Current Overall SB ranking for 2010 shown in parentheses.
C, NYY (#11 overall)
The Yankees are committed to Jorge Posada for another couple of years, but after that they're hoping that a fast-growing rookie can take over their young pitching staff... assuming he doesn't outgrow the position altogether. 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 and are continuing to develop his receiving and game-calling ability with that in mind.
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C, NYY (#158 overall)
The younger brother of infielder Andrew, Austin Romine was a two way player in the Buster Posey fashion, acting as his high school closer as well as everyday catcher. As you might expect, he has one of the best cannons to second of any catcher in the minors today. At the plate he has doubles power and an easy swing, which looks projectable to 20-30 homer power someday. He's quite a way away from Yankee Stadium, but he's a hard worker with enough raw talent to get there sooner or later.
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RHP, NYY (#168 overall)
Brackman was scouted by the Yankees since his days in a Cincinnati high school. The team snuck him in as the last pick of 2007's first round, signed him to a major-league contract, and promptly sent for Tommy John surgery to replace the ligament in his throwing elbow. 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 raw potential. His return to pitching following a two-year hiatus didn't go well (2-12, 5.91 ERA, 1.71 WHIP in A-level Charleston), but that's almost to be expected given his long absence from the mount. He'll return to A-ball in 2010, and while he's just as high-ceilinged a prospect as ever, it's anyone's guess how much of the old stuff will ever come back.
More Scouting Book Info on Andrew Brackman >
OF, NYY (#204 overall)
A powerful lefthanded outfielder, Yankee prospect Slade Heathcott looks like a future offensive monster, especially if he remains on a path leading to New Yankee Stadium. A professional hitter, Heathcott has plus contact and power skills, not to mention superior baserunning ability. He's more than adequate in the field, and while he can play center, his body type might be better-suited to a corner outfield position. All told, he's a legitimate 30-30 candidate as long as he stays focused on development. Mumblings about possible off-field issues seem to be more smoke than substance, but even if there's something to them, the button-down Yankees system is a good place to straighten out any young man looking for discipline and guidance.
More Scouting Book Info on Slade Heathcott >
LHP, NYY (#243 overall)
With a nickname that sounds like something out of Radical Feminist Manifesto, Manny Banuelos is a young and tiny lefthander signed out of Mexico who's already being heralded as a shining success story for the Yankee's international scouting team. Man-Ban's fastball is an easy 92mph, while his changeup already looks like a plus pitch, remarkable in such a young player. He's been working on adding a curve and/or slider to his mix, but even his existing two-pitch arsenal has been effective so far: as an 18 year old in the Sally League in 2009, Buenolos more than held his own, going 9-5 with a 2.67 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP, not to mention 104 strikeouts in 108 innings of work. He'll be brought along slowly, as the ever-conservative Yankees have no need to rush him, but if his next year is as good as his last, he'll have to be considered one of the top young arms in the minor leagues.
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RHP, NYY (#250 overall)
Newly a Yankee, look for Sanchez to work in the bullpen, at least initially. Long-term, the big man 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 flier, at the very least.
More Scouting Book Info on Humberto Sanchez >
RHP, NYY (#325 overall)
With a WHIP under 1.00 and a scary-good strikeout rate, Betances has been one of the many weapons being sharpened in the Yankee labs. His lightning stuff has been sidelined a bit too often by minor injuries, sadly, and he underwent a bit of surprise surgery in late 2009 that could put most of his 2010 season in doubt. Still, he remains a high-ceiling if risky long-term asset: guys with stuff this wicked always seem to find their way onto MLB rosters sooner or later.
More Scouting Book Info on Dellin Betances >
RHP, NYY (#333 overall)
After gaining national attention as the award winning closer at U Arizona, Melancon's selection by the Yankees in the 2006 draft had 'Rivera Replacement' written all over it. After taking a year and a half to climb back up from TJ surgery, his fastball returned, and he's about as ready for the big-leagues as any prep pitcher has ever been. That 95mph fastball and hammer curve looked pretty good during limited use at Yankee Stadium in 2009 ten strikeouts, zero walks), and by all reports, Melancon has the big game attitude and short memory that closers need to succeed at any level. He should stick in the Yankees bullpen this season, probably ending up as Mariano's setup man and heir apparent... unless Joba Chamberlain once again returns to favorite bullpen son status.
More Scouting Book Info on Mark Melancon >
RHP, NYY (#373 overall)
Originally signed by the Dodgers, Dominican Romulo Sanchez made a stop in Pittsburgh on his way to the Yankee bench in 2009. Once seen as a future closer despite his so-so strikeout numbers, he's more of a swingman in Yankee plans. To succeed at high levels, he still needs to learn how to refine his control a little while not losing too much of his velocity. His secondary pitches still grade out as average.
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RHP, NYY (#417 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.
More Scouting Book Info on Alan Horne >
RHP, NYY (#421 overall)
A finesse pitcher when he was signed out of high school, Zach McAllister has grown into more of a power build over the past two seasons, which means it's anyone's guess how he'll end up. In high school he worked with a 90mph sinking fastball and a great 82mph slider, but the Yankees may be reevaluating his strengths now that he's a big boy in pinstripes. He has an outside shot at bullpen work in 2010, but more likely he'll continue to move slowly. He's worth keeping an eye on over the next couple of years.
More Scouting Book Info on Zach McAllister >
LHP, NYY (#452 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 could play well in a relief role a few years from now.
More Scouting Book Info on Jeremy Bleich >
3B, NYY (#460 overall)
An All-American at second base, the switch-hitting Suttle's skills play well at almost any infield position, though he's growing fast enough that he may end up limited to first or third. In his first pro season at A-level Charleston, Bradley put up a respectable line of .271/.348/.456 while playing mainly third based. A quality overall ballplayer without a standout tool, he'll need to develop more power if he wants to break out of a future utlity role.
More Scouting Book Info on Bradley Suttle >
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