Estevan Florial's early-season homer blitz could increase his trade value for Yankees

The New York Yankees' decision to designate Estevan Florial for assignment earlier this season was a sign that the team had essentially given up on trying to make him a viable MLB player. Once a top prospect on the fast track to stardom, Florial had to slink back to Triple-A Scranton in shame after clearing waivers, untouched by the rest of the league.

Florial's best path to a consistent role in the pros will likely be with another team that is willing to spend time and developmental energy into helping his bat become a weapon against major league pitching. Failing that, Florial's career could hit another major speed bump.

Teams like the Cubs and Pirates managed to take Jackson (Clint) Frazier and Miguel Andújar off the Yankees' hands, so it is incumbent on Florial to strut his stuff and show that he is worth investing in. After returning to the RailRiders, he's actually managed to put together some inspiring performances.

Florial cranked a pair of home runs in Scranton's win over the Syracuse Mets on Tuesday night. While this may not be revolutionary for Yankees fans that have become used to Florial raking in Triple-A, some teams may take it as a sign that he is making strides as a hitter. Is a trade in the works?

Yankees OF Estevan Florial is mashing in Triple-A

Florial will give whichever teams call him up next a plus outfield glove and tons of speed. The bat has been his issue in the pros, as all the power he shows off in the minors often goes away whenever he is called up to the majors. You couldn't find a more "Quad-A" player than this.

Florial hit just .185 in the pros, with a 3-for-31 stint in the 2021 season officially putting the nail in the coffin. Considering that he was one thought of as a nigh untradeable prospect, it is more than fair to say his star has fallen quite a bit.

Rather than keep trying to make Florial work, the Yankees acquired outfielder Franchy Cordero. With 10 RBI through 11 games and three home runs (which have all knocked in multiple runs), Cordero has surpassed not just Florial, but Aaron Hicks as well.

The Yankees may be done with Florial, but the league is almost assuredly going to give him one more crack at trying to make a roster.

It remains to be seen if this is an effective strategy, but that won't stop Florial from trying everything to get that one final crack at MLB glory.