2010 New York Yankees Top 20 Pre-Season Prospects in Review

2010 New York Yankees Top 20 Prospects in Review

Here is a review of the 2010 Yankees prospect list, originally published December 31, 2009. 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.