Post Deadline Top 10 Yankees Prospects

As the trade deadline has passed, and we have a majority of a minor league sample size to work with, we are going to be taking a look at the stars of the future within the Yankees organization. Over the last few years, mainly beginning in 2019 is when the Yankees really elevated their amateur scouting, getting a lot more quality through the draft and in international free agency. Today i’ll list my top 10 prospects in the Yankees system, as well as a few honorable mentions that I still believe can have a huge impact on the future of this team.

1. OF Jasson Dominguez – Double-A Somerset

Jasson Dominguez, dubbed “The Martian” at age 16 due to his otherworldly talent, is rising up the ranks through the Yankees minor league system, and after a slow start in Double-A this year, he’s starting to turn it around, and could push for a September call up to Triple-A.

Stats with Somerset:

96 G

441 PAs

.235 AVG

.358 OBP

.377 SLG

.735 OPS

106 wRC+

12 HRs

26.8% K%

16.1% BB%

Dominguez’s main issue this season has been the strikeouts, and a lack of consistency. Which over the last month or so, has seem to find some consistency (.295/.367/.398, 111 wRC+) since July 1. Dominguez has the potential to be a difference maker at the major league level. His pitch selection and swing decision abilities are very advanced for his age, being just 20 years old. Another underrated part to his game, his speed. Having 30 stolen bases on the year having only been caught 7 times (81% Success). If Dominguez gets the call to Triple-A in September, depending how he performs, we could see a position battle in the outfield next year between him and Everson Pereira in spring training, similar to Anthony Volpe and Oswald Peraza this year. But the bottom line is, the key for Dominguez is consistency.

2. OF Everson Pereira – Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes/Barre

A riser on this list since the beginning of the year for me, outfielder Everson Pereira. Now it’s no secret that he has a huge amount of raw power, with 15 home runs so far this season between Double-A and Triple-A. Pereira could be an impact player down the stretch for the Yankees in a big way.

Stats Since Triple-A Promotion:

23 G

104 PAs

.337 AVG

.371 OBP

.561 SLG

.933 OPS

127 wRC+

5 HR

27.6% K%

3.8% BB%

On the surface, obviously looks like a great start at Triple-A for Pereira. But his main flaw will continue to haunt him, a high strikeout rate and a low walk rate. Now this may just be a weird coincidence, but Pereira was moved up to the next level when his K% was below 30% and his BB % was above 10%, showing a development in swing decisions and plate discipline. If Pereira can continue to display quality at bats and develop his plate discipline, he may be in play for the major league roster sooner rather than later, being on the 40-man roster has an advantage. If he gets his walk rate up and he can keep his strikeouts at a manageable rate, Pereira could be dangerous in the majors by this seasons end.

3. RHP Chase Hampton – Double-A Somerset

One of the biggest breakout prospects for the Yankees this year has been Chase Hampton. A 6th round pick in 2022 out of Texas Tech, and he has already reached Double-A during his first professional season. Not a lot of guys can say that. There is still a long road ahead for Hampton, but he is looking like one of the best pitchers in the Yankees system and in all of minor league baseball. At just 21 years old, he could develop to being a mainstay on the Yankees in a few years. Hampton features a solid repertoire, featuring a four-seamer, a curveball, a slider, and a changeup. His slider is a plus pitch, generating a lot of swings and misses playing off of his fastball. His changeup is the main pitch that needs to be refined, so he can consistently get left handed batters out, if he is able to do that he has the ability to be a rotational arm for a long time.

2022 Somerset Stats:

8 Starts

44.2 IP

4.43 ERA

4.09 FIP

10.48 K/9

3.43 BB/9

1.41 HR/9

The results for Hampton may look a bit shaky, and for good reason. Since his promotion to Double-A, his strikeout rate declined by 13%. Though his walk rate changed by less than 1%, the dip in strikeouts resulted in harder contact and giving up more home runs. Hampton, sported one of the best K rates in all of the minor leagues while he was at High-A Hudson Valley, at 40.5%. Though his strikeout numbers have gone down since his promotion, I think Hampton will start out next year at Double-A to refine his stuff before going to Triple-A, which is one of the toughest run environments for pitchers in the minors.

