New York Yankees Top 10 MLB Prospects

Since publishing Prospect Pipeline's Top 50 Monday morning, I've received both positive feedback and criticism for my selective omission of several teams. As one commenter noted, I wasn't concerned with representing every team—which is absolutely true. My goal is to always assemble a sincere and justifiable Top 50; a ranking based solely on the players and not the organization as a whole.

Now that everyone has had the opportunity to read about baseball’s finest prospects, I have put together scouting reports on every team's Top 10 prospects.

Each morning I will publish at least one organizational ranking until I have thoroughly profiled every farm system in baseball.

Today, the series begins with the New York Yankees Top 10 prospects.

For those wondering about the criteria for these players' selections, please refer to my introduction of the Top 50.

Now, I fully understand that some of my rankings will generate criticism—and I welcome it. Given my background as a player, coach and scout, I may view players in a much different light than others. While I love players with flashy tools, I am not blinded by them. I don’t just look at stats; I scrutinize a hitter’s swing as much as I do a pitcher’s mechanics. What I’m trying to say is, I’m highly critical.

My Top 50, as well as my Top 10s, has been an enormous undertaking to which I have dedicated an obscene amount of time. Therefore, I want to hear from you, the readers. Please feel free to contact me with any questions, comments or criticism. You may share your thoughts in the comments section of this article, email me at [e-mail] or reach out to me on Twitter (@GoldenSombrero).

1. Manny Banuelos, LHP

Position: LHP                       

Height/Weight: 5'11", 155

DOB: 3/13/1991            

Bats/Throws: L/L

Drafted/Signed: 2008, Mexico

2011 Stats:

Double-A: 95.1 IP, 3.59 ERA, 4.01 FIP, 8.87 K/9, 4.91 BB/9, 0.66 HR/9

Triple-A: 34.1 IP, 4.19 ERA, 3.90 FIP, 8.13 K/9, 4.98 BB/9, 0.52 HR/9

Overview: As a 20-year-old, Banuelos struggled with his command at both Double and Triple-A in 2011. The left-hander possesses a swing-and-miss arsenal of pitches that he’s still learning to command. His fastball sits in the low 90s with more in the tank, and, as of now, his truest out pitch is a changeup with considerable fade.

He’s small in stature but has broad shoulders to go along with a quick arm. He repeats his mechanics well, so there’s plenty of reason to believe his command will improve. Pitching to more contact will help Banuelos minimize his pitch counts and in turn allow him to log more efficient innings in 2012.

Except to see the young left-hander make a mid-summer debut in the Bronx.

Top 50 Ranking: No. 28

ETA: 2012

2. Gary Sanchez, C

Position: C                       

Height/Weight: 6'2", 220

DOB: 12/2/1992           

Bats/Throws: R/R

Drafted/Signed: 2009, Dominican Republic

2011 Stats:

Single-A: .256/.335/.485, .229 ISO, 121 wRC+ (343 PA)

Overview: Gary Sanchez distinguished himself as one of the game’s top catching prospects in 2010 by slashing .353/.408/.597 to begin his professional career. Although the power still showed in 2011, he lacked consistency. Sanchez has easy, raw power to all fields thanks to pure bat speed, and he should hit for a decent average. He knows how to work the count, often to his own detriment, and struggles with quality off-speed offerings.

His receiving skills can be poor at times, and he can even come across as careless. Scouts think he will improve behind the plate enough to keep his bat there—ala Jesus Montero. He does have a plus arm that helped him gun down 31 percent of base stealers last season.

Sanchez could use some more time at Low-A to begin the season. But if he shows the same type of power that he did in 2011, he could be finish the season at High-A.

Top 50 Ranking: No. 46

ETA: 2015

3. Mason Williams, OF

Position: OF               

Height/Weight: 6'0" 150

DOB: 8/21/1991           

Bats/Throws: L/R

Drafted/Signed: 2010, fourth round (HS, Winter Garden, FL)

2011 Stats:

Low-A: .349/.395/.468, 28 SB, .119 ISO, 149 wRC+ (298 PA)

Overview: In his first professional season, Williams was ranked as the New York-Penn League’s top prospect after leading the league with the 28 steals and posting a .349 batting average. He is a toolsy player who is both extremely athletic and raw.

At the plate, Williams has quick wrists and solid hand-eye coordination, and a swing that projects for some power. Right now, he’s mainly an arms/upper body hitter, so the incorporation of his lower half could yield significant results.

He possesses nearly 80-grade speed that plays better in the outfield than it does on the basepaths. He has excellent range in center field and a strong enough arm to be considered for right field. In the running game, Williams has the speed but lacks the intuition of a polished base stealer.

