fastball Slider Changeup Command 55/60 45/50 40/45 40/50

Stephan has a 93-95 mph fastball, topping out at 96, that he delivers from a low-three-quarter slot with excellent extension and life. He commands this pitch well and will likely succeed purely on that plus offering in the lower levels. His slider flashes average, his changeup is somewhere around there, and how those pitches come along will dictate if he’s a solid seventh-inning reliever or back-end starter.

Other Prospects of Note

I’m separating the Others of Note by group and then ranking them within each group so you can emphasize what you prefer. I’ve included notes on the most interesting prospects.

The Recent July 2nd Class

Raimfer Salinas, CF

Everson Pereira, CF

Antonio Cabello, CF

Ronny Rojas, SS

Roberto Chirinos, SS

The three center fielders here are the tops of this group and are tightly packed, but Salinas is the best athlete, an easy plus runner with a plus arm who projects for plus power. Pereira has less in the way of physical ability than Salinas but more feel for the game and a real chance for five average or better tools. Arguably the best performer in the deep 2017 Venezuelan class, Cabello featured plus run times and a chance to become a catcher, but the Yankees will develop him in center field to move the bat quicker.

Past July 2nd Guys with Big Tools, Less Big Numbers

Juan De Leon, RF

Nelson Gomez, 3B

Wilkerman Garcia, SS

Leonardo Molina, CF

Antonio Arias, CF

Miguel Flames, 1B

Indications are positive that the numbers may show up this year for De Leon: he’s in better shape, showing 55 run, 60 throw, and 60 raw power tools that got him a $2 million bonus a few years ago. Gomez is also in much better shape, has always had plus raw power, and may be able to post the numbers to support his bonus, as well.

Lower-Upside Recent International Signees

Hoy Jun Park, SS

Saul Torres, C

Diego Castillo, SS

Park needs to be more aggressive at the plate but is a plus runner with sneaky gap power and a solid chance to play shortstop. Torres has a plus-plus arm and is an advanced receiver with great makeup and solid-average raw power. Any kind of bat will make him a solid big leaguer. Castillo has spent some time in big-league camp this year, has great feel for the game, and elite contact ability. He’ll likely have a career as a utility type.

Lower-Upside Domestic Bats

Donny Sands, C

Canaan Smith, 1B

Trey Amburgey, RF

Jeff Hendrix, CF

Higher Upside Domestic Bats

Isiah Gilliam, RF

Rashad Crawford, CF

A switch-hitter, Gilliam is better as a righty but has 65-70 power from the left side. The profile may end up at first base, but if the hit tool progresses, he could be a guy.

Future Bullpen Fits

Anyelo Gomez, RHP

Glenn Otto, RHP

Giovanny Gallegos, RHP

J.P. Sears, LHP

Trevor Lane, LHP

Cale Coshow, RHP

Nick Nelson, RHP

Matt Frawley, RHP

David Sosebee, RHP

Phillip Diehl, LHP

Pedro Barrios, RHP

Harold Cortijo, RHP

Gomez was the Braves’ pick in the major-league portion of the Rule 5 Draft this year and was just returned. He relies on a 94-96 fastball that hits 99 mph and is especially effective getting swings and misses up in the zone. Gomez backs it up with a 55-grade changeup, fringe to average command, and a below-average slider that he doesn’t use much. Owner of a 70 curveball, Otto is 92-95 mph in relief with the below-average fastball command and Rice track record that point to relief. The Yankees will put him in the rotation in Low-A this year and see what happens.

Future Back-End Starters

Nick Green, RHP

Rony Garcia, RHP

Adonis Rosa, RHP

Luis Rijo, RHP

Juan Then, RHP

Jhonatan Munoz, RHP

Cistulli’s Guy

Selected by Carson Cistulli from any player who received less than a 40 FV.

Hoy Jun Park, SS

While it’s certainly not the case for every organization, those players in the Yankees system previously designated as Cistulli’s Guy have actually grown as prospects. Mike Ford, who appeared in this space back in 2015, is ranked 23rd by McDaniel on the present incarnation of this list; Thairo Estrada, last year’s pick, is 11th here. Both have parlayed control of the plate — selectivity, above-average contact skills — into an offensive profile that works relative to their respective defensive homes.

Broadly speaking, Park is the same sort of player. Following a promotion last season to High-A Tampa, he recorded the fourth-lowest swinging-strike rate among the 200 or so Florida State League batters with 100-plus plate appearances. The power is modest, but both the numbers and reports like McDaniel’s above suggest that he should be capable of playing league-average defense in the middle infield, if not shortstop itself.

System Overview

The Yankees are almost perpetually in win-now mode, and they moved five prospects who would have appeared among the top 10 here in order to acquire Brandon Drury, Sonny Gray, and Giancarlo Stanton. Nevertheless, New York still has one of the deepest pools of talent in baseball and a top-10 overall system. This is due largely to top-tier international and domestic amateur scouting staffs, along with some solid trades from the pro scouting staff.

Consider: among just the players on this top 27 who were originally signed by the organization’s international staff, the Yankees have players who were signed for about 10% of his value due to paperwork delays (Florial), signed for $10,000 or less for various reasons (Acevedo, Duran, Freicer Perez), a released player signed from an international tournament (Loaisiga), a player signed during a month-long stay in another team’s academy (Estrada), a player signed for $200,000 when they were in the penalty (Deivi Garcia), and another signed for $280,000 when every team assumed he was on steroids (Medina). There’s been some high bonus players that haven’t gone perfectly so far, so this isn’t a spotless record, but most of those prospects are still teenagers. The amount of value here created out of almost nothing is astounding..