Under the Radar Yankees Prospects: Outfielder Trey Amburgey

Yanks Go Yard is combing through the New York Yankees minor league system in search of hidden gems in this ongoing series. Today, we look at outfielder Trey Amburgey.

Limited to just 68 games in 2016 because of a hamstring injury that cost him two months of the regular season, New York Yankees minor league outfielder Trey Amburgey lost some of the momentum he built up with his strong 2015 campaign, but still has all the tools to establish himself as a quality MLB contributor down the road.

Selected in the 13th round in the 2015 draft, Amburgey was one of several Yankees late-round picks to make big impressions in their professional debuts last year. In 238 plate appearances split between New York’s Gulf Coast League affiliate and short-season Staten Island, Amburgey hit .346/.399/.523 with five home runs and 21 stolen bases.

Although he is solidly built at 6’2 210 lbs, Amburgey possesses plus speed for his size. He’s mostly played the outfield corners as a professional, but there is an outside chance he could end up in center because of his natural quickness. He doesn’t have the arm to play right, so at the moment he’s probably best suited for left field.

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Amburgey has solid contact skills, an advanced approach at the plate, and emerging power potential to compliment his already impressive wheels. He’ll never be a standout defensively, but his offensive potential is truly exciting for a late round pick.

The Yankees have a ton of outfield talent in the upper-minors, which could slow Amburgey’s climb to the big leagues and/or ultimately make him trade bait. He hit just .279/.304/.353 in 204 plate appearances for High-A Tampa after returning from injury this year, so could probably use at least a tune-up in the Florida State League to begin next year before advancing to Double-A.

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The 22-year-old did manage to crack MLB Pipleline’s most recent 2016 Prospect Watch in the 27th spot despite his poor showing this year. He’s got a long climb ahead of him, but this could be the year that he really breaks out and establishes himself among the organization’s truly elite talents.