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Yankees boast six prospects in Baseball America’s Top 100

By Mike Calendrillo

Miguel Andujar (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Miguel Andujar (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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On Monday, Baseball America unveiled their annual ranking of the Top 100 prospects in baseball. To no one’s surprise, Yankees farmhands account for six spots.

For the past 18 months or so, we’ve known that the Yankees have one of the deepest, most robust minor league systems in the game. We’re also aware that a slew of midseason trades in 2017 took a bit of starch out of what used to be the No. 2 overall system in baseball.

However, no one is questioning the moves general manager Brian Cashman made before July 31, not since the club made it within one win of a World Series appearance anyway.

Despite trading away top talents like Blake Rutherford, Jorge Mateo, James Kaprielian and Dustin Fowler; Baseball America, which is synonymous with high-level scouting of the games future stars, still ranked six Baby Bombers within the Top 100, three of which are top 50.

Tied for the second-most ranked prospects alongside the Brewers, Padres and Rays — only the Braves outclass the competition with a stunning eight names on the list; highlighted by No. 1 overall prospect and reigning Arizona Fall League MVP, Ronald Acuna.

As for the Yanks, former No. 1 prospect Gleyber Torres slides down to No. 6 to begin 2018. Considering Torres missed most of last season following Tommy John surgery to his non-throwing elbow, he’s still the top shortstop on the board, regardless of the fact it looks like he’ll play a different position in the Bronx.

Coming in at No. 38 is 20-year-old Estevan Florial. Having yet to play a single game above High-A Tampa, I was a bit surprised by his elevated ranking. However, if you’ve been following the storyline of the Haitian born outfielder, then you’re well aware that scouts regard him as a five-tool star in the making.

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If Florial can cut down on his strikeouts in 2018, it’s possible the uber-talented left-handed hitter cracks the Top 15 by season’s end.

Justus Sheffield is the Yanks’ first pitcher to appear in the rankings. At No. 41, Sheffield is fifth overall southpaw and seems to have jumped Clint Frazier as the crown jewel of 2016s Andrew Miller trade.

Slated to begin the season at Triple-A Scranton, Sheffield has increased the velocity on his fastball, as he was clocked at 98 mph during the AFL. This time last year, Sheffield was ranked at No. 91.

Miguel Andujar, whom many fans are rooting for the win the Opening Day third base job appears at No. 59. Known more for his electric stick than his developing glove, Andujar is the third overall third baseman in the group.

At 22, it appears Andujar will get a legit shot during Spring Training to prove to the masses that the Yanks don’t need to make a high-priced run at free-agent-to-be Manny Machado next winter.

The Yankees’ first right-hander to crack the Top 100 is Albert Abreu. Acquired in the Brian McCann to the Astros trade, Abreu is ranked at No. 77 and according to general manager Brian Cashman, at 21, is more advanced than Luis Severino was at the same age.

The final Yankee to make the list is Chance Adams. A consummate winner all across the minor leagues, Adams’ ranking at No. 81 leaves me a bit perplexed. It appears that the longer Adams stays down on the farm, the more questions are posed as to whether he’s better suited for the rotation or bullpen.

One would hope at 23, having already excelled at Triple-A, the Yankees would have a clear path cut for Adams.

Next: Yankees are set with starting pitching

Some of the notable prospects to fall outside the Top 100 include pitchers, Domingo Acevedo, Luis Medina and Freicer Perez. As for the ones that got away, or in this case were traded away, Jorge Mateo ranks No. 64, Jorge Guzman No. 87 (part of the Giancarlo Stanton deal) and Dustin Fowler No. 88.

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