Williams will begin the 2012 season at Low-A with a chance of a promotion to High-A at some point during the season. A strong season could place him in the Top 50 overall prospect discussion. 

ETA: 2015

4. Jose Campos, RHP

Position: RHP                      

Height/Weight: 6'4", 200

DOB: 7/27/1992           

Bats/Throws: R/R

Drafted/Signed: 2009, Venezuela

2011 Stats:

Low-A:  81.1 IP, 2.32 ERA, 2.38 FIP, 9.41 K/9, 1.44 BB/9, 0.44 HR/9

Overview: Acquired along with Michael Pineda in the trade that sent Jesus Montero to the Mariners, Campos has a big league arm and feel for pitching. In his first professional season in the United States, the right-hander’s 2.32 ERA and 85 strikeouts paced the Northwest League.

He’s primarily lived off of his plus fastball thus far, which sits in the 91-96 mph range and is thrown on a downward plane. For a lanky power pitcher, Campos has impressive control of the pitch, as he works both sides of the plate and aggressively attacks hitters.

He also features a curveball and changeup, with the breaker being a hard, downer type.  While his fastball is his bread and butter, Campos will need to improve his command of both offspeed pitches to further his success at higher levels.

The right-hander has No. 2 upside if he can remain a starter. If he’s unable to command three pitches, Campos also projects as a dominant closer.

He’ll head to Low-A to begin the 2012 season and could be the Yankees’ next big-time pitching prospect.

ETA: 2014

5. Dellin Betances, RHP

Position: RHP

Height/Weight: 6'8", 260

DOB: 3/23/1988           

Bats/Throws: R/R

Drafted/Signed: 2006, eighth round (HS, NY)

2011 Stats:

Double-A: 14.1 IP, 3.77 ERA, 3.97 FIP, 12.56 K/9, 1.88 BB/9

Triple-A: 21 IP, 5.14 ERA, 4.15 FIP, 11.57 K/9, 6.43 BB/9

MLB: 2.2 IP, 6.75 ERA, 2/6 K/BB

Overview: One thing that’s immediately noticeable about Bentances is that he’s large—very large, as in NFL lineman large. However, his size only occasionally wreaks havoc on his mechanics.

Betances hasn’t ascended the minor leagues as the Yankees hoped, but he still possesses a high ceiling thanks to a heavy, mid-90s fastball and average offspeed pitches. 

Although Betances' curveball is a hammer, he doesn’t throw it with enough consistency for it to be effective. His changeup is a plus offering at times, however, he struggles to replicate the arm action that makes it deceptive.

The right-hander’s mechanics and delivery appear to be an ongoing problem, and it has the potential to hinder his chances of being a big league starter. In all likelihood, Betances will end up in the bullpen where his big fastball and mediocre offspeed pitches are a more appropriate fit.

The big man made his Yankees debut last year and will surely be pitching in the Bronx again at some point during the 2012 season. However, he’ll likely be headed to Triple-A for the time being to (hopefully) refine his command.

ETA: 2011

6. Dante Bichette, Jr., 3B

Position: 3B                       

Height/Weight: 6'1", 215

DOB: 9/26/1992           

Bats/Throws: R/R

Drafted/Signed: 2011, first-round supplemental (HS, FL)

2011 Stats:

Rookie: .342/.446/.505, .163 ISO, 170 wRC+ (240 PA)

Overview: Son of the former mullet-sporting Colorado Rockies’ slugger, Bichette has a big-time bat much like his father. In his first professional season, he was named the MVP of the Gulf Coast League and garnered top-prospect honors.

A right-handed hitter, he is strong with above-average bat speed and an approach that’s advanced for his age. Bichette is a confident hitter who lets the ball travel deep and drives it to all fields. He has average power—mostly to the pull-side—that could be above-average once a little more loft is added to his swing.

Scouts have been skeptical about his ability to remain at third base, but he held his own last year, showing quiet athleticism, decent range and a strong arm. If he outgrows the position, Bichette should have enough pop in his bat to play a corner outfield spot.

His mature approach at the plate makes the Yankees confident that he’ll respond well to being challenged. Therefore, Bichette could be assigned to Low-A to begin the 2012 season with the potential to finish the year hitting in the Florida State League.

If he continues to hit and develops more power, Bichette could make his MLB debut ahead of schedule.  

ETA: 2015

7. Ravel Santana, OF

Position: OF                      

Height/Weight: 6'2", 175

DOB: 5/1/1992           

Bats/Throws: R/R

Drafted/Signed: 2008, Dominican Republic

2011 Stats:

Rookie: .296/.361/.568, 10 SB, .272 ISO, 160 wRC+ (185 PA)

Overview: Had it not been for teammate Dante Bichette, Jr., Santana would have been the No. 1 Gulf Coast League prospect. He already possesses four tools that grade out as a plus, and the other—his hit tool—is above average.

