John Sickels is reviewing his preseason top 20 prospects lists, and got to the Yankees this morning. The results, as might have been expected, were not pretty:
The Yankees started the season with one excellent prospect in Montero, a solid guy in Jackson, and a bunch of B-/C+ types who may or may not develop into something. Injury attrition has torn through the pitchers. Brackman has yet to live up to New York propaganda hype, and there is a distinct lack of impact talent beyond Montero. On the other hand, Robertson has been strong, I haven’t given up on Coke, and Aceves is certainly capable of contributing in a major league bullpen going forward. Melancon, McAllister, and Teixeira are all potential contributors for 2010 or trade fodder.
Injuries or ineffectiveness from Brackman, Betances, Garcia, and Kontos have weakened the Yankees pitching depth, and make this list look fairly weak. A reasonable argument can be made that most of the Yankees current top prospects are position players, a stark change from just a year ago. One other thing to note is that many players not on Sickels’ original list have taken a step forward this season. Here are his honorable mentions from the preseason list:
David Adams, 2B; Manuel Banuelos, LHP; Jeremy Bleich, LHP: Frank Cervelli, C; Kelvin De Leon, OF; Mike Dunn, LHP; Brett Gardner, OF; Alan Horne, RHP: Corban Joseph, 2B; Brett Marshall, RHP; D.J. Mitchell, RHP; David Phelps, RHP; Ryan Pope, RHP; Matt Richardson, RHP; Damon Sublett, 2B; Pat Venditte, RHP-LHP; Kevin Whelan, RHP.
There are a number of players on that list who have greatly improved their stock in 2009, with each of the first 7 names on that list having solid years and moving into most top 20s. This is the nature of prospects, that many will fall by the wayside and depth is needed to survive the attrition. It seems that the Yankees are well equipped to deal with the vagaries of player development.
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7 Responses to Sickels Takes Look Back At Yankees Top 20 Prospects
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TIQ IQ
Outside of Montero, the prospects seem weak right now. But these things can change quickly. I’m expecting good things out of Melancon, Z-Mac and Manny Banny, and even if only those three (along with Montero/A-Jax) panned out then we’d be doing pretty well. But I guarantee by this time next year someone we’re not even considering will assert themselves. They always do.
I think Vizcaino is turning into a big time prospect as well, and DeLeon has a chance to make a similar jump.
Just as Russo and Pena did this year. I must admit, I had not expected those two improving as they have
We do have a few of these guys ready to step in next year; Melancon, Cervelli, Gardner, Robertson and Pena are a few that I think are ready for the Big Show. Montero/A-Jax need another year in AAA.
Montero is intriguing because he can make it as a hitter but needs work on his defense.
Montero needs some triple A playing time period… I do believe however that if he stays healthy that he will receive some playing time in the big leagues next year and maybe even before Austin does. Jackson I believes needs at least half a year in triple A but a whole year may even be better but I am not sure if New York can wait that long, with Montero You’re right Ranger he could hit this year in the big leagues but he needs to work on being a catcher but if you call him up next year at least for a while you have Tony Pena former catcher, Joe Girardi former catcher, Frankie Cirvelli a great defensive catcher and Jorge Posada a hitting catcher as mentors of the catching game on the major league squad, he would have to be brain dead not to learn something from those guys with all there different experience and time behind the plate.
True!
What is your top say 10 prospects going into next year and the future Mo?
Why has Kroenke not been called upon to pitch yet? He is 25 years old so you would think he would be ready to make a contribution he has a 2.08 ERA with a 7-1 record 69.1 IP and a .216 opposing batting average and a .179 batting average against left handed hitters so I think he could be called up and contribute right now to the bull pen, any reason he isn’t getting a closer look?
Also on an Andrew Brackman note he pitched 3 one hit innings for A ball with 2 Ks and no walks so maybe putting him in the pen will get him straightened out for the future as a starter.