Yankees: 4 Unexpected Prospects Who Will Contribute in 2020

The New York Yankees will have to make use of their strong prospect pool in 2020.

Heading into a 2020 season unlike any other, the New York Yankees will have to utilize their prospect depth in ways they never intended to.

Without a minor-league season, some of the team’s high-ceiling pitching prospects may need to follow the Joba Chamberlain path for one strange summer only, joining the big league bullpen, moving from the 60-man pool to the bigs.

Some of the Yankees’ relief prospects, too, might need to prepare to jump a level or two, especially after proving a little something during Summer Camp.

Expect the unexpected this season. These four Yankees might be a bigger part of your summer than you thought they’d be.

4. Nick Nelson

The Yankees may rely on Nick Nelson’s advanced feel, and he showcased it Monday night.

Nick Nelson likely wasn’t a hot commodity for many fans prior to his emergence in Monday night’s exhibition finale, but the moderately-heralded pitching prospect put himself on a lot of fans’ radar. It goes without saying that his inclusion in Monday’s game also said plenty about the way the organization views him.

Currently ranked by MLB Pipeline as the team’s 16th-best prospect, Nelson could become essential in the big league bullpen in a hurry.

A starter by trade, he dotted 98 at the corners and followed with a side-winding changeup in 1.2 scoreless innings against the Phillies.

Nelson turned heads on Monday and, until Mike Ford sent the game into oblivion, surprisingly dominated the social media conversation. New York will probably find a way to use him on their shuttle.