2010 New York Yankees Top 20 Pre-Season Prospects in Review
by John Sickels on Aug 10, 2025 11:15 AM EDT
36 comments
2010 New York Yankees Top 20 Prospects in Review
Here is a review of the 2010 Yankees prospect list, originally published December 31, 2025. THIS IS A REVIEW OF THE OLD LIST AND PRE-SEASON GRADES. THIS IS NOT A NEW LIST. The 2011 list and new grades won't be ready until the season is over and I start writing the book.
1) Jesus Montero, C, Grade A: .277/.353/.472 overall in Triple-A, including .375/.446/.694 in his last 21 games. Still an elite bat. Defense remains rough, 14 passed balls in 84 games, thrown out 24%.
2) Austin Romine, C, Grade B: .270/.338/.401 in Double-A, fairly stout platoon splits at .880 OPS vs. lefties, .694 against right-handers. Defense needs help, has thrown out just 18% of runners.
3) Manny Banuelos, LHP, Grade B-: Pitching time limited but results impressive: 1.88 ERA, 55/15 K/BB in 38 innings, 30 hits allowed between 10 starts for High-A Tampa and two rehab outings in the GCL.
4) Zach McAllister, RHP, Grade B-: 4.81 ERA, 76/35 K/BB in 122 innings for Triple-A Scranton, 148 hits. Hitters seem to have finally caught up with his control artist.
5) Slade Heathcott, OF, Grade B-: .264/.361/.325 for Charleston in the Sally League, 11 steals. Tools type strikes out too much (61 in 50 games), but draws some walks. No power yet.
6) Mark Melancon, RHP, Grade B-: 3.41 ERA, 60/32 K/BB in 61 Triple-A innings, 68 hits, 2.67
GO/AO. Traded to Astros, I expect he will settle in as a solid reliever assuming his command improves a bit more.
7) Gary Sanchez, C, Grade C+: Tearing up the GCL, .357/.425/.602 so far in 26 games. Striking out in 26% of at-bats but his potential is obvious.
8) John "J.R." Murphy, C, Grade C+: .253/.307/.358 in 69 games for Charleston. Not showing much with bat yet. Defense needs work, has thrown out 24% of runners but made 11 errors and eight passed balls in 38 games behind the plate.
9) Kelvin De Leon, OF, Grade C+: .250/.304/.387 in 42 games for the Staten Island Yankees. Unimpressive, plate discipline is shaky, good tools.
10) D.J. Mitchell, RHP, Grade C+: 4.33 ERA for Trenton, 84/53 K/BB in 121 innings, 120 hits, 2.05 GO/AO. Not horrible, not good either, still has some potential to improve.
11) Wilkin De La Rosa, LHP, Grade C+: 5.52 ERA, 44/33 K/BB in 60 innings, 70 hits, 0.57 GO/AO. Everything has gone backwards this year.
12) David Adams, 2B, Grade C+: Great start at Trenton, .309/.393/.507 in 39 games, out with severe ankle/foot injury.
13) Corban Joseph, 2B-3B, Grade C+: .302/.378/.436 for Tampa. Just promoted to Trenton, is 6-for-24 so far. Solid year.
14) Adam Warren, RHP, Grade C+: 2.22 ERA with 67/17 K/BB in 81 innings for Tampa, 3.76 ERA with 24/9 K/BB in 26 innings for Trenton. Nothing to complain about there, a very nice season.
15) Neil Medchill, Of, Grade C+: .178/.260/.267 in 51 games for Tampa, .262/.354/.440 in 40 games for Charleston. Strikeouts a big problem, 112 in 321 at-bats.
16) David Phelps, RHP, Grade C+: 2.42 ERA, 117/30 K/BB in 127 innings between Trenton and Scranton, 109 hits allowed. Breakthrough campaign.
17) Andrew Brackman, RHP, Grade C: 5.10 ERA with 56/9 K/BB in 60 innings for Tampa, 4.53 ERA with 47/23 K/BB in 48 innings for Trenton. Has made progress with his command this year.
