Yankees top-30 prospects Part 1; a short look

Last week I took a look at some of the under-appreciated prospects in the Yankees system. Now we’re going to get to see some of the candidates who may not be well known but still have a chance to contribute to the club.

If the Yankees stay put for the rest of this offseason, and that’s a big if, the farm system will look the same as it does now come Spring Training.

I have said before that the Yankees’ farm system is incredibly deep. This means that a player who might otherwise be in the top-30 is left out. As such, a couple of honorable mentions are in order.

While very few Yankee players in the minor leagues are known outside of the top-30, a couple of their names might ring a bell.

Jio Orozco

Orozco is a long way from MLB; he has yet to pitch in High-A Tampa. Orozco was acquired in the Ben Gamel to the Mariners trade back in 2016. He enjoyed a solid year in his first full professional season.

Orozco was seen as a high upside lottery ticket when the Yanks acquired him. This is MLB.com’s scouting report on his at the time.

"His fluid arm action and clean delivery allow him to pitch to both sides of the plate with his 91-94 mph fastball, while his extension through the ball gives it some sinking action. Orozco’s curveball has above-average potential, thrown from an over-the-top slot with good arm speed, creating a 12-to-6 shape with depth, and he also shows good feel for a changeup, giving him the chance for three average-or-better offerings."

Still only 20, it will be a while before we see Orozoco in the majors and even then it might only ever be as a reliever.

JP Feyereisen

A reliever by trade, Feyereisen has steadily climbed through the minors since he started playing professional ball in 2014. While his gaudy 10.5 career K/9 rate makes it look like he can be a top-notch reliever, those numbers are often inflated in the minors, especially with relievers.

Feyereisen mostly relies on his fastball, which can reach triple digits, to overpower his opponents. He is, however, working on his slider and doing what he can to develop it into a real secondary pitch.

If he does, Feyereisen may find himself on the Scranton shuttle as he has pitched half a season in Triple-A already.

Kyle Holder

Holder is a left-handed hitting shortstop who was drafted by the Yankees in the first round in 2015. While he has never lived up to the hype of a real first rounder, Holder has consistently hit for average and finished 2017 in Tampa with an OPS of 1.016.

At 23, Holder will likely start the new season in Double-A Trenton.  Without any real power, Holder probably tops out as a utility or backup infielder. With the plethora of infielders the Yankees already have, he likely never plays in the Bronx but may wind up on another club via trade.