4. C Austin Wells – Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes/Barre

Austin Wells is one of the best pure hitters in the Yankees farm system. Though he missed the beginning of the season with a rib injury in spring training, Wells lit up Double-A pitching before his promotion. Defensively he is improving compared to what he was when he was drafted. His framing is much improved but his ability to throw out baserunners leaves a lot to be desired.

2023 Somerset Stats

58 G

263 PAs

.237 AVG

.327 OBP

.443 SLG

.770 OPS

11 HRs

108 wRC+

11% BB%

22.8% K%

Wells has pushed his way up to Triple-A, and is producing fairly well albeit in a small sample size of 13 games. Wells could be the backstop of the future for the Yankees, especially if his offence translates to the major league level, he could be a much needed left handed power bat in the Yankees lineup. Wells is rule 5 eligible at the end of the season, and I would be shocked if he wasn’t retained by being placed on the 40-Man roster. Wells’ power tool could be the part of his game that keeps him in a lineup no matter how his defence looks. He could be a 25-35 homer threat.

5. OF Spencer Jones – High-A Hudson Valley

Jones came into this season with very high expectations as a prospect, with comparisons to Aaron Judge, Jones has a ton of power and many expected him to reach Double-A by midseason this year. Though he hasn’t done that, he hasn’t disappointed either.

2023 Hudson Valley Stats:

85 G

390 PAs

.263 AVG

.333 OBP

.457 SLG

.790 OPS

113 wRC+

12 HRs

29.7% K%

9.2% BB%

Jones’ main issue has been the high amount of strikeouts and the lack of walks. Though he’s turned that around since the beginning of July (12.5% BB%, 22.9% K%), there is still a long way to go for Spencer Jones. He has an enormous amount of power, which he showed in college before being drafted last season. His progression will go as far as his strikeout and walk rates will take him. He’s always going to be a huge power threat, given his 6 foot 6 inch frame, he has huge potential.

6. RHP Drew Thorpe – High-A Hudson Valley

Drew Thorpe was the Yankees 2nd round pick in the 2022 draft, and he definitely had first round upside. In his first pro season, Thorpe has lead the Renegades pitching staff and he could see a promotion up to Double-A sometime soon, though he should have well over a month ago. Thorpe could be an even higher riser on this list by the end of the season.

2022 Hudson Valley Stats:

18 Starts

109 IP

2.81 ERA

3.30 FIP

11.39 K/9

2.72 BB/9

0.83 HR/9

Thorpe has a very good three pitch mix, featuring a fastball, slider, and changeup. The highlight is definitely his changeup. He gets so many whiffs on his changeup and it perfectly compliments his slider which both sit in the low 80s in terms of velocity. Though his fastball sports about average velocity, sitting in the low to mid 90s, it rounds out his arsenal well. His high strikeout rate and low walk rate makes his stuff look even better and for good reason, Thorpe commands all of his pitches well which made him a very lucrative draft pick last year and it could land him in the big league rotation when he does make the majors. If the Yankees can help him increase the velocity on his fastball, he could skyrocket through the minors by the end of next season.

7. SS Roderick Arias – Florida Coast League

Arias came into this season as a huge question mark, after posting a 30% strikeout rate in the Dominican Summer League last season. Though he got injured and that could be a part of the reason for his poor performance, Arias has some of the top flight potential on this list. Though he had a season ending hand injury before he could be promoted to Low-A Tampa, I think we’ll be in for a huge season for Arias next season.

2023 FCL Stats:

27 G

130 PAs

.267 AVG

.423 OBP

.505 SLG

.928 OPS

143 wRC+

6 HR

22.3% K%

20.8% BB%

Arias flashed a huge world of potential before going down with injury, and being just 18 years old, could be on a similar path to Jasson Dominguez in the sense of the way he goes through the system. I think Arias if he starts in Low-A Tampa could make his way all the way to Somerset by the end of next year if things go right. Something I want to highlight, the 20% walk rate, that is absolutely asinine levels of pitch recognition for an 18-year old. Some have said that a good comparison for Arias is current Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor. He has similar tools, his hit tool is already above average and he is said to have a great glove. His raw power tool is also very good too, getting 6 homers in under 30 games is a very good start for Arias. Though it is upsetting to see his season end, I have very high hopes for Arias.

