Yankees News: Greg Bird Is MLB.com’s Third Ranked First Base Prospect

The MLB.com pipeline rankings have been good to the New York Yankees so far. Luis Severino was seventh in the right-handed starting pitching department. I would expect to see some more names in the top 10 rankings as they move forward with the lists before the big show next Friday night. 

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On the first base list, the possible replacement for Mark Teixeira was picked third in Greg Bird. Bird was second in the AL behind the A’s Matthew Olson. Coming in first was Pittsburgh Pirates’ prospect Josh Bell.

Here’s what MLB.com said about Bird:

"When scouts went to see Kevin Gausman at Grandview High in Aurora, Colo., they also noticed his catcher. Bird stood out with his power potential, which enticed the Yankees to pay him $1.1 million after selecting him in the fifth round of the 2011 Draft. Converted to first base, he broke out in 2013 when he slammed 20 homers, led the minors with 107 walks and ranked fourth with a .428 on-base percentage.A sore back cost Bird the first five weeks of the 2014 season and prevented him from matching his numbers from the year before, though he got back on track by winning MVP honors and the home run crown (with six) in the Arizona Fall League. Bird combines power and patience, working counts until he gets a pitch he can hammer. His left-handed swing can get long at times, which may prevent him from hitting for a high average, but his ability to draw walks should lead to healthy on-base percentages.Bird’s value comes almost solely from his bat. He’s a well-below-average runner with adequate range and arm strength at first base, though he gets credit for working hard on his defense."

If Bird does well this season and the Yankees need a first baseman, or even an extra bat at some point this season, Bird could find himself in the Bronx.  They are prioritizing defense, but if he continues to work at it as the report says, then the Yankees should be able to live with it.

Besides, how sweet would this lefty swing look in the Bronx?

Next: Who Do Yankees Fans Choose As Mr. Yankee?

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