Yankees: 7 Prospects New York Can Afford to Trade in Blockbuster Deals

5. Luis Gil

The Yankees could look to upgrade their MLB rotation by trading some top pitching prospects.

One of the most electric arms in the Yankees system, Luis Gil excelled in Single-A/High-A ball last season. He landed on New York’s 40-man roster and projects to be a power arm in the near future. While it’s still unclear if he can hold down a role in the rotation, his stuff should translate to the bullpen at the very least.

Gil’s mid-to-high 90s fastball and power breaking ball are impressive. Last season he combined to post a 2.72 ERA in 20 starts, striking out an impressive 123 batters in 96 innings.

In a year or two, Gil could be a weapon in what is a veteran-heavy Yankees bullpen. However, New York boasts plenty of power arms in their system, so don’t be surprised if rival execs ask about the young right-hander.

4. Albert Abreu

Albert Abreu entered the 2020 season on the cusp of the big league roster. Sent over to New York as a part of the Brian McCann trade in 2016, Abreu spent all of 2020 with the Trenton Thunder and is on the 40-man roster.

But he managed a subpar 4.28 ERA in 20 starts, striking out 91 in 96.2 innings. On top of that, Abreu’s concerns revolve around his health. He has had problems toeing the rubber every five days making him a questionable option as a starter in the future. Like Gil, Abreu displays bullpen-quality pitches.

The 24-year-old’s time as a prospect will be winding down. If he cannot break through to the Major League roster this season, he certainly could land a role on a team looking for a controllable arm.

3. Luis Medina

Believe it or not, Luis Medina topped 100 MPH at just 16 years old. However, his arm talent has yet to translate into success on the mound. Through four seasons in New York’s minor league system, his ERA sits at 5.51. Although his 217 strikeouts through 183.0 innings are quite impressive, his 144 walks are concerning.

Clearly, Medina has a ton of work to do in the control department. The Yankees do have him protected on the 40-man roster, but he likely has a year or two before he will get a serious look at the big leagues.

If Medina is able to harness his pitches and gain control, he may become a star, but the Yankees shouldn’t be banking on that, especially if including him in a trade package will help them land talent to chase a ring.