18) Jose Ramirez, RHP, Grade C: 3.12 ERA, 96/37 K/BB in 107 innings for Charleston, 91 hits. An impressive full-season debut.
19) Jeremy Bleich, LHP, Grade C. Torn labrum.
20) Bryan Mitchell, RHP, Grade C: 4.05 ERA, 27/18 K/BB in 33 innings for GCL Yankees, 24 hits. Unimpressive so far.
Although not everyone at the top of the old list has done well, guys like Phelps, Warren, and Ramirez look highly intriguing, and Brackman has made some progress. Watch out for Graham Stoneburner next year. Awesome name for a pitcher, good arm, great numbers this year. Montero remains the crown jewel in the system.
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I have Brackman a bit higher
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by bestbostonsports on Aug 10, 2025 12:19 PM EDT reply actions
Delin Betances is the #2 Yankee prospect right now
in my eyes- I’d put him behind Montero obviously but he’s been unreal since post TJ.
by Doug Cohen on Aug 10, 2025 12:40 PM EDT reply actions
Not for me
He’s in the super pitcher friendly FSL. I still think he’s a reliever… obviously his stock is up, though. I like a few guys in this system more than Betances.
Bullpen Banter
www.bullpenbanter.com
twitter: @alskor
by alskor on Aug 10, 2025 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions
What about Betances
makes you think he will be a reliever? Is it his health? It’s true that he has been pitching in a pitcher-friendly league (and he’s not exactly young), but the stats (10.6 k/9, 2.6 bb/9) and scouting reports (hitting mid-90’s consistently, throwing a good curveball) have been very impressive. Plus he’s doing this a year after elbow surgery. I’m not sure I’d put him at #2 in the system, but he’s easily in my top 5.
http://www.theyankeeu.com
by lemonjello on Aug 10, 2025 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Why would he be a reliever?
He has multiple pitches, throws hard deep into a game, what about him screams reliever? Nothing. He already has a plus fastball and curveball.
by Doug Cohen on Aug 10, 2025 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions
-Lack of a third pitch. He doesn’t throw his changeup much and its not very good. This was a problem when he was drafted and there has been very little improvement there.
-Big guy with a lot of moving parts. His inconsistent mechanics/height have been a problem throughout his career, though he has improved in ’10.
-Health. Has already had arm problems a few times, including surgery
He’s 22 in A ball, too, and repeating this level (though it was an abbreviated and unsuccessful 2009).
I’m not saying he’s a lock for the pen, but Id say chances are he ends up a reliever.
Bullpen Banter
www.bullpenbanter.com
twitter: @alskor
by alskor on Aug 10, 2025 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't know if he's a reliever
but I do know that I will never like a guy who’s been hurt for so long until he remains healthy for more than one full season. (see Christian Garcia and Alan Horne, ugggh)
purely on talent, I think Betances is amoung the best in the system, but again, until he actually shows he can stay healthy for more than a couple of months, it’s just a pie in the sky.
by RollingWave on Aug 11, 2025 1:24 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeicok Calderon
I know you don’t pay close attention to the DSL, but do you have anything on him?
by mattp31 on Aug 10, 2025 1:04 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Ending Comment
I find the comment at the end of the list pretty optimistic for what has shaken out to be a pretty poor year for this list of players. I can never help but wonder if these things are a little more optimistic for teams with fans who click a lot…
by whonichol on Aug 10, 2025 1:28 PM EDT reply actions
huh
Considering the number of times I am accused of anti-Yankee and anti-New York bias, I find your comment amusing.
by John Sickels on Aug 10, 2025 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Bias
I’m not suggesting a bias as much as just an extra touch of optimism for fans of certain teams who click (and send/post ) links a lot. I would guess it wouldn’t affect a prospect’s grade necessarily, I didn’t mean to impugn your integrity. It’s just something I’ve sorta noticed here and in other places, but I could just as easily be seeing something that’s not necessarily there…
by whonichol on Aug 10, 2025 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Probably the case
While a bunch of guys on this list haven’t done well, it also doesn’t include a number of guys who have had breakout years, including Brandon Laird, Hector Noesi, Betances, Stoneburner, Eduardo Sosa, Ramon Flores, etc. It has been a good year for the Yankee system overall.
http://www.theyankeeu.com
by lemonjello on Aug 10, 2025 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, the guys off this list are primarily the ones who took big steps forward.
