Under the Radar Yankees Prospects: Isiah Gilliam

Yanks Go Yard is combing through the New York Yankees minor league system in search of hidden gems in this ongoing series. Today, outfielder Isiah Gilliam.

The New York Yankees 2015 draft class is shaping up to be one of their best in recent memory. James Kaprielian (1st round)), Chance Adams (5th round), and Drew Finley (3rd round) all rank among the organization’s top pitching prospects, while position players Kyle Holder (1st), Donny Sands (8th), and Trey Amburgey (13th) have all cracked MLB Pipeline’s Top 30 prospects list for the team in the past year.

In a group filled with sleeper prospects, one of the most intriguing talents has emerged from all the way down in the 20th round, outfielder Isiah Gilliam. New York signed Gilliam for a way over slot $550,000 bonus after the young slugger hit .362/.421/.548 with five home runs, 20 doubles, and 52 RBI in 214 plate appearances as an 18-year-old for Chipola College in the spring of 2015.

In his 2015 Draft Report Card for the Yankees (subscription required), John Manuel of Baseball America listed the team’s 20th round selection that June under both “Best Power Hitter” and “Best Late Round Pick,” noting that Gilliam is “the increasingly rare switch hitter with power from both sides.”

The Yankees announced Gilliam as a first baseman on draft day, but he has played the outfield corners exclusively since being drafted. He has below-average range, but there is a shot he could stick out there long-term. His just-OK arm probably means he’s a better fit for left field.

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Gilliam got off to a strong start as a professional, hitting .296/.359/.415 in 153 plate appearances after being assigned to the Gulf Coast League. Things went a little less smoothly after a promotion to the Pulaski Yankees this season, as his strikeout rate rose to a worrying 26.8% while walking in just 7.1% of his plate appearances.

Still, Gilliam showed off his impressive raw powers, with 10 home runs and a .202 ISO in his 239 plate appearances this year. He put up a .239/.301/.440 slash line overall in the Appalachian League, which is likely good enough to bump him up to the Low-A Charleston Riverdogs to begin the 2017 season.

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Gilliam’s approach at the plate needs work, but he just turned 20 and has been more than a year younger than his average competition the last two years. He will need time to develop, but his impressive power means he could turn into an MLB regular, especially if he can stick in the outfield.