The Yankees may not know for years whether Blake Rutherford can develop into a power-hitting center fielder, Nick Solak can blossom into a speedy second baseman or Nolan Martinez can become a mainstay of their pitching staff.

But sooner or later, the farm system must begin bearing fruit, and the Yankees must start relying on younger players — similar to what the Boston Red Sox have done — if they are to build the type of sustained championship contender they fielded for so much of the 1990s and early 2000s.

The Yankees’ farm system has not been entirely unproductive.

Two homegrown players, reliever Dellin Betances and left fielder Brett Gardner, have made an impact in the major leagues, and the Yankees flipped young pitchers they developed (Adam Warren and Shane Greene) for the team’s current double-play combination, Starlin Castro and Didi Gregorius. They also sent several other prospects to Cincinnati in a trade for closer Aroldis Chapman.

There could be help on the way if first baseman Greg Bird successfully returns from shoulder surgery next season; pitcher Luis Severino recovers from his sophomore slump; and catcher Gary Sanchez, outfielder Aaron Judge and shortstop Jorge Mateo fulfill their promise.