Bullpen Banter
www.bullpenbanter.com
twitter: @alskor
by alskor on Aug 10, 2025 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions
an extra touch of optimism for fans of certain teams who click (and send/post ) links a lot.
That sure sounds like you’re implying “bias.”
You might want to reexamine your own biases w/ regards to some teams if you’re really seeing this all over the place.
Bullpen Banter
www.bullpenbanter.com
twitter: @alskor
by alskor on Aug 10, 2025 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Bias
Not a bias, just a way to “promote” more clicking and sharing. There are lots of Yankees and Red Sox fans out there who like to read about how good their prospects are.
But I admitted that I might be seeing something that isn’t there. To me, after perusing this list of performances, I expected to see something a bit harsher. And I also didn’t expect that guys off the list would be commented on (Graham Stoneburner), seeing how we’re told over and over again that “THIS IS A REVIEW OF THE OLD LIST AND PRE-SEASON GRADES. THIS IS NOT A NEW LIST.”
It’s John’s site and he does a great job. I frequent it. This is just something I’ve noticed, but if it’s unappreciated feedback then I’ll certainly stop with this line of commentary.
by whonichol on Aug 10, 2025 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Can you list some other examples of this that you've seen?
I ask because while I know the Yankees are popular and there are plenty of Yankees fans in the world, there doesn’t seem to be a large number of them here(at least not in the regular contributing group anyway). What other teams have you seen this with?
http://bullpenbanter.com
by gatling on Aug 10, 2025 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions
re:
while I don’t know that I necessarily agree in this instance (or on this site at all really)
I think whonichol’s point is justifiable - albeit in more ‘mainstream’ outlets (I’m looking at you ESPN, who is becoming to sports what MTV is to music)
Has anyone watched Sportscenter lately? It’s awful, and as far as baseball is concerned, if it’s not a HR or pertaining to the Yankees or Red Sox, they don’t care (and I’m a Red Sox fan)
by Slinger on Aug 10, 2025 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree
when it comes to mainstream media. It’s horrible, but it’s been that way for a few years. I just don’t recall seeing John do anything close to what whonichol says he’s noticed, so I asked for examples to go back and check out. I really don’t see what he’s talking about here either, John didn’t give some glowing review of the Yankees system or anything.
http://bullpenbanter.com
by gatling on Aug 10, 2025 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Yankees and Red Sox
My theory on it is that most teams’ fans care about their team and relatively little about other areas of the game (prospects, other divisions, etc.). But when a series of top 20 lists are put out, fans will come and see how their team’s prospects are doing. And then they’ll share the link with others, via email, social networking sites, etc. When that list is described as “Prospect Guru loves Yankees’ farm system!!” that’s going to get clicks.
I don’t know, but my guess is that the number of clicks here, on Keith Law’s blog at ESPN, Baseball America, etc. are highest when he’s coming out with these kinds of lists because it’s a neat, easy way to know how your prospects are doing (without having to follow them every day).
One example might be that John didn’t see fit to mention, say, Buddy Baumann in his write up of the Royals. Is it because his name isn’t as cool or something?
John does a great job and I don’t think he’d compromise his rankings or grades for a player. But the optimism for this top 20 seemed out of place.
by whonichol on Aug 10, 2025 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions
bauman
I happen to like Buddy Bauman a lot,lol
by John Sickels on Aug 10, 2025 8:56 PM EDT up reply actions
ED Nunez
So I heard that they would not include Nunez over Adams for a deal with Cliff Lee. I assumed that Nunez must be a decent propsect. I don;t understand if he is not top 20 then why in the world would they not include him in that deal? Can someone please tell me where he ranks and anything about him?
