New York Yankees: Ranking the Yankees Top 5 Pitching Prospects

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The New York Yankees already have two very good young arms in New York in Michael Pineda and Ivan Nova, but what about in the minor leagues?

Who do they have that can replace Hiroki Kuroda and Freddy Garcia after 2012 if they fail to trade for or sign a pitcher in free agency?

The Yankees are not known for having a strong farm system. and after trading Jesus Montero, their farm system did get a little weaker but they did get better pitching wise with the acquisition of Jose Campos.

Where does Campos and the rest of the Yankees' top pitching prospects rank? Let's find out.

Honorable Mention

Nik Turley (Single-A and Advanced-A Ball):
89.2 IP, 4-6, 2.81 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 87 K, 22BB 

Mark Montgomery (Low-A Ball and Single-A):
28.1 IP, 0-0, 1.91 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 51 K, 13 BB 

DJ Mitchell (Triple-A):
161.1 IP, 13-9, 3.18 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 112 K, 63 BB 

Graham Stoneburner (Rookie Ball, Advanced-A Ball and Double-A):
91.1 IP, 1-5, 4.04 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 61 K, 28 BB 

5. David Phelps

2011 Stats (Triple-A): 114.1 IP, 7-7, 2.99 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 27 BB, 99 K

David Phelps does not have electric stuff, but he finds a way to get it done. He has made three straight minor league All-Star appearances and has a very impressive 38-15 career record. Phelps does not have the same ceiling as some of the other Yankees pitching prospects, but he will eventually be a back-end-of-the-rotation pitcher.

Phelps probably will never get into the Yankees' rotation full-time, but a spot starter or middle reliever is not out of the question. He could also be used as a trade chip to upgrade at DH.

ETA: 2012

4. Adam Warren

2011 Stats (Triple-A): 152.1 IP, 6-8, 3.60 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 53 BB, 111 K

Adam Warren is very similar to David Phelps in that he does not have dominant stuff and does not have a very high ceiling. Warren did have a 2.59 ERA in Double-A in 2010 and has excellent control, but don't expect him to be much more than a back-end-of-the-rotation pitcher or middle reliever.

Warren is major league ready, but with no spot in the rotation or bullpen for him, he may have the same likely fate as David Phelps: sent packing at the trade deadline to help upgrade the Yankees.

ETA: 2012

3. Jose Campos

2011 Stats (Low-A Ball): 81.1 IP, 5-5, 2.32 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 85 K, 13 BB 

I will not even try to sound like an expert with Jose Campos.

He was traded to the New York Yankees in a deal that was finalized yesterday that sent Jesus Montero and Hector Noesi to Seattle in return for Campos and Michael Pineda.

From what I have heard the 6'4" 19-year-old righty can already hit 98 mph on the radar gun.

While Campos has a long way to go before he reaches the majors, he does have ace potential.

Not many teenagers with his size and velocity have pinpoint accuracy—see Banuelos, Manny—but Campos can, and if he can transition well to the higher minor league levels, he may even reach Double-A by the end of 2012 if all goes well, then he can be a dominant pitcher at the major league level.

ETA: 2014

2. Dellin Betances

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2011 Stats (Double and Triple-A): 126.1 IP, 4-9, 3.70 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 70 BB, 142 K

Dellin Betanes got a taste of the majors in late 2011 and did OK. In his first appearance, he was obviously nervous, walking four batters in 0.2 innings. But he settled down in his second appearance, his first start, pitching two shutout innings against the Tampa Bay Rays

Expect Betances to be back in Triple-A to start the season, but he will be back in New York by September when rosters expand. He has a mid-90s fastball along with an excellent curveball and incredible knuckle-curve give him the pure stuff to be a front-line starting pitcher in the near future.

ETA: 2011

1. Manny Banuelos

2011 Stats (Double and Triple-A): 129.2 IP, 6-7, 3.75 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 71 BB, 125 K

Manny Banuelos showed everybody he was the real deal by posting a 2.20 ERA in Spring Training 2011. On top of that, future Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera called him the best pitching prospect he'd ever seen.

The 20-year-old lefty was promoted to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season and showed flashes of brilliance, but was inconsistent and had control issues. Banuelos will start the season in Triple-A but expect him to be in New York when rosters expand in September.

Banuelos used to have excellent control, but his recent control issues stem from his jump in velocity over the last year. He should have his pinpoint control back within no time.

He has three plus pitches—a fastball, slider and changeup—that should propel him to stardom wants he reaches the majors.

Banuelos was recently ranked as the second best left-handed pitching prospect, behind only Matt Moore, by MLB.com.

He projects to be a No. 1 or No. 2 starting pitcher in the majors in a few years.

ETA: 2012