Scouting Book: Top Yankees Baseball Prospects for 2008-2009

Top New York Yankees Prospects for 2008-2009

As always, our Prospect Rankings change very often, to reflect the latest and most promising prospects for the new season as the season approaches. We consider a prospect's chances to impact the team most, soonest as our biggest priority, and while our rankings incorporate opinions from other publications, we adjust to emphasize likely fantasy production. If, after considering all that, you still disagree with where we've placed these players, check back tomorrow: these listings update every day as we include new input and MLB situations evolve.

Our 10 Top Yankees Prospects for Early 2009

Current Overall SB ranking for 2009 shown in parentheses.

1. Austin Jackson

OF, NYY (#34 overall)

Another very young Yankees prospect who's frustrated scouts by only showing flashes of his tremendous potential, Jackson remains the brightest potential bat in the New York stable.

Promoted from the South Atlantic League to the Florida State League in 2007, he started to show the ability to hit to all fields, but he's still not ready for the big-time. He put in a full season at AA Trenton last year, hitting .285 .354 .419 and showing some wheels with 19 steals in 25 attempts, but his power (only 9 homers in over 500 at-bats) hasn't yet caught up to his other tools. He looks solid in the field, though, and his natural speed should produce better and better base-stealing numbers as he learns the craft.

He's still not ready for 2009, but if his bat can catch up to his speed and defense, he'll have a strong future with the Yankees, or in one of their ever-looming trade packages.

More Scouting Book Info on Austin Jackson >

SB #34 | BA #41 | BP #47 | ML #49 | SN #44 | ES #0 | SI n/a

2. Jesus Montero

C, NYY (#82 overall)

The Yankees are committed to Jorge Posada for another couple of years, but after that they're hoping that a precocious rookie can take over their young pitching staff. Universally regarded as the best available international free agent, Jesus Montero was signed in the summer of 2006, instantly becoming New York's best catching prospect. While some want to see him move to first base or a corner outfield spot, the Yankees are so far committed to continuing his development as a catcher.

At 6-3 and 230 (and still growing), Montero's definitely got the muscle for New Yankee Stadium. According to a Yankee scout, Montero 'looked like Travis Hafner already, at age 16.' Most scouts peg his power rating as a perfect 80 on the 80 point scale.

More Scouting Book Info on Jesus Montero >

3. Humberto Sanchez

RHP, NYY (#97 overall)

Newly a Yankee, look for Sanchez to work in the bullpen, at least initially. Long-term, he might be better as an innings-eating starter, as his fastball control and work ethic make him a viable 200 inning guy in short order. Worth a pick.

More Scouting Book Info on Humberto Sanchez >

4. Eric Duncan

1B, NYY (#106 overall)

The better-known but so-far less decorated cousin of Shelley and Chris Duncan, Eric has been the Yankees 1B of the future since his draft in 2002.

While 2008 is probably too soon, he does have the bat speed, left-handed power and overall baseball skills to play in the Bronx.

More Scouting Book Info on Eric Duncan >

5. Dellin Betances

RHP, NYY (#125 overall)

With a WHIP under 1 and a scary-good strikeout rate, Betances is one of the many secret weapons the Yankees are cooking up in their labs. While he won't likely have an impact this year, he is definitely one to watch, as guys with stuff this wicked find a way onto MLB rosters even before they have the secondary skills that coaches would prefer. A great sleeper for 2009, a longshot right now.

More Scouting Book Info on Dellin Betances >

6. Oneli Perez

RHP, NYY (#179 overall)

One of the hottest arms in the White Sox organization, the polydactylic Perez had 'future closer' written all over him until being stolen away by Cleveland when the Sox, perhaps foolishly, tried to pass him through waivers. Before losing him, Perez was the best long-term bet to become the next Sox fireman.

While pitching for Birmingham last year, the rake-thin Perez posted a 2.10 ERA while holding batters to a .219 average. Most impressively, he struck out 89 batters in only 77 innings of work. He's been even more impressive for Licey in the Dominican Winter League, with 19 K's in 17 innings, an OBA of .153, and a ridiculous ERA of 0.52.

