Grading the Yankees Top 10 Prospects Entering the 2014 Winter Meetings

The New York Yankees have historically never been known for having a premier farm system, and they still don't have one by any means. But the Yankees have some promising young arms developing in their minor leagues and also have some decent hitting prospects as well. With the 2014 Baseball Winter Meetings vastly approaching, we all know this is a time where prospects are highly sought after and often packaged into blockbuster trades. Here's a look at the current top 10 Yankees prospects and snap shot of how they did in the minors and what they potentially bring to the table.


10. Robert Refsnyder


2014 Stats: .318 average, 14 home runs and 68 RBI

Drafted to the Yankees in 2012, Refsnyder is already progressing well through the minor league ranks. With the Yankees in dire need of middle infield due to voids at 2B and SS in the foreseeable future, it's not a stretch by any means to say Refsnyder can be called up to the big club as early as next season. If the Yankees can't re-sign veteran Chase Headley this off-season, there's a good chance they'll platoon Alex Rodriguez and Martin Prado at 3B and give Refsnyder an early opportunity to be the everyday 2B for the New York Yankees to start off the 2015 season. His combination of hitting for average and power is rare for a guy of his size and position.




9. Jacob Lindgren



2014 Stats: 2-1, 2.16 ERA and 48 K's

Even though the southpaw didn't pitch much for the Yankees (19 starts) in 2014, he really impressed the Yankees front office. While many project him to start the 2015 season in Triple-A, I predict that he'll at least reach the major league bullpen by August of 2015. As a contact pitcher who has a tendency to roll batters over, Jacob Lindgren has the makeup to one day be a reliable no. 3 starter.







8. Gregory Bird


2014 Stats: .271average, 14 home runs and 43 RBI

Aside from the fact that Bird sent headlines across the baseball world a few weeks back with his estimated 450 foot home run in Winter ball, he's one of the top hitting prospects in the organization. His developing power from the left side of the plate is turning him into a pure offensive threat. You can never have too many of those in any organization, and with an aging infield, Bird could be up at either 1B or 3B in the near future.








7. Jake Cave


2014 Stats: .294 average, 7 homes run and 42 RBI

Like the aforementioned Bird, Jake Cave is another left handed bat that the Yankees covet, but he's not known for his power. Instead, Cave is more of a contact hitter who can potentially drive in a lot of runs in a big league uniform. He projects well as a corner outfielder, but the one area of concern before being called up will be his ability to grow into a 20 home run potential kind of guy. Short porch anybody?








6. Aaron Judge

2014 Stats: .308 average, 17 home runs and 78 RBI

In my opinion, Aaron Judge is probably the best hitter in the Yankees farm-system. Though he's only played one full minor league season, his numbers simply can't be ignored. He also features size and speed, and could very well end up being a solid four or five-tool player for the Yankees in the not so distant future.








5. Manny Banuelos




2014 Stats: 2-3, 4.11 ERA and 71 K's

Before you get excited about a reunion of the 'Killer B's', it's important to note that this high ranking is more about Banuelo's potential rather than how he produced last season. Post-injury, Banuelos still has the highest upside of any lefty in the entire Yankees farm system, but he needs to find a way to stay healthy and pitch to his potential consistently. If he can find a way to stay healthy and muster up a full season under his belt, he can be pitching alongside Dellin Betances again at Yankee Stadium very soon.





4. Gary Sanchez

2014 Stats: .270 avera, 13 home runs and 65 RBI

As far as power, Gary Sanchez is just starting to peak, but as a catcher, a position in short supply around the league, he's one of the most valuable pieces in the Yankees farm system. Once the young catcher fully develops, it's expected that he can be 20-25 home run kind of guy while hitting for average. Thankfully he'll have plenty of time to develop with Brian McCann behind the dish in the Bronx for the next few seasons.






3. Eric Jagielo


2014 Stats: .256 average, 18 home runs and 58 RBI

While many believe Jagielo should be ranked above Sanchez, I have him ranked third for one specific reason: his age. Jagielo is already 22 years old, so 2015 will be a huge year to depict his future. He's got all the tools, but he needs to start driving in more runs in critical situations. Based on the amount of time he's spent in the minor leagues, the Yankees could make him A-Rod's heir in the corner of the infield sooner rather than later... especially if things don't pan out with Chase Headley.







2. Ian Clarkin

2014 Stats: 4-3, 3.12 ERA and 75 K's

Ian Clarkin has gone from being a minor league 'no-name' to one of the best players in the entire organization over the course of last season. While he doesn't feature overpowering stuff and an electric arm, he finds a way to never give up hard contact, which projects him as a potential no.2 starter at the big league level some time down the line. He'll likely need another full year in the minor league before being able to fully contribute at the big league level, so hopefully the Yankees pitching staff will find a way to stay healthy so he can remain in the minors and fully develop.







1. Luis Servino

2014 Stats: 6-5, 2.46 ERA and 127 K's

Servino is by far the Yankees most overpowering pitching prospect. He will fan batters with regularity, and he really could be ace material within the next two years or so. Unfortunately, this makes him the potential centerpiece of any big trade the Yankees could be considering for a proven veteran like a Troy Tulowitzki or Elvis Andrus.