Yankees state of the system: Catchers

High-A

The Yankees’ only legitimate catching prospect is 21-year-old Donny Sands, who wrapped up his 2017 season with 17 games in Tampa. A converted third baseman, Sands was the Yanks’ 8th round pick in 2015.

Sands spent most of 2017 in Charleston but tore up the Florida State League following the promotion. It’s a small sample, but he still hit .306/.353/.484. Given a full year at the High-A level, Sands’ bat makes him intriguing.

He was pegged as the team’s 23rd best prospect at the end of last season by MLB.com.

Sands has the tools to be an above-average defensive catcher, but with only 119 career games behind the plate, he’s going to need more reps. He has a smooth right-handed swing but features mostly gap-to-gap power. However, his 6’2″ frame suggests he might develop into more of a power hitter later on.

Low-A

23-year-old Ryan Lidge was the team’s 20th round pick last summer out of Notre Dame. After seven games with rookie-level Pulaski, the Yankees promoted him to Single-A Charleston where batted an obscene .383 with a .500 OBP in 47 at-bats. Lidge should reprise his role as the RiverDogs’ starter in 2018.