Listed below are the top 5 prospects in the New York Yankees organization as ranked by Jason Parks and Baseball Prospectus. To view the full feature, please visit this link.
Prospect rankings primer
Last year's Yankees list
The Top Ten
- C Gary Sanchez
- RHP Jose Ramirez
- C J.R. Murphy
- CF Slade Heathcott
- RF Tyler Austin
- CF Mason Williams
- 1B Gregory Bird
- 3B Eric Jagielo
- LHP Ian Clarkin
- OF Aaron Judge
1. Gary Sanchez
Position: C
DOB: 12/02/1992
Height/Weight: 6’2” 220 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Acquired: International free agent, 2009, Dominican Republic
Previous Ranking: #1 (Org), #47 (Top 101)
2013 Stats: .250/.364/.380 at Double-A Trenton (23 games), .254/.313/.420 at High-A Tampa (94 games)
The Tools: 6+ power potential; 7 arm
What Happened in 2013: Sanchez finally reached the Double-A level, but the reviews were mixed on the high-ceiling talent, both at the plate and behind it.
Strengths: Big raw power; gets excellent extension and shows impressive opposite field pop; controlled aggression at the plate; can identify balls/strikes; arm is very strong; easy plus-plus arm strength; above-average catch/throw skills.
Weaknesses: Makeup concerns; hitter-first approach to the game; swing has some miss (in the zone); struggles against arm-side stuff; hit tool might bring game power down; well below-average run; receiving skills are still underdeveloped.
Overall Future Potential: 6; first-division player
Realistic Role: 5; major-league regular (1st base/DH)
Risk Factor/Injury History: Moderate risk; limited Double-A exposure; dual-threat development.
Bret Sayre’s Fantasy Take: A bigger deal than any other positional difference, the drop from catcher to first base eligibility is like falling out a three-story window. If Sanchez plays behind the plate (regardless of how well), he has top-five upside at the position with his potential 25-homer power. If he has to move off the position, he’s just another corner infielder. Perhaps interestingly, his strikeout rate has dropped by around five percentage points at each level since Low-A. Then again, perhaps not.
The Year Ahead: Sanchez was once considered a premier prospect—a dual threat player with plus potential behind the plate and middle-of-the-order power in the stick. While he’s still a top 101 prospect in the game, his stock has slipped, and several scout sources continue to question his baseball makeup, and the likelihood that he reaches his tool-based ceiling. If the receiving can continue to take steps forward, he has the arm to offer impact on defense. However, Sanchez’s future is tied to his bat, and if the power can play against high-end pitching, his prospect stock will once again soar.
Major league ETA: Late 2014
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