Yankees top-30 prospects Part 1; a short look
No. 22 Billy McKinney
Acquired in the Aroldis Chapman trade to the Cubs, McKinney had at times been a top-100 prospect in all of baseball. A couple of down years and a blocked position reduced him to an after-thought.
However, in an attempt to increase his stock, the Yanks shifted him over to first base and may take over there in the case of another Bird injury.
McKinney’s overall production took a significant step forward in 2017. His OPS shot up from .770 in half a year at Double-A Trenton to .877 in Triple-A Scranton. He hit a career-high 16 home runs, with 10 of them coming for the RailRiders. McKinney may compete with 26-year-old Tyler Austin this spring for the backup first baseman’s job.
No. 21 Ben Heller
Heller has made a couple of brief appearances in the Bronx via the Scranton shuttle. However, with six spots in the bullpen basically guaranteed, that leaves one place for a pitcher like Heller.
Chasen Shreve currently has the advantage as he is a lefty in a righty-heavy pen. With Heller’s plus fastball and solid slurve, he could be an outstanding major league reliever, and he is indeed major league ready.
However, Heller is blocked. Don’t be surprised if Heller is included in whatever trade the Yankees make in the next month or by the July 31 deadline.