Yankees top-30 prospects Part 1; a short look
No. 26 Jonathan Loaisiga
Loaisiga was a relatively unknown prospect until the Yankees decided to protect him in this year’s Rule 5 Draft. The Yankees pulled him out of the dumpster after the Giants released him in 2015.
After Tommy John surgery in 2016, Loaisiga must have flashed something in ’17 for the Yankees to stick him on the 40-man roster. What he has is an excellent repeatable fastball. Per Baseball America.
"[Loaisiga] has the potential for three solid or better pitches. He has a quick arm that generates 92-97 mph fastballs with life down in the strike zone. He also throws a hard curveball in the low 80s and a changeup that can get a bit firm in the upper 80s, albeit with promising fade. With a sound delivery that he repeats well, Loaisiga walked just three batters in 32 2/3 innings in 2017. With his repertoire and his control, he has the necessary ingredients to make it as a starter, but his size and health history are major concerns. If the Yankees do shift him to the bullpen, his stuff should play up and he could advance very quickly."
This report seems promising enough that the Yankees may have been smart in holding on to the 23-year-old. However, at his age and never having pitched above Staten Island, he might not crack the big leagues until he is at least 25.
No. 25 Luis Medina
Luis Medina is a work in progress for the Yankees. He has the “stuff,” but his control isn’t there yet. Baseball America gives Medina the best curveball in the Yankees’ system. The results, however, haven’t been there. His K:BB rate was a high 24:39 and he had an ERA over five in 2017.
However, with a fastball that can touch triple digits and a devastating curveball, his raw stuff is undeniable. MLB.com gave him a 75 score on his fastball.
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As such, Baseball America ranked him much higher as the Yankees’ No. 8 prospect. At only 18-years-old, Medina has a lot of time to develop. Right now scouts see him as more of a “thrower” than a pitcher.
However, as he develops Medina will likely shake this reputation with the help of more and more advanced pitching coaches.
We all know that “stuff” doesn’t necessarily translate into big league success (just ask Michael Pineda). But with stuff like that, at only 18, if all goes well in his development he might get a shot to start in the bigs — one day. If he can’t overcome his control issues, he may never get a shot in the majors.