What Has Caused The Turn Around of the Yankees Farm System?

Throwing Around Money South of the Boarder

Mandatory Credit: Robert M. Pimpsner/Pinstriped Prospects.com

Another old and worn out… let’s go with the word “stereotype” about the Yankees’ farm system is that they put so much money into free agency that it costs them by taking draft picks from the team (I’m talking about the qualifying offer here). The words “They can’t spend money on young prospects” come to mind. But this is false. You can spend money on young talent, just not here in the United States.

You may or may not know that every year a lot of teams throw a ton of money at players from the Dominican Republic, Venezuela,  Curaçao, Korea and a multitude of other countries in Latin America and Asia where the MLB Draft does not apply. How young are these guys? Well their ages range from 15 to about 20-years-old and their contracts are long enough to have them in the Majors ready to make an impact while still in their prime without rushing them through the system.

The Yankees have had a lot of success with international prospects with stars like Robinson Cano, Mariano Rivera, Bernie Williams and Melky Cabrera all coming from their home country as teenagers and developing through the system. Currently six of the Yankees top 20 prospects were acquired through this process. Among them are the lights out right-handed pitching phenom Luis Severino (6-5 with a 2.46 ERA and 127 K’s in 2014) who has skyrocketed through the system ranks and currently holds the top spot in the organization rankings. Power hitting catcher of the future Gary Sanchez (.270 average 13 home runs and 65 RBI) was signed out of the Dominican Republic as a 16-year-old in 2009 and continues to improve his all around game.

This season the Yankees went all out, bolstering the minor leagues with young players from outside the country. The Bombers locked up shortstop Dermis Garcia (Dominican Republic) who has been described as a big hitter with a big arm to go along with it. Third baseman Nelson Gomez (Dominican Republic) was widely considered the best power hitter of the bunch when he signed with the Yankees. Shortstops Wilkerman Garcia (Venezuela) and Hyo-Jun Park (Korea) and catcher Miguel Flames (Venezuela) were widely sought after players who are huge pickups for the Yankees organization. The Yankees future could be greatly improved by the development of these players.