New York Yankees: Top five prospects in 2018

As promised in my introduction article to the current state of the Yankees farm system, here is the first five of my top 10 prospect rankings, with a disclaimer about a metric I used to evaluate some players.

**Note: Although not viewed as one of the five “tools” to evaluate prospects, I believe a player’s intangibles can be just as determinative to their future success as any one tool. For example, the Yankees Aaron Judge was always viewed as a mature, hard-working individual who was consistently able to make adjustments to overcome any slumps on his path to Yankees superstardom. The ability to make adjustments and think over the game separates him from other hulking sluggers who never experienced the level of success Judge had in his rookie season.

On the other hand, Michael Pineda was a former stud prospect with ace-potential who never panned out, mostly due to his inability to put away batters and finish off innings. Whether this was from lack of focus or lack of confidence, Pineda often was ahead in the count and often got the first two outs only to later lose his command and allow the opposing team to rally. Although it is hard to judge one’s character from a distance, some prospects, in particular, have certain habits or behaviors that have helped them stand out to evaluators. If there have been positive reports about a prospect’s character, I take note of this in my rankings and on a greater scale believe scouts should consider a player’s intangibles as a sixth tool to evaluate. Without further ado:

1. Gleyber Torres – 2B/SS/3B. Hit: 70 l Power: 55 l Run: 50 l Arm: 60 l Field: 60 l Overall: (20-80 scale): 65. 

The easiest choice of this list, Gleyber is one of the top prospects in the game who has been considered an untouchable by Brian Cashman since he acquired the now 21-year old Torres at the 2016 trade deadline. While he was likely to get called up last season until he got hurt, he is destined to take over second base in the near future, albeit after the Yankees gain another year of control based on service time rules.

Torres projects to be a .300+ hitter who has the potential to compete for batting titles while his power ceiling has continued to increase as he has matured into his frame, with some scouts believing he can provide 20+ homers annually. Given his exceptionally quick hands and innate ability to barrel up the baseball, Torres profiles as an exceptional top-of-the-order hitter while providing solid defense albeit without exceptional speed.

**Intangibles** Since signing for $1.7 million as an international amateur, Torres has been known for having an advanced approach at the plate while possessing the ability to recognize pitches early, something young players often struggle with when first exposed to professional pitching. His walk and strikeout rates have consistently improved as he’s shot up the minor league system while he has a knack for driving pitches on the outside part of the plate to right field. All in all, Gleyber’s advanced feel for the game portrays the aura of a future star.

2. Estevan Florial – OF. Hit: 45 l Power: 60 l Run: 70 l Arm: 65 l Field: 65 l Overall: 60.

The 20-year old centerfielder enjoyed a breakout season in both levels of class A this year, leading to his emergence in the top 50 on a number of top prospect lists (except Keith Law’s of ESPN). Florial had a unique beginning to his career, as he was prohibited from signing as an international free agent after discrepancies about his identity were discovered by MLB. Thus, he signed with the Yankees for a paltry sum of $200,000 the following year, while some believe he could have received around $2 million before the identity issue.

Since Florial grew up in Haiti, where baseball academies for top prospects to refine their skills at a young age are scarce, Florial’s game was always a bit raw. However, he started to put his enormous raw tools together in 2017 and the whole baseball industry took notice, perhaps most notably Brian Cashman.

Cashman has refused to part ways with Florial despite overtures from teams such as the Athletics, while not even allowing those discussions to begin with the Pirates and Tigers in potential deals for Gerrit Cole and Michael Fulmer. This is quite the statement considering Cashman was okay with including Clint Frazier and others in those deals.

Most likely, Cashman sees Florial as his center-fielder of the future, whose ETA of 2020 (or late 2019) coincides perfectly with the expiration of Aaron Hicks contract after the 2019 season. By then, Florial should be the final addition to a lineup littered with stars and potential stars at every other position. His left-handed swing should fit perfectly in Yankee stadium with the potential of a 30-30 player while also providing potential Gold Glove defense in center field.

**Intangibles** The one flaw Florial has right now is his ability to make consistent contact and recognize off-speed pitches. Given his international background, this shouldn’t be surprising as he was not exposed to advanced pitching at a young age. However, even given his contact issues, he still hit .298 with a .372 OBP across class A, showing the ability to make hard contact.

This underlies the reason I think the Yankees are extraordinarily high on this young man’s future: he is a notoriously hard worker who has made huge strides since first signing with the Yankees. Brett Gardner said about him this spring training:

“Just the way he carries himself, as much off the field as on the field. Very hard worker. Very focused. And he’s very, very talented, man. He’s got a lot of tools.”

Coaches rave about his work ethic, such as his Arizona Fall League manager Jay Bell, who believes Florial’s sixth tool is that he’s a wonderful human being. With continued experience and hard work, Florial has superstar potential.

3. Justus Sheffield – SP. Fastball: 60 l Slider: 65 l Changeup: 60 l Control: 50 l Overall: 60.

Continuing a recent trend for pitchers in the Yankees system, Sheffield has added velocity to his fastball since coming over from the Andrew Miller trade, sitting between 94-96 regularly with downward motion. After recovering from an oblique injury, Sheffield continued to make important strides refining his off-speed pitches, developing a power slider while working with an above-average to flashes of plus changeup.

Pegged safely as a number 3 starter upon his trade to the Yankees, he has changed his trajectory to potentially being a top-tier starter. Again, Cashman has taken notice and refused to include Sheffield in any trade packages, offering up Chance Adams instead. Sheffield must continue to improve his command, particularly with his fastball if he wants to reach his potential.

**Intangibles** The 21-year old lefty is again another raved about Yankees prospect, with scouts often praising his character and intelligence on the mound. One veteran Yankee scout was quoted saying:

“Wait until you get a chance to sit with this kid. I hear from everybody that he’s a great kid.”

Often criticized for his shorter stature standing at 5’11”, Sheffield makes up for his lack of size with sheer athleticism and a competitive nature while also demonstrating pretty sound mechanics. He’s been quoted the past two offseasons declaring that he was shooting for a spot in the Yankees rotation out of spring training. That was unrealistic but you could see that he feels like he belongs in the big leagues, a good sign for a young pitcher’s confidence.

CC Sabathia has taken a liking to the young lefty and could be a valuable mentor for Sheffield, who could become an option for the Yankees at the end of the season if he performs well.

5. Albert Abreu – SP. Fastball: 65 l Slurve: 55 l Changeup: 55 l Control: 50 l Overall: 55.

Yankee fans can thank Gary Sanchez for this potential stud pitching prospect because Albert Abreu was acquired in the offseason trade of Brian McCann to Houston. The move ended up netting the Yankees two top 100 pitching prospects (with Jorge Guzman now on the Marlins) according to some prospect lists.

Abreu impressed in the AFL, with a deceptive delivery and flashed three plus or better pitches with command. His fastball can hit triple digits and his breaking ball resembles something between a slider and a curve, both pitches capable of missing bats and inducing weak contact.

Next: State of the Yankees farm system

When at his best, Abreu flashes top-of-the-rotation potential but needs to be more consistent. Still some risk here that he doesn’t pan out as a starter, but if he doesn’t he has the repertoire of a dominant reliever. The Yankees hold Abreu in high regard but may be willing to deal him given his rising prospect status if the acquisition is right.