The Yankees of the Future: Around the Horn

Welcome to my second edition of Yankees of the future. If there is anything in question about the roster, it is the infield.

Mark Teixeira is becoming more of a problem than anticipated. He was brought to New York for his Gold Glove capabilities and power from both sides of the plate. However, his depleted production and inability to stay healthy is making him more of a black hole for money to be thrown into. The first basemen in the system aren’t exactly the strongest of prospects but there is one to keep an eye on.

2011 fifth round draft pick Greg Bird, who is listed at 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, can be the heir to the throne. He has displayed an unreal amount of patience at the plate while waiting for his pitch. Bird has a strong ability to keep his weight back while recognizing off-speed pitches.

Bird struck out 23% of the time in 2014 and interestingly enough that was through Single-A and Double-A. His defense is nothing to write home about; he is an average defender and doesn’t possess much upside. Despite his .271/.376/.472 slash line in 2014, fans should dial back their expectations.

Third base was addressed this off-season but to what extent? It is yet to be seen if Chase Headley can recapture his youth and become productive for the next four years. He is a better option than Alex Rodriguez, but either way I don’t foresee him being a permanent solution.

The Yankees were well aware of what might come to be at the hot corner and used the 26th overall pick in 2013 on Eric Jagielo. The Notre Dame product was the first position player to be taken as high as the first round since 2001.

The Yankees fell in love with his left-handed power bat that was built for the short right field porch of Yankee Stadium. He projects into the near future plans as a lock at third base and a key piece of rebuilding with youth. His skill asset is tremendous and displays a high upside at the plate. Jagielo can hit to all fields with power and has a tremendous recognition of pitches. He displays the patience of a mature hitter as well. While he will never be an elite defender at third base, he has the range and arm strength to play the position well.

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The Yankees may have the future shortstop in Didi Gregorius but that is on the hopes of him developing his bat to catch up to his level of defense. That may be asking for a lot because it is a far ways off; his .226/.290/.363 slash line from 2014 isn’t exactly refined.

If Gregorius does not develop then enter Jorge Mateo. Gregorius will have plenty of time before being dethroned because Mateo is only 19. However, despite being young, Mateo has opened eyes around the organization and has done enough to be rated the number three prospect in the Yankee system by Baseball America.

He has above average range defensively and has a 70/80 on the scouting scale for speed. To add to his high ceiling, defensively Mateo has a good eye at the plate which allows for him to spray the ball around while providing double-digit home runs. Teams who engage in trade talks with the Yankees are sure to ask about Mateo.

Second base is literally a blank space on the lineup card at the moment. In the same scenario as shortstop, the Bombers may have the future second baseman in either Jose Pirela or Rob Refsnyder. It remains to be seen what they are capable of at the Major League level. Pirela doesn’t exactly have the highest of upsides, despite tearing through the farms.

His contact swing and versatility make him a manager’s dream but he is already 25-years old. A versatile player isn’t necessarily the best attribution to a lineup though. If Cashman felt that way, he might have kept Martin Prado. Refsnyder is the favorite to win the job and become the next big name to come out of the system.

He has been raking his way through the farms and in 2014 he posted a .318/.387/.497 between Double-A and Triple-A. His transition from outfield to second base hasn’t been the smoothest. Ref’s fielding is coming around, but there will be growing pains defensively.