Baseball America Ranks The Yankees’s Farm

By Tyler Angelo | Apr 1, 2015

Baseball America announced their rankings for the New York Yankees’ farm system. For the first time, in a long time, the Yankees have decided to build through their farm system instead of pursuing the top free agents on the market each season. The reality sunk in last season when the result of long term, big salary contracts given to aging players became evident. They had a large chunk of money on the bench nursing injuries and a lack of depth to replace the star players.

This and the final year of the last remaining piece of the core-four, Derek Jeter, made the front office re-examine where the team stands. The recent run of success was a result of a prosperous farm system which brought them the core-four. Now that the run is over and the remaining roster is a shell of what they used to be, the “youth movement” took effect in the offseason. Brian Cashman made move after move to get younger, cheaper, and deeper.

More from Yankees News

Maria Guardado of NJ.com reported the Baseball America ranking as follows:

1. RHP Luis Severino

2. RF Aaron Judge

3. SS Jorge Mateo

4. 1B Greg Bird

5. C Gary Sanchez

6. LHP Ian Clarkin

7. 2B Rob Refsnyder

8. LHP Jacob Lindgren

9. C Luis Torrens

10. RHP Domingo German

We saw a couple of these players demonstrate what they are capable of in the Spring. The number one prospect Severino climbed his way up the ranks last season. Guardado said of Severino:

"Severino, the club’s 21-year-old right-hander, had a 2.47 ERA in 24 minor league starts last season with 127 strikeouts in 113 1/3 innings and climbed three levels in 2014. He is ranked the No. 35 prospect in all of baseball, per Baseball America."

Severino was impressive with his stuff in Spring but he also showed that he has a lot to work on. In 2.2 innings he had a 6.75 ERA, 2.63 WHIP, five strike outs, and one walk. While he has electric stuff, he missed his spots and let his mechanics get out of control. There was a lack of consistency in his delivery; however, a lot of that could be chalked up to the adrenaline rush of a kid pitching with the big league club.

Aaron Judge has drawn comparisons to Giancarlo Stanton of the Miami Marlins with his raw size and power. He stood out this Spring with a .238/.407/.429 and three RBI’s. Judge has room to improve in his game with his low average and nine strike outs in 21 at bats.

Rob Refsnyder and Greg Bird raked and have shown they are big league ready. Joe Girardi and Cashman went on the record saying that Stephen Drew will be the opening day second baseman but Ref made a strong case that he is ready. He has a .342/.457/.553 this Spring and has lived up to his reputation with his bat. The more impressive stat is that he has drawn eight walks as well as raking to all fields. He will be a strong contributor to the offense when he does get the call to take over.

Bird has been the Spring MVP and has showed he is the heir to Mark Teixeira‘s throne at first base. He boasts a veteran approach at the plate and has an uncanny to put the bat on the ball. Bird has been complemented on his passion for the game and his strong work ethic. He put up a tremendous .688 slugging percentage in his limited opportunities this Spring.

Baseball America ranked the Yankees with the 18th best farm system which is certainly a step in the right direction. The potential of their top ten is enough to carry them to the post season for years to come. There are going to be numerous All-Stars that were on this list. The front office has done a tremendous job this offseason in what they have failed to do in the past, they are getting ready to replace the inevitable holes.

Next: The Yankees' New Philosophy

More from Yanks Go Yard

Home/Yankees News