10 Yankees Farm System Standouts in 2014

Dante Bichette Jr.- 3rd Baseman;  21-years-old;  Bats-Right  Throws-Right;  Height: 6’1″ Weight: 215 lbs; Drafted in the 1st round (51st Overall pick) of 2011 MLB Amateur Draft;  Highest Level Reached to date: Double-A Trenton Thunder

2014 Combined Statistics: .271 BA, 9 home runs, 64 RBI

After two very disappointing seasons in 2012 and 2013, the Yankees started to worry about their first 2011 draft pick. He hit just .248 in  2012 and his average dropped even more in 2013, as he batted an abysmal .214. There was a fear that Bichette would fade into obscurity within the system and never reach the potential the Yankees saw in him. This season was pretty much “make or break” for the young player whose father is of course former superstar slugger for the Colorado Rockies, Dante Bichette. This season, he’s bounced back and really made an impression. The Yankees rewarded him this week, with a promotion to Double-A where he hopes to continue his very solid season.

The Yankees, as far as position goes, view Bichette as a mystery. He’s played 3rd base since joining the organization, but 2013 draft pick Eric Jagielo also mans the hot corner. However, this is a question on whether Jagielo can continue to play third base and he may be forced to move positions. So the future of Bichette as a fielder really depends on what happens with his fellow Yankee farm hand. There isn’t much of a question on whether Bichette can play third, but he needed his offense to show up this year and it did. He was ousted from the Yankees Top 20 Prospect List earlier in the season, and this season should help him push his way back into it.