Yankees' top ten pitching prospect June update

The Yankees have a top-three farm system in all of baseball even with the graduation of a handful of players due to their contributions at the MLB level. The strength of their farm system at the moment is, by far, pitching. According to MLB.com’s rankings, 22 of the Yankees top 30 prospects are pitchers. With an influx of young offensive players becoming major leaguers in the Bronx in recent seasons, such as, Gary Sanchez, Aaron Judge, Clint Frazier, Greg Bird, Miguel Andujar, Tyler Austin, Tyler Wade, and Gleyber Torres, the Yankees’ front office has made it a point to try to build up their pitching depth and have successfully done so. Here is an update on the Yankees’ top ten pitching prospects.

 

Photo Credit: Chat Sports

Stats are as of June 28, and MLB.com rankings were used

Justus Sheffield #2, Triple-A and Double-A, 22-years old

W-L	IP	ERA	K	WHIP	K/9	BB/9	K:BB
2-5	72.2	2.60	82	1.16	10.2	4.1	2.48

Sheffield is having a fantastic season and has settled in nicely since he was called up to Triple-A. His WHIP is low, despite his high walk rate, which speaks for how little hitters are able to square the ball up on him. His walk-rate has improved since the last time we checked in on him, which shows he is making adjustments. Sheffield is undeniably the Yankees’ top pitching prospect and has been thrown around in trade rumors if the Yankees were to try to acquire an ace-caliber pitcher. It is not completely out of the question that Sheffield is called up later in the summer for a spot start or as a lefty reliever in the bullpen.

Albert Abreu #3, High-A, 22-years old

W-L	IP	ERA	K	WHIP	K/9	BB/9	K:BB
3-2	42.1	4.04	49	1.28	10.4	4.3	2.45

Abreu started off strong for the Tampa Tarpons but has since regressed after posting a 2.13 ERA in 12.2 innings. He is still striking hitters out at a solid rate, but has had some issues with the long ball as he gave up four of them in one start back on May 21. Since that start, however, Abreu has posted a 3.16 ERA. Abreu could be another pitcher the Yankees offer up in trades if they would rather hold on to Justus Sheffield. His power fastball and upside could attract a lot of sellers on the market.

Chance Adams #4, Triple-A, 23-years old

W-L	IP	ERA	K	WHIP	K/9	BB/9	K:BB
2-3	65.2	5.21	71	1.31	9.7	4.2	2.29

The breakout starter of 2017 is in the midst of a 2018 to forget. He has lowered his ERA by almost half a run since mid-May, but that isn’t saying much as it still sits at 5.21, a far cry from the numbers he put up last season. He has had two phenomenal outings this season where he has gone seven innings and given up one or less runs, but has followed both of those outings with clunkers on the hill. Adams has flashed signs of his former self, but is not putting up consistent numbers in 2018. As a result, Adams is no longer considered a prized trade chip for the Yankees as teams may be cautious about acquiring his services as a trade center piece.

 

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Luis Medina #5, Rookie Ball, 19-years old

W-L	IP	ERA	K	WHIP	K/9	BB/9	K:BB
0-0	4.2	5.79	4	2.14	7.7	15.4	0.50

The Yankees' stud 19-year-old has started off the season very poorly for the Pulaski Yankees. He pitched four scoreless innings in his first start, but walked four batters on 78 pitches. His next outing was horrendous as he did not make it out of the first inning, walking three hitters and allowing three runs. His first start showed his promise, but the 15.4 BB/9 has to be cut down tremendously over the summer months in order for him to move up through the system.

Freicer Perez #6, High-A, 22-years old

W-L	IP	ERA	K	WHIP	K/9	BB/9	K:BB
0-4	25.0	7.20	20	1.88	7.2	6.8	1.05

Perez has been on the minor league disabled list since May 9 with shoulder inflammation. He is another name that could be a mid-tier piece for a possible starting pitcher, but his poor performance prior to the DL and his injury history could scare off some teams. Perez has been compared to Dellin Betances, and his fastball touches 100 mph.

Domingo Acevedo #7, Double-A, 24-years old

W-L	IP	ERA	K	WHIP	K/9	BB/9	K:BB
2-1	33	2.73	23	1.18	6.3	3.0	2.09

Acevedo ends the trend of Yankees prospects having disappointing season as he has pitched very well since returning from an almost month long DL stint. His strikeout numbers are down from his past seasons, but he is demonstrating excellent control as he has not walked more than two in any outing since his return. He has been kept on a pitch count, however, as he has not exceeded 80 pitches since his return, despite solid outings.

Dillon Tate #9, Double-A, 24-years old

W-L	IP	ERA	K	WHIP	K/9	BB/9	K:BB
4-2	71.2	3.27	65	1.07	8.2	2.5	3.25

Tate is enjoying a solid season at Trenton and should be in line for a promotion soon. None of his numbers stick out in particular, but he is proving that the Yankees acquired the pre-2016 Dillon Tate where he was a consensus top prospect. His best start of the season was on June 15 when he struck out 10 hitters across 6.1 IP. Like Acevedo, his success is centered around his pitch location as the stuff is there.

Matt Sauer #10, Low-A, 19-years old

W-L	IP	ERA	K	WHIP	K/9	BB/9	K:BB
0-0	10.0	0.90	5	0.50	4.5	1.8	2.0

Sauer has only pitched in two games for the Staten Island Yankee thus far, but has looked phenomenal. He had mediocre stats in six outings in rookie ball last season, so it is very encouraging to see him coming out of the gate in 2018 pitching extremely well. The Yankees' top prep pick of 2017 draft could rise through the system fast.

 

Photo Credit: AP

Clarke Schmidt #11, Rookie Ball, 22-years old

W-L	IP	ERA	K	WHIP	K/9	BB/9	K:BB
0-0	1.0	18.00	2	3.00	18.0	0.0	18

The Yankees top pick from a year ago is healthy, and that is what matters most to the organization. He was in the midst of recovering from Tommy John surgery when he was drafted and has officially recovered as he made his pro debut last week. Only time can tell if he can be the pitcher the Yankees hoped they were getting with their first round pick.

Jonathan Loaisiga #12, High-A, Double-A, MLB 23-years old

W-L	IP	ERA	K	WHIP	K/9	BB/9	K:BB
8-1	59.0	2.75	76	1.17	11.6	1.56	6.33

Johnny Lasagna’s minor league success has been replicated at the major league level so far. He has produced two very solid MLB outings out of the three games he has pitched, even taking a no-hitter into the sixth inning versus the Phillies. Odds are he won’t remain a prospect for long if he keeps pitching well at the game’s highest level. Loaisiga is doing this with minimal experience at Double-A or higher.

Article by: Ryan Thoms

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