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Yankees: Thoughts on top five pinstriped prospects

By Chris Northrop

BALTIMORE, MD - JUNE 12: A detailed view of a New York Yankees hat and baseball glove on third base as the New York Yankees play the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on June 12, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Baltimore Orioles won, 11-3. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - JUNE 12: A detailed view of a New York Yankees hat and baseball glove on third base as the New York Yankees play the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on June 12, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Baltimore Orioles won, 11-3. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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From Acevedo to Abreu

Acevedo finally gained command of his pitches in 2017, as his strikeout numbers rocketed and his walks plummeted. He struck out 124 while walking only 34 during that time.

Rob Terranova of Pinstriped Prospects describes Acevedo as:

"a three pitch pitcher with an electric fastball that’s touched 103 mph, but consistently attacked hitters at 94-98 mph last season.  He has an above-average change up which he throws at 87-88 mph and a developing slider which he throws at 85-87 mph."

With his ability to throw three effective pitches, Acevedo is on track to be a starter and is expected to open the season with Triple-A Scranton.

Albert Abreu

Albert Abreu is the No. 5 prospect on the Pinstriped Prospects’ top 75 prospect list. He is a 21-year-old right-hander who was acquired in the trade that sent Brian McCann to the Houston Astros.

Abreu is a power pitcher. His fastball sits in the mid-90s, occasionally touching the upper 90s, and he has three distinct secondaries: a changeup, slider and curve.

He quickly moved up from Low-A level Charleston to High-A Tampa in 2017 but was injured after six games in Tampa. He was out of the lineup from June 6 to August 10.

Similar to Sheffield, Abreu was sent by the Yankees to the Arizona Fall League to make up innings missed and was spectacular. Abreu was singled out along with Sheff as one of the two best pitchers there:

In Arizona, Abreu found success, posting a 2.60 ERA in 27 2/3 innings, while holding batters to a .219 average against him.

Abreu profiles to begin the season in either High-A Tampa or Double-A Trenton. Pinstriped Prospects compares Abreu to a younger version of Luis Severino, as he struggles to keep his emotions in check on the mound. Like a young Severino, Abreu has the stuff, but can he command it?

Next: Yanks' top 30 prospects, part 2

Of course being on a preseason list of highly regarded prospects is no guarantee of success in the big leagues. Whether or not these top talents make it with the big club or not out of Spring Training, fans are eager to get a look for themselves.

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