New York Yankees Top 20 Prospects

The Evil Empire is back! Much to the chagrin of Red Sox fans like myself, the Yankees have been throwing around some serious coin this offseason, signing star starting pitchers, such as C.C. Sabathia to the richest contract ever for a pitcher (7 years, $161 million) as well as A.J. Burnett to an expensive 5 year, $82.5 million deal. Young possible ace-in-the-making Joba Chamberlain returns to the rotation and former top prospect Phil Hughes figures to surprise many if he can grab the #5 starting spot out of Spring Training. But the Yankees, like all teams, still depend on the farm to produce both role players for the short term and starters for the long term.

New York Yankees Top 20 Prospects for 2009

1. Jesus Montero (B+) - C

Tough call between Montero and Jackson at the number one spot, but I decided to give the nod to Montero, because I feel Jackson may not be as good as advertised and may be another over hyped Yankees prospect. Anyway, Montero is an incredible developing player in his own right. Only 19 years old, Montero led the Yankees organization in hits and has tremendous power potential for a catcher. Big in size at 6'4'' and roughly 225 lbs and growing, a switch to first base may be necessary in the future. Regardless, Montero is on track to be a fabulous offensive player.

2. Austin Jackson (B+) - OF

While many prospect lists have Jackson at the top, I have him second on the list because I don't think he has the same kind of upside as Montero. Jackson is a solid all around athlete, who does everything well for the most part, but lacks an elite tool. He has a chance to play in the majors next season, depending whether or not the Yankees choose to pursue Mike Cameron in a trade, sign a free agent (though the market is dry on pitchers) or keep Melky Cabrera there, who has struggled. I think Jackson will become a solid major league player, who will hit about .280 with 15 HRs a year, but perhaps with more power in the future. Coincidentally, he reminds me a lot of Mike Cameron, but will likely hit fewer HRs than Cameron did during his prime.

3. Dellin Betances (B) - RHP

The top pitching prospect for the Yanks, Betances profiles as a potential ace in the future with a plus fastball, sitting in the 93 to 95 range that can be cranked up to 98. He also has a developing knuckle curve in the lower 80s that is becoming a strong out pitch. He does walk quite a few batters, so control remains a work in progress, but the potential is there. He is only 20 years old, so he's got a few more years of refining his repertoire before he's up with the Yanks.

4. Andrew Brackman (B) - RHP

When the Yankees gave Brackman the biggest signing-bonus to a draftee in franchise history in 2007, they were taking a major risk, not only because of the money at stake, but because Brackman had a major elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery. The Yankees did so because of Brackman's massive upside; he probably has better stuff than Betances. However, because of the TJ surgery and an appendectomy in July, Brackman is just getting on the mound in the Hawaii Winter League. He has all the talent in the world, but we'll have to see how he recovers from his injuries.

5. Zach McAllister (B) - RHP

McAllister really broke out this season and had an incredible year. He doesn't have the greatest stuff, but he was able to compile an impressive 2.19 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 144 innings, mostly because of his good control. McAllister is, in many ways, similar to lefty Ian Kennedy who has struggled so far at the big league level, but hopefully, for Yankees fans, McAllister doesn't experience the same difficulties.

6. Austin Romine (B) - C

Drafted in the second round out of high school in 2007, Romine has shot up prospect lists everywhere after a successful 2008 campaign hitting .300 with 10 HRs in A ball. He does, however, have unorthodox mechanics hitting and receiving, but he has a very strong arm. In the long term, Romine projects as the team's starting catcher as Jesus Montero will likely move to first base.

7. Mark Melancon (B-) - RHP

Melancon is asserting himself as the best reliever in the system. He not only has the stuff (three solid pitches: fastball, curve, change), but he also has the confidence to succeed at the next level. Look for Melancon to be in the back of the bullpen in 09, and possibly the eventual heir to Mariano Rivera.

8. Alfredo Aceves (C+) - RHP

Aceves pitched very strong near the end of the 2008 season for the Yanks, but will likely be in the bullpen or in AAA after the acquisitions of CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett. Aceves has decent stuff and can be a decent starter, but it would probably have to be with another team.

9. Jairo Heredia (C+) - RHP

Heredia, only 18 years old, has great stuff at a young age. He has a developing fastball in the low-to-mid 90s, while striking out 95 batters in 102.1 innings with a 3.25 ERA in A-ball, very impressive for a player his age. Heredia has excellent potential and with continued success, he will rise through the system.

10. Bradley Suttle (C+) - 3B

Suttle is an excellent developing switch hitter, who despite being drafted in the 4th round of the 2007 draft, was labeled as a first round talent who dropped because of sign ability issues.

11. Jeremy Bleich (C+) - LHP

After first round pick Gerrit Cole didn't sign, Bleich, the team's second rounder, has a lot more pressure on him. Bleich is similar to Ian Kennedy and has been dominating the Hawaii Winter

League. Look for him to travel fast through the minors.

12. Phil Coke (C+) - LHP

Coke is old for a prospect at 26 but looks like a strong candidate for the Yankees bullpen after dominating down the stretch last year.

13. Brett Gardner (C+) - OF

Gardner profiles as a fourth outfielder at the major league level. Gardner has blazing speed and plays solid defense, but the bat remains a question and he has very little power.

14. Humberto Sanchez (C+) - RHP

Sanchez, acquired in the Gary Sheffield trade, has battled a lot of injuries since the trade. He has tons of talent, but its really about him getting on the mound consistently and developing his pitches as he has lost a lot of time because of the injuries.

15. Juan Miranda (C+) - 1B

Though Miranda is 25 years old (unknown for sure, as his records are unclear coming from Cuba), he enjoyed success at AAA, hitting .287 with 12 HRs. He will likely become a solid role player in the future.

16. Francisco Cervelli (C) - C

Once thought the catcher of the future by some, it appears that Cervelli will only become a backup in New York with Montero and Romine waiting in the wings. Cervelli is good defensively, so he could eventually take the role Jose Molina played last season.

17. Brandon Laird (C) - 3B

Laird had a monster year in A ball with 23 HR and 86 RBI. Not one of the more toolsy guys, but it opens your eyes. If he can keep it up, he'll become a good trade chip.

18. Alan Horne (C) - RHP

What a drop-off. Horne was so good in 07 and considered a top 5 Yankees prospect and then had a terrible 08 campaign, and at 26, not much room for a rebound. He stays on this list in hopes of a turnaround.

19. George Kontos (C) - RHP

Kontos is a pretty average pitcher that may have to move to the bullpen in the future. He doesn't have great stuff, but he gets the job done.

20. Pat Venditte (C) - SHP! (Yes, both arms!)

Quite possibly my favorite prospect, and I'm a Sox fan. Venditte is incredible. He throws pretty much equally with both arms and actually had a fantastic season. He is legitimately a guy to watch for because if he masters both arms, he can really fool some hitters.

Here is his famous duel against a switch hitter:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2oD8KzxS14

Other "C"s that didn't make the cut:
Christian Garcia - RHP
David Robertson - RHP
Jonathan Albaladejo - RHP
Jhonathan Ortiz - RHP
Eric Hacker - RHP
Edwar Gonzalez - OF

Damon Sublett - 2B

J. Brent Cox - RHP
Ryan Pope - RHP
Kelvin de Leon - OF
Yaikco Calderon - OF
Eduardo Sosa - OF