Manny Banuelos played in the Arizona Fall League Rising Stars Showcase earlier this week, and then returns were quite positive. Keith Law had the following to say:
His opponent, Yankees lefty Manny Banuelos, was also excellent with a ridiculous changeup that had plus arm speed and hard, late fading action, and he touched 94 as well. I don’t see much physical projection with Banuelos, who is already pretty maxed out physically (unless he gets taller — he is just 19), but his feel for pitching and fastball command are extremely advanced and tightening his curveball would give him three above-average or better pitches too.
Manny’s changeup is starting to be viewed as one of the best in the minors, and his increase in fastball velocity has greatly increased his prospect standing. Kevin Goldstein of BP confirmed Law’s report, noting that “Banuelos showed multiple swing and miss offerings, which for now is what matters.”
People have been debating over the last few months how to rank the “Killer B’s” of Banuelos, Dellin Betances, and Andrew Brackman. I think Banuelos is the clear choice for the #1 slot, and would likely consider him the Yankees’ best prospect after Jesus Montero. He is now displaying top of the rotation stuff to go with strong command and plenty of polish, and does not have major injury concerns. While the other two may have slightly higher ceilings, they also have a much higher bust factor. I’d be much quicker to include either Brackman or Betances in a deal than Banuelos, and Manny’s performance in the Arizone Fall League has done nothing but confirm this evaluation.
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
11 Responses to Buzz Building For Banuelos
Leave a Reply
TIQ IQ
Strictly a reliever, hopefully closer type, worst case 8th inning guy, absolutely worst a loogy.IMO, will never hold up as a starter, just too small for today’s game as a starter.None that size make it, none.Why will he be different?
Yeah your right Tim Lincecum and Pedro Martinez never made it… both are listed at 5’11 and neither one is bigger than 5’10 IMO.
I see no reason a kid with a 94 MPH fastball and possibly the best change in the minors can’t make it as a starter as long as his curve is anywhere near decent.
Obviously, it would be nice if Banuelos were 6’4″. But plenty of players of his size have succeeded. Just look at Gio Gonzalez this year.
2013:
CC
Lee
Hughes
Betances
Banuelos
Isn’t AJ under contract in 2013? I thought he signed a 5 year deal and I know he makes 19 million in his final year so he will be starting if he is on the team.
via cot’s: 09-13:$16.5M annually
I thought so… It’s 16 annually in average over the course of the deal but the contract is back loaded and be makes 19 in the last year.
I’d say id everything breaks down as the Yankees plan (and nothing in life does) then in 2012 when Andy retires (assuming he comes back next year) then one of the 3 killer B’s if you want to call them that can step up and you will have 3 older overpaid pitcher and 2 younger pitchers with Hughes and 1 of the big 3 (though Hughes should be getting raises by that time) and in 2014 once AJ is no longer on the team then a 2nd member of the 3 can join Lee, Sabathia, Hughes and one of the other two.
So if everything goes according to plan 2014 could look something like
Sabathia
Lee
Hughes
Banuelos/Brackman/Betances
Betances/Banuelos/Brackman
He will make it, just not as a starter and Pedro had steroids to help him.He’s like 5’10 this kid.
Pedro was 5’10 and what proof do you have of Martinez steroid use? He was never big and his loss of velocity was typical for a smaller framed pitcher who tend to show signs of age more quickly.
Really just throwing out a name not connected with steroids under the bus to try and prove a point you have no actual backing for is pretty low.
Why can’t a kid that size start? I’ve seen plenty of sub 6 foot pitchers make it and if Pedro had steroids I guess Lincecum does too?
Smaller sized pitchers who have success rely on the change like Pedro, Lincecum and Johan Santana and from all reports Banuelos has a glowing change so he fits the mold of a smaller framed guy to be a starter.
Wandy Rodriguez is left handed and does work and he is listed at 5’11 190 pounds but I doubt he is taller than 5’10 and a former Yankee great Ron “Gator” Guidry was 5’11 and no tall man by any standards.