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Yankees: No Surprise – They Soar To The 2nd Best Farm System

By Steve Contursi

: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Yankees, not too long ago, were the laughing stock of baseball for having one of the worst farm systems in major league baseball. The laughs grew even louder as they continuously traded away their best prospects for the here and now. No more.

The Yankees, according to MLB.com, now have the 2nd best farm system in the majors, bested only by the Atlanta Braves.

In an updated list, Jim Callis certifies the Yankees in their new standing.

"Gleyber Torres is ranked as the team’s no. 1 prospect, which seems like a no-brainer at this point. He rounds out the top five with Clint Frazier, Blake Rutherford, Aaron Judge, and Jorge Mateo. He considers James Kaprielian and Justus Sheffield as the system’s top two pitchers. After his breakout season last year, Chance Adams has rocketed all the way up to no. 8 on the list. Dustin Fowler and Miguel Andujar come in at no. 9 and no. 10."

The next group of five players includes recently acquired Alber Abreu (No.11), shortstop Tyler Wade, who is expected to start at Triple-A this season, followed by Jordan Mongomery, Dillon Tate, and Domingo Acevedo.

In a question and answer session that appeared on Twitter and published by Pinstripe Alley, Callis offered some interesting insight on the Yankees organization and their farm system as a whole:

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On James Karprielian, Callis says:
“Kap might not end up being an ace, but Callis sees him as a strong no. 2 for the Yankees after his stuff saw improvement in pro ball. It’s also clear that he finds the right-hander to be a better pitcher than lefty Justus Sheffield, claiming Kap has a higher ceiling with the higher floor.”

Asked about Jorge Mateo, Callis offered this terse reply:
“Does Mateo have a future in the organization? Callis says he needs to grow up before we can know for sure.”

Contrary to what we see this Spring, on Billy McKinney he says:
“McKinney has been a prospect in free fall over the last few seasons. He has one of the best hit tools around, but the power is definitely going to be a problem, especially since he is not a good enough athlete to make up for it with his glove. Callis believes that even with his impressive spring so far, the best he can hope for is Tyler Austin-lite, which doesn’t sound like much.”

Names to look out for, Callis posted:
Jim Callis‏Verified account
@jimcallisMLB

Jim Callis Retweeted j
Hoy Jun Park. Dermis Garcia. Leonardo Molina. Healthy Billy McKinney. Trey Amburguey. Chris Gittens. Nick Nelson … and so on. @YankeesJim Callis added,
j @j_nyy
@jimcallisMLB Who is someone not on this list that you can see make a big jump next year like Austin did?
2:08 PM – 3 Mar 2017

All of which makes for a nice present from the Easter Bunny for the Yankees. As with all prospects, a few will make it and some will not. The difference this time for the Yankees, though, is that they won’t have to deplete their farm system when the time comes to cede prospects in a trade that yields major league ready talent.

Who would have known less than a year ago when the Yankees were struggling with a brittle but willing Mark Teixeira, an aging superstar in Alex Rodriguez, and an untested Didi Gregorius that the Yankees would be here now. It’s a tribute to the organization, and most especially Brian Cashman, who been the trigger man in every one of the moves that have brought the team to the point where they are now.

The trick now is to maintain the momentum, not make more than a few mistakes in judging talent, and to sneak in there again when a team is desperate for one of your players (read: Chicago Cubs/Aroldis Chapman).

Next: It's Beginning To Look A Little Crowded Around Here

Of course, all of this is for naught without that 28th World Championship.

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