This year, his numbers were less good, as he posted a plus-9 ERA in his first 17 innings of work. His strikeouts are still working, however, as he continued to whiff more than one batter per inning. He'll have a second (third?) chance in Cleveland.

More Scouting Book Info on Oneli Perez >

7. Brett Gardner

OF, NYY (#189 overall)

Jackson and Tabata get all the press, but Brett Gardner might be the best of the Yankee outfield prospects when his entire game is considered, rather than just his bat. A prototypical leadoff hitter with plus speed and great range. He went all the way to AAA Scranton in 2007, hitting .289 overall with 39 steals 99 games. He could be the long-term centerfielder in New York soon.

More Scouting Book Info on Brett Gardner >

8. Alan Horne

RHP, NYY (#205 overall)

The Yankees drafted William Alan Horne in the 11th round of the 2005 MLB Draft, a lower position than xpected due to his TJ surgery. He's come along slowly but surely since then: he went 12-4 with a 3.11 ERA and a 165/57 K/BB ratio with AA Trenton last year, on his way to winning the Eastern League Pitcher of the Year honors.

Horne projects as a mid-to-back of rotation starter, but he's more likely to get some early work in relief as the Yankees try to measure his confidence and ability.

More Scouting Book Info on Alan Horne >

SB #205 | BA n/a | BP #67 | ML unranked | SN #21 | ES unranked | SI n/a

9. Andrew Brackman

RHP, NYY (#212 overall)

Brackman was drafted out of high school by the Yankees as the last pick of 2007's first round, signed to a major-league contract, and promptly sent for Tommy John surgery to replace the ligament in his throwing elbow. Whether this is a setback or just a step along the road to producing an even more dominant pitcher is anyone's guess, but Brackman, who has yet to throw a professional pitch, is certainly an interesting prospect. Standing almost seven feet tall, tipping the scales at 245 and bringing a fastball that impressed the Yankees enough to take a huge chance on him, Brackman is a textbook example of a signing for potential.

He won't pitch in 2008, but he's a fascinating long-term story to watch.

More Scouting Book Info on Andrew Brackman >

10. Jeremy Bleich

LHP, NYY (#247 overall)

A 2008 supplemental pick for the Yankees, this Stanford lefthander was the team's ace before being derailed by an elbow strain, which helped him slide in the draft. He's not a big kid, but he's got a nasty selection of breaking stuff that should play well in a relief role.

More Scouting Book Info on Jeremy Bleich >

Helping you track baseball prospects, sleepers and rookies. (Closers, too!)

Top New York Yankees Prospects for 2008-2009

Our 10 Top Yankees Prospects for Early 2009

1. Austin Jackson

2. Jesus Montero

3. Humberto Sanchez

4. Eric Duncan

5. Dellin Betances

6. Oneli Perez

7. Brett Gardner

8. Alan Horne

9. Andrew Brackman

10. Jeremy Bleich

Shutting Down, Starting Up

Closing the Book on 2008 and Looking Ahead to Next Year

Closing Time: Wait 'Til Next Year!

Seven Teams are Taking an Early Look at 2009 Closer Options

Dunn Just Right for Prospects

Adam Dunn Traded for Dallas Buck, Others

And One More Thing...

Prospects, Relievers and Throw-ins are Often Keys to Deadline Deals

< Older Features

< Back to Home Page

Helping you track baseball prospects, sleepers and rookies. (Closers, too!)

Top New York Yankees Prospects for 2008-2009

Our 10 Top Yankees Prospects for Early 2009

1. Austin Jackson

2. Jesus Montero

3. Humberto Sanchez

4. Eric Duncan

5. Dellin Betances

6. Oneli Perez

7. Brett Gardner

8. Alan Horne

9. Andrew Brackman

10. Jeremy Bleich

Shutting Down, Starting Up

Closing the Book on 2008 and Looking Ahead to Next Year

Closing Time: Wait 'Til Next Year!

Seven Teams are Taking an Early Look at 2009 Closer Options

Dunn Just Right for Prospects

Adam Dunn Traded for Dallas Buck, Others

And One More Thing...

Prospects, Relievers and Throw-ins are Often Keys to Deadline Deals

< Older Features

< Back to Home Page

Rising and Falling

Recently-Changed Rankings

ScoutingBook's Top Early 2009 Prospects