AA
David Adams, 2B, 23yr old, AA- .309/.393/.597- Adams was a third round selection out of the 2008 draft and has been a hit machine ever since he came on board. He was promoted to AA this yr and dominated for nearly 2 months before breaking his ankle. He profiles as a starting 2b in the bigs and should develop enough power to be in the #2 hole in an order. In this system, though, the 2b position is already locked down with an MVP candidate, so Adams will be a trade chip once he proves his health
Austin Romine, C, 21yrs old, AA- .261/.320/.390- Romine has shown everyone that he has all the tools. But the one thing he hasnt needed to prove until this yr was that he could handle the rigors of catching on a daily basis. Prior to this season, he'd been paired with Montero at both Charleston and Tampa. But after Montero was promoted last yr, they havent shared a level. This is pretty evident in the numbers. Through May, Romine had a .900+OPS and looked like one of the best prospects in baseball. Since June 1, his OPS is under .650 and his OPS in August is a measly .509. His projection still stands as a starting catcher, but he is going to need to prove he can sustain his success before he gets a job in the Bronx. If Montero lands the DH spot in the bigs in 2011, Romine will probably be in Scranton. If he doesnt, then Romine is probably due to repeat AA
Corban Joseph, 2B, 21yrs old, A+/AA-.289/.368/.421- Joseph's numbers were really solid in the FSL this yr earning him a promotion to AA after being drafted out of HS in 2008. Since his promotion, he's had some trouble adjusting. He is a true flat out hitter in this system. He has a great approach, he has developing power and can just hit for a high average. His problem remains defense, something that might push him to the OF. If he needs to move out there, then the power needs to develop or he'll lose some value
Hector Noesi, 23yrs old, RHP, A+/AA/AAA- 14-6 3.11ERA 147.2IP 1.06WHIP 8.5K/9IP 5.6K/BB- Noesi has been otherworldly this yr. He had always been a power pitcher with a changeup, but once he mastered the curve last yr, he took off. His control has been impeccable and his effectiveness has skyrocketed. He's now in AAA and threw his first game there last night. Regardless, he will be on the short list for callup in 2011 as he is on the 40 man and pitching very well
Andrew Brackman, RHP, 24yrs old, A+/AA- 8-11 4.10ERA 129.2IP 1.35WHIP 8.3K/9IP- what a difference a year makes. After an abysmal 2009, Brackman showed some polish this yr. With his mechanics refined, he minimized his walk totals and focused on control rather than velocity. Initially sitting in the 90-91 range, he has now seen his velocity return into the 93-96mph range. The breaking ball is back and his change has improved as well. His command on promotion to AA hasnt been as good, but he has avoided bats a bit better at the higher level. Regardless, his ceiling is sky high and he is just starting to show glimpses of his potential. There is a major log jam in the pitching department, so he might have to stay in AA, although the fact that he is on the 40 man likely means he'll move up before anyone else.
Manuel Banuelos, LHP, 19yrs old, A+/AA- 0-4 2.95ERA 55IP 1.20WHIP 12.1K/9IP- Manny Banuelos is probably still the best pitching prospect the Yankee system has. After missing 2 months due to an appendectomy, ManBan has dominated. He's a small framed lefty whose effortless delivery has seen him sit in the 93mph range and reach as high as 97mph. He has an advanced change and a plus curveball as well as solid control. He really has it all. After only a few starts, he was advanced to AA where his first start didnt go so well. Regardless, he will definitely be in AA next season and be a big league option come 2012
Dellin Betances, RHP, 22yrs old, A+/AA- 8-1 1.78ERA 75.2IP 0.87WHIP 11.4K/9IP- Dellin was a project when we drafted him in 2006 along with Joba and Kennedy. He toiled through the minors with elbow issues and it took 3 yrs for the Yankees to take it seriously and to operate. He had some UCL damage, but they didnt need to do a full TJS, they left his ligament intact but essentially performed the same procedure as TJS, doubling the strength of the ligament in that area. Ever since, he's bee dynamite. He's been clocked into the high 90s consistently, and his rehab work has smoothed out his mechanics and made him stronger. His breaking ball looks lights out again and his change looks better than ever. He now looks the part of a top of the rotation pitcher. He will likely be a top 5 prospect in the Yankee system and the way he looks now, he should be one of the top pitching prospects in baseball. He looks that good
Adam Warren, RHP, 23yrs old, A+/AA- 11-7 2.51ERA 1.10WHIP 8.4K/9IP- Warren has been an incredible surprise since selecting him last yr in the 4th round. Initially a pitchability guy, his velocity spiked and has been completely untouchable since. He dominated Tampa, leading to a callup, and since coming to AA, he has been a strikeout machine. He will likely stay in AA next yr since the pitching is stacked in the system, but he also looked like he has the goods to be a very good pitcher for a very long time
George Kontos, RHP, 25yrs old, A+/AA- 0-3 3.10ERA 40.2IP 1.23WHIP 7.5K/9IP- Kontos was another draftee from 2006 and was one of our most advanced pitching prospects coming into the 2009 season. Unfortunately, he tore his UCL and needed TJS. Coming back this yr, the Yankees have worked him in as a reliever. His velocity still isnt all the way back (he's around 90mph) but he still shows that plus slider. As it stood, he looked the part of a big league reliever, even when he was starting. Now as an older player coming off TJS with a ton of other higher profile pitchers around him, he looks like he's a pen guy to stay
Jeremy Bleich, LHP, 23yrs old, 3-2 4.78ERA 41.1IP 1.53WHIP- The Yankee brass knew something was up when Bleich couldnt throw strikes and really showed nothing. After a meeting with their team doctor, weakness was noted in the shoulder and a scope revealed a labrum tear. He's had surgery, but shoulder surgery can be the deathknell of some pitchers. As a lefty, he should carve a big league life out for himself. Unfortunately for him, he's in a system that is pretty loaded and he'll probably be forced to come back as a reliever. If he can regain his command and his secondary pitches, then he profiles well as a back end of the rotation starter.