Five Yankees Prospects Who Could Make an Impact in 2017
![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](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fyanksgoyard-com-2Ffiles-2F2016-2F09-2F9378717-clint-frazier-mlb-all-star-game-all-star-futures-game-850x560-3a9188b052d2fe8243753e0dacd29602.jpg)
Jordan Montgomery
Another solid but unspectacular prospect who had a break-out year in 2016, Jordan Montgomery pitched at Double-A for most of the year, but ended the season in Triple-A. Montgomery posted his best numbers yet, combining for a 14-5 record with a 2.13 ERA in 139.1 innings. In six starts at Triple-A, Montgomery allowed just four earned runs in 37 innings, good for a 0.97 ERA.
He was so good with Scranton that he started the Triple-A version of the World Series, The Governor’s Cup, which Scranton won. A lefty from the University of South Carolina, Montgomery pairs his 90-94 MPH sinking fastball with an above-average changeup, mixing them effectively.
Expect Montgomery to begin the year back in Scranton, one phone call away from making a spot-start in the Bronx. Montgomery was a 4th round draft pick after serving as the ace of South Carolina’s staff in his sophomore and junior seasons.
Scouts have been impressed by Montgomery’s new-found velocity, and believe that, along with his ability to repeat his delivery, will keep Montgomery as a starter at the next level.
Next: These Yankees are Primed for Breakouts in 2017
Montgomery profiles best as a back-of-the-rotation starter, but scouts do believe that his increased velocity could propel him to the level of a mid-rotation starter, something the Yankees clearly lacked last year.