Jackson's a good prospect, but not the great one some think he is. I'm not especially wowed by his AA numbers and his big 67 game stretch with Tampa in 2007 seems like a bit of an outlier. In those 67 games—spanning 238 at-bats—he hit .345/.398/.566 with 31 XBH. That's a level he hadn't approached before and hasn't since.
He's a good bet to start 2009 in AAA-Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and could see time in the Bronx later in the season. With Damon and Matsui aging, and with Melky Cabrera not proving to be much of an answer, Jackson has a chance to claim a starting job in the next year or two. He's not likely to become a true impact player, but rather a solid everyday guy.
4. Dellin Betances, RHP, 3/23/1988 - Betances is a native of Brooklyn, NY and was chosen in the eighth round of the 2006 draft. The first thing that stands out about him is his size—he's 6'8" and weighs 245 pounds—and he backs it up with a mid-90s fastball, as well as a curveball.
Betances has battled injuries in each of the last two seasons—an inflamed pitching elbow in 2007 and an undisclosed ailment that knocked him out for nearly a month early in the 2008 season.
But he finished 2008 strong and managed to throw 122 innings on the year, 115.1 for Charleston and the rest while rehabbing with the Gulf Coast League Yankees. He limited opposing batters to a .208 BAA, walked 59, and struck out 135.
Betances seemed to take a step forward after the All Star break. Before it, he had a 40/64 BB/K in 55 innings. After it, he had a 19/71 BB/K in 60.1 innings. Notice the major drop in walks while keeping an excellent strikeout rate. Betances could have a breakout season in 2009 if he can maintain that progress.
The biggest thing he needs to do is put together an injury-free season. He's likely join the Tampa Yankees for 2009, but is at least a couple years away from being a factor for the Yankees.
5. Mark Melancon, RHP, 3/28/1985 - After going to the Yankees in the ninth round of the 2006 draft, the Arizona product missed all of the 2007 season due to Tommy John surgery.
He's hardly missed a beat. His fastball remains in the low-to-mid-90s and he complements it with a power curve that ranks among the best in the organization.
Melancon began the season with Tampa and ended it in AAA, an impressive rise through the minors. All told, he got into 44 games, tossed 95 innings, allowed 69 hits, 22 walks, and fanned 89. Great numbers and even better was the fact he was healthy enough to throw 95 innings.
He has a chance to open 2009 with the Yankees and could quickly stabilize their middle relief corps. He has the potential to be the Yankees closer after Rivera retires, but Rivera has two years left on the three year contract extension he signed after the 2007 season.
NOTE: Only players with no more than 130 AB/50 IP in the majors qualify for this list.
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