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Five Yankees Prospects Who Could Make an Impact in 2017

By Brendan Smith

Jul 10, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; USA outfielder Clint Frazier hits a RBI double in the third inning during the All Star Game futures baseball game at PetCo Park. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 10, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; USA outfielder Clint Frazier hits a RBI double in the third inning during the All Star Game futures baseball game at PetCo Park. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Yankees
Feb 19, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees pitcher James Kaprielian (90) and pitcher Brady Lail (87) work out at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

James Kaprielian 

This might surprise you a bit, given the fact that Kaprielian threw just 18 innings in High-A Tampa this year. When the Yankees drafted Kaprielian number 16 overall out of UCLA in the 2015 draft, the general consensus was that he would be a quick riser through the system, and possibly pitching out of the bullpen in September 2016.

Well, that didn’t exactly work out. After throwing 106 and 106.2 innings in his sophomore and junior seasons, respectively, Kaprielian was limited to 11.1 innings in his first pro season. But, a recurring elbow injury has kept Kaprielian sidelined since April 21st. That is, until he debuted in the Arizona Fall League, and impressed everyone, showcasing his plus fastball, which reached 97 MPH, while allowing just one hit over 3 innings and striking out 6.

The jury is still out on Kaprielian, but a healthy and successful spring can help to quit some of his doubters. Arizona Fall League manager Tom Goodwin likened Kaprielian to Jacob DeGrom in terms of stuff, while other scouts have used Homer Bailey as a pro comparison for Kaprielian. Somewhere in between the two seems more likely, which makes Kaprielian a front-line starter. All us fans ask is for him to stay healthy.

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