2014 Yankees Minor League notes

[jacksonianmarch]

At least less players need operations by the second week of april. Huge improvement on last yr, lol. Thus far, I have been a peripheral observer, but the name that is standing out is Gary Sanchez. He's hitting .353/.450/.588 through 9 games and is just hammering the ball and showing patience. Last yr, his defense took a major step forward and thus far, this season, his offense is making the move. He's got the potential to be a power hitting starting catcher, but he's blocked here. Unlike Montero, though, I think this kid sticks in the org as the backup catcher to McCann as early as mid season next yr and probably backup 1b and full time DH come 2016. He's been in the system for awhile, but he's only 21 yrs old.

[Behindenemylines]

At least less players need operations by the second week of april. Huge improvement on last yr, lol. Thus far, I have been a peripheral observer, but the name that is standing out is Gary Sanchez. He's hitting .353/.450/.588 through 9 games and is just hammering the ball and showing patience. Last yr, his defense took a major step forward and thus far, this season, his offense is making the move. He's got the potential to be a power hitting starting catcher, but he's blocked here. Unlike Montero, though, I think this kid sticks in the org as the backup catcher to McCann as early as mid season next yr and probably backup 1b and full time DH come 2016. He's been in the system for awhile, but he's only 21 yrs old.

 

If the $pankees really thought this guy was the answer they would not have signed McCann long term. They would have done what the Sox did and sign a vet short term to hold the place. They will build him up to be the best thing since sliced cheese and trade him for other pieces like they did "Fat Boy" (Montero).

[jacksonianmarch]

The Yankees don't wait for prospects. They never have and never will. Given Sanchez' age, your probably looking at him being ready for 2016 on a full time basis. No way they were waiting for a prospect for 2 more seasons at such a critical position. Also, by then, Tex will be in his final season, so they'd be close to gaining some roster flexibility as well. The kid is a top prospect, but they don't wait for them in the bronx

[jacksonianmarch]

Peter O'Brien is cranking up the heat on the Yankee brass. He came in as a senior draftee and came in as a C. Because they wanted him to catch, he started in low A last yr and promoted late to High A. He started the yr in High A as a catcher, but they just scrapped that plan, moved him to RF (with a little 3B) and propelled him to AA. He's hit 14HR in 34 games and is probably on the fast track to the bigs. He doesn't have a lot of speed, but has a f***ing cannon, so he can hold his own in the OF.

[jacksonianmarch]

He's now hit 17HR on the year.

[jacksonianmarch]

Peter O'Brien hit his 10th AA homer today. He has also hit 10 A+ HR's. He leads the entire MiLB in HR with 20. He has power unlike anything we have had in this system in awhile

[Meh]

Really disappointing season so far from our minor league view. Lots of injuries and Bird, Sanchez, and Austin have really not done anything. German, Torrens, Bird, and Hensley getting hurt really sucked too. Judge has smashed though and Refs is coming around. Williams and Heathcott are having throwback years. Is Clarkin hurt or ? Mateo and Wade have been excellent too.

[jacksonianmarch]

Meh, I disagree with you on the offensive front. We're seeing solid progress out of Avelino and Mateo. Bird is just starting to rev up. Judge is absolutely murdering the ball. Jagielo is a masher. Mason Williams and Slade Heathcott are looking great. As far as our offensive prospects go, we are definitely seeing good progress (aside from Sanchez). We lost a few starters prior to the season and it looks like Clarkin and Camarena are probably headed for TJS as well. Severino has looked very good on the rotational front. That being said, with Lail now out after getting cracked in the skull, we are definitely lacking starting depth in the minors. Our pen prospects have been very good. I think the next guy up should be Lindgren or Burawa. Lindgren has a 1.65ERA with 22K in 16.1IP at AAA. Not bad for a 2nd rounder from last year

[Meh]

Lindgren velocity is way down. Bird is hurt, he's not warming up. Jags is smashing but thats about it. I did sat Judge and Mateo are doing well. As are Williams and Slade. Just injuries have destroyed the system this year.

[jacksonianmarch]

Mateo with 2 more steals. 27SBs in 31 games to go along with a .352OBP as a 19 yr old in long season. This kid also apparently plays a slick SS.

[Meh]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/mlb-mock-draft-2015-version-3-0/

 

Yankees have been connected to Betts, Stewart, Nikorak, and Kaprielian. I'd be happy if we got two of those. I'd go for Betts and Nikorak with my picks. With our large pool, we might even be able to snag a pretty solid pick with our second rounder too.

[jacksonianmarch]

I like Kaprielian and Bickford. I want a college flame thrower with pick 1.

[jacksonianmarch]

The most recent mock has us getting Funkhouser and Matuella and Aiken falling into the second round. No f***ing way that happens. If Aiken falls to us in the first round, we're gonna take him. Matuella might have the better raw stuff, but he has a chronic back condition as well as TJS. Aiken had an abnormally small UCL and now is recovering from TJS, problem solved. Kid will be throwing in the minors in 2016. I like the Funkhouser pick. I would welcome the Matuella pick if Aiken is off the board. Regardless, with our purchase of basically the top 10 from the INTL ranks last yr and all of them being position players, we need to add to our pitching depth. With Clarkin missing time with elbow trouble and a bunch of other guys either recovering from or needing TJS, we are short on options, especially from AA to A ball. Some college arms or a recovering top notch prospect who can start in Charleston next yr would be welcome

[jacksonianmarch]

Severino to AAA. He and Mitchell in the same rotation, should be fun. They are really limiting Severino right now, which might mean a possible big league callup should some of our starters suck nuts

[Meh]

I hope we take Whitely and Everett with our two picks. That'd be insane. Really hope we get Whitely though.

