Ranking Yankees prospects heading to Arizona Fall League

3. TJ Rumfield

The Yankees acquired TJ Rumfield this offseason in a trade with the Phillies that send Nick Nelson packing. In 52 games at High-A, the 22-year-old slashed .284/.381/.411 with 27 runs scored, 4 HR, 34 RBI and 4 SBs. He also held down the fort at first base nicely (only three errors in 354.2 innings).

The former 12th-round pick in 2021 got off to a hot start with the Bombers but then hit the 60-day injured list. His promising debut likely has the Yankees wondering about his potential, especially with no first baseman in the team’s top-30 prospects list.

2. Tyler Hardman

You know what else the Yankees don’t have in their top-30?! A third baseman! In comes Tyler Hardman, who … was once upon a time a third baseman, then got moved to first base, and is now back at third after spending 109 games there with the High-A Hudson Valley Renegades (107) and Double-A Somerset Patriots (2).

His defense wasn’t great, though — the former Oklahoma Sooner made 12 errors in 853.1 innings. Nonetheless, his willingness to switch positions has to have him in some sort of good favor, and it helps that he hit .256/.322/.468 with 22 bombs, 80 RBI and 14 stolen bags. The power and speed are there after taking massive leaps from his college days.

Hardman, originally drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 37th round back in 2017, was re-drafted by the Yankees in the fifth round last year (2021). He’s got good numbers for his first 143 games in the minor leagues and there’s likely hope he translates that against elevated talent.