Yankees Top Prospects
With Spring Training winding down, both major leaguers and minor leaguers are preparing for their respective seasons. I thought it would be fun and wise to look at each MLB team’s top prospects. After all, more often than not, the top prospects of their team will accomplish one of three things, be the next star/regular player for their team, get traded for a star player, or at least reach the MLB and contribute in some fashion. They are the backbone of any successful organization. Look at the Rays, they may have a tiny payroll, but they are consistently a top-performing team with their amazing prospect system. As such, I’m taking a look at the empire, the New York Yankees’ top-5 prospects. The Yankees have built a team through their minor leagues and prospects mostly. Aaron Judge, Gleyber Torres, Jordan Montgomery, Luis Severino, and many others were prospects in their system.
So, who are the next 5 players set to become potential stars for the contending Yankees?
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1. Anthony Volpe, SS, Double-AA
Anthony Volpe is the heir to the shortstop throne for the Yankees. This was made clear when they refused to sign Trevor Story, Corey Seager, and Carlos Correa this past off-season. The 20-year old Volpe has superstar potential after smashing 35 doubles and 27 HRs across two levels of A-ball last year. Originally drafted out of the first round in the 19′ draft, Volpe has certainly impressed with his power and hit tool so far. He led the minors in runs while being close to the top in extra-base hits. Don’t be surprised if he leaves Spring Training 2023 as the Yankees’ starting shortstop. He has All-Star potential with a solid glove, great bat, and great speed.
2. Oswald Peraza, SS, Triple-AAA
For most teams, Peraza would be the team’s future shortstop, but he has an even better player not far behind him in Volpe. I would predict that Peraza is either traded for much-needed pitching help or is moved to 2nd base despite being an excellent defender at shortstop. Signed out of Venezuela in 2016, Oswald has reached Triple-AAA and will push for MLB playing time this year. He has plenty of power and speed after bopping 18 long balls with 38 steals last year. I see him having All-Star potential if he can stay patient at the plate and not strike out so much. He had 111 K’s to only 37 walks, which is not good the higher he advances.
3. Jasson Dominguez, OF, Single-A
Jasson was signed for big money out of the Dominican Republic in 2019. After Covid ruined 2020, he had his first pro season in 2021 and it was impressive. Over two low levels, Jasson had hit 5 HRs with 19 RBIs in only 56 games. He has extreme power potential with a fast swing that should improve as he grows older and into his body. After all, he’s only 19. Dominguez will face the same issues other big power hitters have faced, the mighty strikeout. With a big swing comes lots of holes. If he can sharpen that up, he should reach the majors within a few years. He has plenty of speed and arm strength to stick in RF.
4. Austin Wells, C, High-A
So, this is the guy the Yankees traded Gary Sanchez for? Well, the fans are going to have a year or two to see him behind the plate in Yankee stadium. Wells was drafted in the first round of the 2020 draft and has proven them to be right in doing so. Across both A-levels last year, Wells had 16 HRs and 76 RBIs with an impressive 71 walk to 117 K ratio. He even displayed some speed with 16 steals. He’s a polished hitter and if he played another position, I wouldn’t put it out of the realm of him debuting in the majors by end of this season. However, he’s going to have to really work on his catching defense after allowing an 87% steal rate and a lot of passed balls. Don’t tell me this is another Gary Sanchez. The bat is legit, the glove is still a work in progress.
5. Clarke Schmidt, RHP, MLB
Schmidt has played in the MLB the past two seasons with little cups of coffee for the Yankees. Over the 5 games he’s pitched in, he has a 6.39 ERA with 10 walks and 13 K’s in 12.2 innings. Perhaps due to that and his elbow issues the past couple of years, the former first-rounder belongs in the bullpen. That’s where he’s projected to start this season in the MLB Bullpen. He has a plus-fastball with a strong changeup/slider. His control and health have ultimately been the factors holding him back. If he can survive this season healthy and develop more control, look for him to push for a rotation spot in the 2023 rotation. At least he will be helping the Yankees this year in their worrisome bullpen.
