The New York Yankees used their deep farm system to add pieces at the trade deadline. While the Yankees don’t have one of the best farm systems on paper, a lot of breakouts this season have helped their minor league teams combine to have the best record of any system. In adding Joey Gallo and Anthony Rizzo, two big bats, to their lineup, they didn’t give up any of their top five prospects.
The Yankees added more solid depth through the July draft, and have some pieces on the way to making their debuts sooner rather than later. While this season has been a disappointment based on their standards and expectations, the team and farm system are still very much built for success.
1. Jasson Dominguez, Outfielder
Scouting Grades
Hit: 55
Power: 60
Run: 65
Arm: 60
Field: 55
Overall: 60
After making his pro debut in the Florida Complex League in June, Dominguez quickly moved up to Low-A Tampa after just seven games. He is one of the most hyped-up and toolsy prospects ever since the Yankees signed him as a 16-year-old out of the Dominican Republic in July 2019 for $5.1 million. Across the two levels so far, the 18-year-old has hit .239/.343/.359 with two homers, 10 RBI, and two stolen bases in 25 games. He also played the MLB All-Star Future’s Game, where he went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts, but did hit a screaming liner to third base. The top results haven’t come just yet for Dominguez, but that will come with time.
ETA: 2025
2. Anthony Volpe – Shortstop
Scouting Grades
Hit: 55
Power: 60
Run: 65
Arm: 60
Field: 55
Overall: 55
Volpe, the Yankees first-round pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, has been on a torrid pace this season. The shortstop started the season in Low-A Tampa where he hit .302/.455/.623 with 12 homers, 49 RBI, 21 stolen bases in 54 games. He also struck out just 21 times and walked 51 times in 257 plate appearances. Volpe was moved up to High-A Hudson Valley on July 13 where he has been since. In 22 games at that level, he has hit .318/.400/.591 with five homers, 15 RBI, nine doubles, and five stolen bases. He has played so well, that a promotion up to Double-A Somerset could be in the cards very soon. With his breakout performance, he earns a spot on this list right behind Dominguez.
ETA: 2022
3. Oswald Peraza – Shortstop
Scouting Grades
Hit: 55
Power: 45
Run: 60
Arm: 60
Field: 60
Overall: 55
Peraza has taken a similar season trajectory as Volpe, except he started out at Hudson Valley. After hitting .306/.386/.532 with five homers, 16 RBI, and 16 stolen bases, he got the call to Somerset. He has slowed his pace a bit since joining the Double-A affiliate, but he has still hit .284/.336/.456 with seven homers, 20 RBI, and 11 stolen bases in 52 games. The Yankees have a stacked middle infield depth in the lower minors, which is led by Volpe and Peraza.
ETA: 2022
4. Luis Gil – Right-Handed Pitcher
Scouting Grades
Fastball: 75
Slider: 60
Changeup: 55
Control: 50
Overall: 50
Gil has burst onto the scene in the major leagues, as he has made two ultra-impressive starts to begin his big league career. He was called up last week after Gerrit Cole was placed on the COVID list and impressed enough to get a second start on Sunday. In the first start against the Baltimore Orioles, the right-hander tossed six shutout innings while striking out six, walking one, and allowing four hits. On Sunday against the Seattle Mariners, Gil struck out eight over five shutout innings while walking two and giving up two hits. Gil has the stuff to be an ace and has really stepped up for the Yankees in a very tough time with the COVID outbreak.
ETA: 2021
5. Clarke Schmidt – Right-Handed Pitcher
Scouting Grades
Fastball: 60
Curveball: 60
Changeup: 55
Control: 50
Overall: 55
Schmidt is nearing his return after being out since spring with an elbow strain and looks ready to hit the ground running. The right-hander looked better than ever in 2019, as he led the Trenton Thunder to the Double-A Eastern League championship. He kept it going in Spring Training, Summer Camp, and at New York’s alternate training site last year, before making his major league debut in September after just 114 innings of pro experience. Schmidt tossed 2 2/3 innings for Double-A Somerset on Thursday, while allowing one run on two hits and a walk while striking out four. He will be making another rehab start soon, likely with Somerset, but could be moved up to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. If all goes well, he could make his MLB season debut by the end of the month.
ETA: 2021
Outside the Top 5
Catcher Austin Wells is another name to watch right outside the top five (six), who the Yankees drafted 28th overall in the 2020 MLB Draft. He has been having a great season between Low-A Tampa and High-A Hudson Valley, as he has a .861 OPS, nine homers, and 12 stolen bases. Another name to keep an eye on is the Yankees’ first-round pick this year in shortstop Trey Sweeney (eight) from Eastern Illinois. He showed very strong bat-to-ball skills in college as well as having great plate discipline. There is plenty to get excited about with the Yankees system, as evidenced in how their top prospects have performed this season.
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