Do Yankees have another fast-rising prospect thanks to Arizona Fall League performance?

You’ve all heard plenty about Austin Wells and his impressive start to his professional career with the New York Yankees after being taken in first round of the 2020 MLB Draft.

But what about the guys that fell victim to the shortened event that year due to the COVID-19 pandemic? Indiana’s Elijah Dunham was one of them. He went “undrafted” after the five mandated rounds, but no doubt would’ve been a selection in any normal situation.

Alongside Wells, Dunham has been dominating in the Arizona Fall League, which is an assortment of the best/most promising prospects in the game. How did Dunham get here?! You probably hadn’t even heard of him before last week.

Well, in his first pro season, he made it to High-A Hudson Valley on that stacked squad after spending 29 games with Single-A Tampa and hit .263 with an .825 OPS while playing every outfield position.

His debut campaign featured 93 games, during which he recorded 72 runs scored, 13 homers, 57 RBI and 28 stolen bases. Wow.

In 11 Arizona Fall League games, he’s hitting .395 with a 1.251 OPS (four doubles, two homers and 10 RBI) in addition to seven stolen bases. He’s walked 10 times and struck out just twice.

Is Elijah Dunham the Yankees’ next fast-rising prospect?

Looking at Dunham’s college stats, it’s hard to believe where the power and speed came from. He hit just nine homers and stole six bases in 94 career games at Indiana. His performance in the summer New England Collegiate Baseball League showed more of what he’s capable of. In 73 games, he hit 13 homers and stole 18 bags.

Maybe the guy just likes hot weather? He dominated for Tampa in his first 29 games, enjoyed the summer in the Hudson Valley, and is now shining in the desert.

In addition to his bat, he made just three errors in 745.2 innings playing all three outfield positions in what can be considered a transition since he began his time at Indiana as a first baseman.

The Yankees’ farm system continues to wildly impress in ways fans could’ve never imagined. It’s just a shame all of these defensively versatile sluggers who hit from the left side of the plate couldn’t contribute in 2020 or 2021 and likely won’t in 2022.

That’s what this team needs right now.

Yankees: How would a big-time SS signing impact Anthony Volpe?

Depending on which shortstop the Yankees end up signing, their plan for top prospect Anthony Volpe could change in dramatic fashion.