[Meh]

Almost halfway through the season now. I'd say the farm breaks down as....

 

1. Severino. Having probably the best season so far among Yankee prospects. Looks like we finally have an Ace in the making.

 

2. Judge, had him #1 before the season. He's having a powerful season. In Triple-A now too. I hope we don't call him up. I believe he needs some time in Triple-A before the show.

 

Here's were it gets tricky.... 3. Sanchez, Turning it around before he got hurt. Should be back soon though. He's having a really solid season and he's so young. Defense is getting better and no long in the Jesus Montero mold.

 

4. Mateo. He's so young and he's holding his own and his speed is among the tops in baseball.

 

5. Jagielo, I could see him in Triple-A soon too. He's having a come back season but he ended up getting hurt. I hope he can come back and finish strong.

 

6. Bird, Putting up less than solid numbers right now but I still love his potential.

 

7. Wade, this is a bull ranking but you can't say he's not hitting and he's putting up excellent SB numbers.

 

8. Kaprielian. I think we sign him and I truly believe he can pitch and will pitch well but he hasn't thrown a pitch so I don't have him higher. He could be 6th on some lists.

 

9. Refsnyder, He's hit in Triple-A, going through a rough patch now and his fielding was horrible but it's kind of leveled off now.

 

10. Jake Cave. personal favorite. I'd have Mitchell here since I think he has the stuff to be in the majors and produce in the majors.

[jacksonianmarch]

Severino has been everything we wanted him to be. If he dominates AAA this year, he is setting himself up for next season to enter the fray. His K rate in AA was insane. It has tailed off since he moved to AAA. He's 21 and his prior season high was 113IP last season. He should see around 150IP this year. As long as he stays healthy, he's an option for us next season to throw around 180IP. He is truly a special talent, we just need to make sure he stays healthy.

 

Judge has done exactly what we had hoped coming into the season. He was a helium prospect coming off a solid 2014 campaign. What we have seen is the progression in his power game. 12HR in 257AB for his first season in AA is solid. His .506SLG is huge as well. What we haven't seen is the walk totals. An IsoPatience of .064 is still good, but last season he had 89 walks, while he's on pace for 55 this season. I agree with you Meh. We have depth in the OF to stem the loss of Ells for now. When Ells returns, there is no need. I want to see him in September as a callup and maybe allow him to experience the life. Then we give the kid a chance to park Beltran on the street corner on the way up from Florida next season. He has absolute light tower power. I want to see more progression in his contact game and in his batting eye.

 

Sanchez is as tradeable as they come, IMO. He's playing good D and has above average power, but he is not going to be the game changer offensively that we thought he'd be. He's had discipline issues, work ethic issues and injury issues. He is definitely a starting catcher ceiling in the big leagues and most likely ends up as a decent C when he makes it up, but I doubt he reaches the ceiling he initially had of a top of the line offensive receiver.

 

Mateo has as high of a ceiling as any SS in the system. He has top end speed with a quick bat and some power projection. Add to that the fact that he just turned 20 and is heating up as the season goes on, and I am excited for his progress. 50 steals by June 24th is impressive. That being said, I need to see improvement in the contact rate. Even with the best projection, he wont be a HR hitter. He's a speed first player who can hit line drives all over the field. I'd like to see more groundball capability and AB extending ability before I clear room.

 

Jagielo is a beast. He's your prototypical big lefty power hitter. His defense will always be the thing that trips him up. He has light tower power with average or slightly above patience. I'd like to see him stay healthy and move full time to 1b where I think he belongs. When he comes back, I'd be quick to move him to AAA.

 

Bird is still hurt. He's had some hand and arm issues that seem to always crop up as well as a back problem. He has always seemed to have comps to Nick Johnson, and now he gets hurt like him too

 

Wade had a lot of helium early on, but his hitting has run cold. I see him as a backup in the bigs. His speed isn't blazing and his defense isn't out of this world.

 

Kaprielian is a safe pick, a guy who I expect to rifle through the system with a ton of speed. His last month or so, he was throwing harder. If he maintains that velo throughout the minors, then we're looking at a potential ace. If he drops down to where his SR had him (88-92) then I think he's probably a mid tier to back end guy

 

Refsnyder can play. His D has picked up. He can hit. He will be in the bigs soon enough

 

Cave is a dirt dog. Everyone seems to love him. He works hard, but also lacks one exceptional tool aside from maybe speed. Reminds me a lot of Gardner

[jacksonianmarch]

Don't look now, but Bird is crushing baseballs again. Got white hot in Trenton, enough to bring his OPS over .800 prior to moving up to AAA. Now has a .880 OPS there. He's got an elite eye and the power is starting to come. He and Jagielo are in a race to see who gets regular 1b ABs after Tex's contract is up after next yr

[Meh]

Wasn't posted, but the Yankees are sending some pretty good talent to the AFL this year. Wade, Sanchez, Jagielo, and Fowler from the position player side and Webb and Hebert from the pitching side. We can send two additional pitchers too. I think Lindgren might be one of them depending on his health. Excited to see the hitters for sure though. Probably four of our top 8 hitters in the system. Wade and Fowler both had excellent years, Wade having a breakout year imo. Jags was in the midst of a good season, but got hurt. It'll be nice to see him get the extra ABs. Sanchez of course had a good year himself too.

[jacksonianmarch]

I am not sold on Wade. He's a Brendan Ryan type to me. He doesn't possess the speed to steal bags at the big league level and he doesn't have any power to speak of. Fowler is a 4.5 tool player. I like him but want to see how he does against top notch competition. I love Jagielo and Sanchez, although I think Jags is the first to go in a trade. Bird is better as a 1b prospect and Jags is basically a 1b playing third.