Following the trade deadline, MLB.com updated their 2015 Prospect List for the New York Yankees, and the big surprise was the ranking of their first-round draft picks from the 2015 draft. The Yankees highest pick since 1993, James Kaprielian, who was taken 16th overall, was immediately slotted in as the fifth best prospect in the organization, behind the “untouchable four” of Luis Severino, Aaron Judge, Jorge Mateo, and Greg Bird.
This was especially shocking, as even though Kaprielian has yet to make his professional debut, he has already climbed ahead of Yankees prospects such as Rob Refsnyder and Gary Sanchez, who come in at six and seven, respectively. Eric Jagielo, Ian Clarkin, and Jacob Lindgren round out the top ten.
The next surprise comes in at number 13. Following Tyler Wade, and Rookie Davis, who are ranked 11th and 12th, the Yankees other first-round pick, Kyle Holder, who was selected 30th overall, is ranked as the 13th-best prospect in the organization. Even though Holder has struggled at the plate for the Staten Island Yankees, his defense is held in a high enough regard to make up for his deficiencies at the plate.
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Brady Lail, Drew Finley, Mason Williams, Bryan Mitchell, Jake Cave, Hoy Jun Park, and Dustin Fowler round out the top 20. Finley, like Kaprielian and Holder, was drafted in 2015, taken with the 92nd pick overall. The Yankees third-round pick has struggled through his first six starts in the Rookie League, pitching to an ERA of 6.46, and throwing only 15 1/3 IP. He has been susceptible to hits, home runs and walks, as he has struggled with his control, but on a positive note, he has struck out 10.6 batter per nine innings pitched.
Luis Torrens, who hasn’t played in 2015 after suffering a torn labrum in his shoulder back in January, comes in at 21st. Even with the missed year, Torrens still has a lot of potential as he will only be 19 when the 2016 season begins. Miguel Andujar, Juan De Leon, Dermis Garcia, and Abiatal Avelino complete the top 25.
While Andujar and Avelino both were signed back in the 2011-2012 international free agent signing period, De Leon and Garcia were part of the Yankees $17-million international spending spree in the 2014-2015 signing period. Garcia, who is only 17, was the highest-ranked player on the international market, and the Yankees signed the shortstop for a $3-million fee.
Slade Heathcott, who was called off the 60-day DL Friday, comes in at 26th, followed by Jordan Montgomery, Cale Coshow, Domingo Acevedo, and Leonardo Molina.
While several players on the top 30 list have already debuted, there are many others knocking on the door, including the organizations top prospect, Severino, who will be making his debut sometime next week. It is an exciting time for the organization as the big league club is performing, backed up by a strong minor league system. Not only do the Yankees possess two of the top prospects in all of baseball, they have a system that is stocking up on youth, while growing much deeper.
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