Yankees: 3 top prospects most likely to be traded this summer

1. Luis Medina

Luis Medina’s raw stuff is the stuff of legends, but perhaps this is an instance where the Yankees should sell high instead of waiting for the inevitable reversion.

Prospect evaluators have always dreamed on his riding fastball and ridiculous hook, but prior to this season, the jangly elements never fit together properly. In 2019, he walked 70 men in 103.2 innings pitched, posting an unsightly 5.47 ERA across two levels. Then he missed an entire season along with the rest of his cohorts, which you’d think would only exacerbate his issues.

Those who rank farm systems were undeterred, though, falling back on Medina’s natural talent … which has gotten him the boost to Double-A this year after nearly two very effective months.

In 42.2 innings across two levels, his ERA sits at 3.80, and he’s whiffed 65 men. The walks, unfortunately, are still a massive issue — he’s racked up 27 of them. Is Medina turning a corner? Will the stuff alone play at the upper levels in a starting role, or will he need to get that WHIP down and join the bullpen?

No team set up the way the Yankees are can afford to sacrifice upper-level pitching depth for nothing, but perhaps the walks indicate this season has been more same old, same old fool’s gold from Medina. The question isn’t whether or not he’s available; it’s whether some team believes in him as a big trade’s centerpiece rather than a secondary asset.

Perhaps the sooner the better here.

Yankees: 4 players Brian Cashman could sell at the trade deadline

The New York Yankees might have to sell at the trade deadline if the season continues on this current trajectory. Who should go if that happens?