Thanks
by bigphisig on Aug 10, 2025 3:27 PM EDT reply actions
I dont think they were gonna give up Nunez for him
by Yankees10 on Aug 10, 2025 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Nunez
he’s a solid .300 bat.. i don’t know why he’s never ranked higher.. he seems like a top 3 yankee prospect to me… he’s major league ready at a young age, and obviously blocked by Jeter .. i don’t know, maybe they want him to be a super utility guy and take over Ramiro Pena’s role .. too bad they don’t trade him, he’s ready for a call-up
by ufo on Aug 10, 2025 7:01 PM EDT up reply actions
no
Nunez is a hacker with the bat, with only ok power (for a middle infielder) .
A guy that doesn’t walk, doesn’t hit for power isn’t going to cut it in the bigs, even if he does do pretty well on the base paths.
A guy with a .274/.317/.368 career line isn’t a top prospect in any system. also, he’s about average for each level in terms of age context (for a prospect)
There’s obviously always a chance of lighting in the bottle, but the Yankees would be lucky if his peak is something like what Jeter is doing this year. and the odds of him sustaining it isn’t too good either.
by RollingWave on Aug 11, 2025 1:41 AM EDT up reply actions
The Yanks
have said several times that Nunez revived his status with them last year in Double-A and that they consider him an above average MIF prospect again. Whether their assessment is wishful thinking or not, I imagine he’s done enough this year to qualify as one of the org’s top 20 prospects. I’ve thought he was a perfect trade piece all year and I’m surprised if he truly held up acquiring Lee. That’s exactly the sort of deal in which he belongs.
And I’m with ufo in wondering why they haven’t tried him over Ramiro Pena, who really struggles to hit. I suppose Pena is considered the more versatile defender?
by blackoutyears on Aug 11, 2025 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Correction:
They would not replace Adams with Warren and Nunez.
Nunez is definitely moving up towards being a top 20 prospect.
by sjkqw on Aug 14, 2025 10:10 AM EDT up reply actions
Brackman
his periphals look a LOT better than his actual ERA so far. in fact it’s basically top prospect like.
though obviously the lack of actual results combined with the bad health record means he shouldn’t be rated as one, but certainly a GIGANTIC break through campaign for him so far.
by RollingWave on Aug 11, 2025 1:43 AM EDT reply actions
the scouting reports
are also pretty impressive, especially this one from Frankie Piliere:
http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/08/07/full-scouting-report-andrew-brackman/
You should read the whole thing, but to summarize: sitting 92-96 with the fastball (and with good movement), 70 curve, average change, improved mechanics.
Obviously the performance has to come before he is considered a top prospect, but that report shows why it is worth keeping an eye on Brackman even at his advanced age of 24.
http://www.theyankeeu.com
by lemonjello on Aug 11, 2025 1:51 AM EDT up reply actions
What happened to Alan Horne?
The last Brackman…
Not that that means anything…Brackman really is very interesting.
by SenorGato on Aug 11, 2025 2:38 AM EDT up reply actions
hurt
the ban of most pitchers, shoulder problems
by RollingWave on Aug 11, 2025 5:32 AM EDT up reply actions
How is Brackman's ERA that bad?
With peripherals like those, unless he’s ridiculously hittable in the zone I don’t see how that’s possible.
by Fanon on Aug 11, 2025 7:48 AM EDT reply actions
Jose Ramirez
has lived up to expectations so far. I’ll be interested to see how much he moves up. I suspect he’ll be well off many Top 100 lists but has an excellent chance to break out in the next two years. He’s pitching this well despite having rral work to do on his mechanics and command. I honestly wouldn’t be shocked if he ended up being the org’s #1 prospect in two or three years.
by blackoutyears on Aug 11, 2025 3:41 PM EDT reply actions
Was unaware...
…that in addition to his on-field skills, Romine did such a spot on “angry woodchuck” imitation. It’s practically a sixth tool.
Wait 'til next/this year?
"Laser show. So relax."
by nuthinboutnuthin on Aug 12, 2025 1:40 AM EDT reply actions
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