Despite possessing a wiry yet athletic frame, Santana is physically strong. He uses his strength to generate plus bat speed, and hits the ball with backspin to all fields. He’s vulnerable to quality offspeed pitches, but that’s something that will improve as he gets more at-bats.

Like teammate Mason Williams, Santana has the potential to stay in center field. A plus runner, he shows off considerable range in center field and sports one of the finest outfield arms in the lower minors. Due to his strong arm—which grades out as at least a 70—Santana is projectable in right field.

His 2011 season ended prematurely after he broke his ankle in late August, so don’t expect Santana to immediately regain his form. But when he does, the results could be spectacular. The Yankees will likely open the 2012 season playing for Staten Island in the New York-Penn League.

ETA: 2015

8. Angelo Gumbs, 2B

Position: 2B                       

Height/Weight: 5’11”, 195

DOB: 10/13/1992           

Bats/Throws: R/R

Drafted/Signed: 2010, second round (HS, Torrance, CA)

2011 Stats:

Low-A: .263/.332/.404, 11 SB, .141 ISO, 109 wRC+ (220 PA)

Overview: Another toolsy draft pick, Gumbs was primarily a shortstop and center fielder in high school and struggled with the transition to second base last season. He currently lacks the footwork and instincts to progress through the system at second base, so the 2012 season will be crucial towards his development at that position.

At the plate, Gumbs’ strength and quick-twitch muscles allow him to drive the ball with consistency to all fields. He flashed some power last season, which leads scouts to believe that it could be above-average by the time he reaches the Major Leagues. His plate discipline leaves something to be desired, especially when it comes to manipulating counts in his favor, but the Yankees believe it will vastly improve with experience.

If he continues to struggle at second base, he could also move back to the outfield where his tools would still be a premium. He’ll likely receive a promotion to Low-A to begin the 2012 season, where the Yankees anticipate he and shortstop Cito Culver will develop side-by-side. 

ETA: 2015

9. Austin Romine, C

Position: C                       

Height/Weight: 6'1", 195

DOB: 11/22/1988   

Bats/Throws: R/R

Drafted/Signed: 2007, second round (HS, Lake Forest, CA)

2011 Stats:

Double-A: .286/.351/.378, 0.92 ISO, 103 wRC+ (373 PA)

Triple-A: .133/.133/.133 (15 PA)

MLB: .158/.200/.158 (20 PA)

Overview: Despite the fact that he’s not an elite catching prospect, Romine made stops at three levels last season, including a nine-game stint in September with the Yankees. While Gary Sanchez stands out due to his bat, Romine is the opposite: He’s a defensively savvy backstop with A-plus receiving skills and a strong arm. However, the arm doesn’t translate in games as it should, as indicated by his 23 percent caught stealing rate in 2011.

A right-handed hitter, Romine possesses raw power that seldom appears in games. His hit tool is a solid average overall, but he’s still too streaky of a hitter. When he’s getting his front leg down and hitting off a firm front side, Romine flashes above-average potential with the bat. When he struggles with his timing, he generates too much weak contact and can be an easy out.

With Russell Martin and Francisco Cervelli blocking his path to big league playing time, Romine will return to Triple-A to develop more consistency in all facets of the game. With Gary Sanchez slated to be the team’s future catcher, it appears as though his window is gradually closing.

ETA: 2011

10. J.R. Murphy, C/3B

Position: C/3B                       

Height/Weight: 5'11", 195

DOB: 5/13/1991

Bats/Throws: R/R

Drafted/Signed: 2009, second round (HS, Bradenton, FL)

2011 Stats:

Single-A: .297/.343/.457, .160 ISO, 118 wRC+ (277 PA)

High-A: .259/.270/.365 (89 PA)

Overview: Although the Yankees aren’t quite sure where Murphy profiles defensively, his consistent bat will continue to open doors. He’s an excellent athlete who has moved up a level per season within the Yankees’ system.

Murphy is a line-drive hitter who consistently peppers the gaps, and scouts believe he should begin to hit for more power by adding loft to his level swing.  His plate discipline is advanced for his age, and his ability to barrel up the baseball will make his strikeouts tolerable.

His defensive skills behind the plate are lacking, but he’s steadily improved since entering the minor leagues. While his arm strength grades out as average, his release and accuracy are still raw. He’s an adequate receiver who is slowly learning he can’t solely be a bat-first catcher.

The Yankees will remain steadfast in their development of Murphy as a catcher, but given his sufficient speed, he should also receive reps at third base and in the outfield. After finishing the 2011 season at High-A, Murphy will head back there to begin the 2012 season.

ETA: 2014