8. SS Trey Sweeney – Double-A Somerset

Sweeney was the Yankees first round pick by the Yankees back in 2021 and has been a very quality player in his minor league career thus far. Sweeney has solid upside but he remains blocked by the other shortstops in the organization, as he sits behind Oswald Peraza who is in Triple-A currently. Sweeney could find his way to Triple-A next year, some see him making the switch to third base.

2023 Somerset Stats:

91 G

429 PAs

.250 AVG

.366 OBP

.419 SLG

.785 OPS

119 wRC+

13 HRs

19.3% K%

13.8% BB%

Though an injury has landed Sweeney on the injured list for Somerset, there is no denying that he has been a big part of their offence this year. What stands out to me is his strikeout and walk rate, both are exactly where they need. tobe. Sweeney’s profile is good all around, his power tool has definitely improved compared to last year, as he was on pace to break past his career high in home runs, and if not for his injury last week, he probably could have found himself in Triple-A by the end of this season. Though that is still possible, that will depend on the severity of his injury and how much time. he misses.

9. RHP Richard Fitts – Double-A Somerset

Fitts is one of my favorite pitchers in the Yankees system. Fitts was a 6th round pick in 2021. He was in consideration of being a first round pick until a leg injury sidelined him prior to the draft, killing his stock. But the Yankees selected him and he has not looked back since. Fitts is having a solid season for Somerset this year, and he could be fighting for a spot in the big league rotation as soon as next year.

2023 Somerset Stats:

20 Starts

113.2 IP

3.56 ERA

3.81 FIP

9.74 K/9

2.22 BB/9

1.35 HR/9

Fitts has a good arsenal, his fastball plays into the mid and high 90s, as well as a mid 80s sweeping slider that the Yankees covet, similar to Michael King. He also features a mid 80s changeup, a solid pitch. Fitts has been very solid this year, his sweeper plays off his fastball amazingly generating a lot of whiffs. Fitts has had an issue with the longball however, he’s gone through stretches of not being able to locate his fastball, leading to barrels and home runs. I really like Fitts’ potential to push for a rotation spot next year, he’ll be 24 by the time spring training starts, which I could definitely see him making a push for a rotation, especially if he develops a third pitch, specifically developing his changeup. If he does that, I really like Richard Fitts in the big league rotation in 2024.

10. C/OF Agustin Ramirez – Double-A Somerset

Ramirez has absolutely broken out this year between Low-A and High-A, and was reportedly promoted to Double-A as i’m writing this. Ramirez absolutely mashed in the lower minors and at just 21 years old, he could find a very big challenge in Double-A, as it is known to be the biggest jump in the minors, if he continues how he has been playing this year, he won’t be there long.

2023 Hudson Valley Stats:

26 G

117 PAs

.380 AVG

.427 OBP

.722 SLG

1.150 OPS

204 wRC+

13.7% K%

6.8% BB%

A big thing for Ramirez this season, he is rule 5 eligible in November, he may be someone the Yankees look to keep for the long term. His power tool is very good, as well as his entire offensive profile, he does not strike out much, his walk rate dipped compared to his numbers in Tampa, but that is expected when moving up a level. Ramirez is Rule 5 eligible at the end of the season, and I think the Yankees could protect him from the Rule 5 draft. His power tool alone makes him a very difficult prospect to lose for nothing.

Honorable Mentions :

Here are a few guys who were in consideration for this list and just missed:

RHP Clayton Beeter (Triple-A)

RHP Randy Vasquez (Triple-A)

OF Brando Mayea (DSL)

RHP Will Warren (Triple-A)

INF George Lombard Jr. (FCL)