Yankees Prospects with the Best Chance of Cracking the Opening Day Roster

The New York Yankees are in a unique position this season as they find themselves with holes to fill during spring training and it appears they will look in house to do it.

The catcher position is currently up for grabs in the Bronx, so that means it's anyone's guess who ultimately comes away with it. Also, the injury to Curtis Granderson has left a hole in left field that must be filled.

Let's take a look at some Yankee prospects who could be ready to step up and play on the big league squad in 2013.

Austin Romine, Catcher

As it stands now the Yanks have four options at catcher: Francisco Cervelli, Chris Stewart, Austin Romine and Bobby Wilson.

None of these options are that attractive, so that leaves the starting and reserve jobs wide open going into spring training.

Romine has a decent shot at making the Opening Day roster in one way or the other, although he is nowhere near a lock at the moment. The biggest problem for Romine is that his bat is suspect and he could end up being sent back down if he can't prove to be successful at the plate this spring.

The young backstop has been more well-known for his glove in recent years and that could land him a backup role on this team. But again, he's still a dark horse candidate thanks to his lack of major-league experience, so he'll have to really shine in a big way on either offense, defense or both to win out.

While he has a chance to become the Yanks' catcher this season, I certainly don't expect Romine to beat out the other three catchers.

Zoilo Almonte, Outfielder

Almonte is one of the many candidates who could replace the injured Granderson when the season starts.

The 23-year-old had a solid showing in Double-A Trenton last season with 21 homers and 70 RBI with a .277 batting average. Almonte did strike out 103 times in 419 at-bats, but luckily for Almonte he would be replacing a strikeout machine in Granderson, so that number actually looks appealing.

Almonte also had speed on the basepaths after totaling 15 steals last season and that should help him cover ground in the outfield.

In spring training thus far, Almonte has one homer and two RBI in four at-bats, so he's off to a solid start in regard to showing his power.

If the Yanks are looking to get younger and more athletic, Almonte can be the right step in that direction should he win a spot on the roster. Combined with his speed and power, Almonte is one of the more promising options New York has in the mix.

Melky Mesa, Outfielder

Mesa is another young player the Yanks may be able to count on to give them an infusion of speed and power on the big-league roster.

Mesa hit .264 with 23 homers and 67 RBI between Double- and Triple-A last season, but his Triple-A average of .230 was very Granderson-like, as well as his 118 strikeouts in 458 total at-bats.

Still, Mesa has what Almonte doesn't: experience at a higher level of baseball.

The 26-year-old also has good speed that will help him cover the outfield at Yankee Stadium and he also stole 22 total bases in 2012.

In spring training thus far, Mesa has one hit in seven at-bats with a stolen base. If he wants to make the big league roster, Mesa must pick up his offensive numbers quickly or else he'll find himself back in the minors once again in favor of some of the other options New York has.

Ronnier Mustelier, Outfielder

Mustelier has been in the Yanks' minor league system for the past two seasons and he appears to be New York's best hope at replacing Granderson with a good young hitter.

The 28-year-old has posted a career .324 average in the minors and he hit an impressive .303 in 347 at-bats at the Triple-A level last season. In total, Mustelier compiled 15 homers, 69 RBI and a .314 average between both Double- and Triple-A.

At the moment, Mustelier looks like the best mix of power and hitting ability of all the Yanks' younger options, and he's even a decent base stealer, totaling 10 last year.

Mustelier also played the majority of his time in Triple-A in left field, so he's already primed to play the position if need be. It's pretty incredible we haven't heard a lot more about this prospect considering the impressive numbers he's posted in the minors.

In four at-bats in spring training thus far, Mustelier has one hit and will look to build a good resume as the spring continues. I feel he's got the best chance to make the roster of all the Yanks' minor league choices as long as his game translates against big league competition.