Bronx Bomber Ball

Topping off our top prospect countdown coming in at number one on the list by no surprise is shortstop phenom Gleyber Torres. After being acquired from the Chicago Cubs in the Aroldis Chapman trade at the 2016 deadline, Torres has seen his prospect status skyrocket from the arguable top prospect in the Yankees organization, to the arguable top prospect in all of baseball. Despite turning 20 just a few months ago, Torres is ranked at number three on MLB Pipeline’s top prospect list, and with two Major League ready talents ahead of him, it’s only a matter of time before Andrew Benintendi and Yoan Moncada graduate off the list, propelling Torres to the top prospect in all of baseball. Photo Credit: Charles Wenzelberg | NY Post

Coming in at number two on our 2017 Top Prospect Countdown is Clint Frazier. Ever since his arrival to the Yankees organization last August, Frazier has been exciting to keep up with, both on and off the field. The young outfielder will likely be the successor to Brett Gardner in left field. It's doubtful that he'll make it to the majors this year, but Frazier will bring both his talent, and enthusiasm to the Bronx sooner rather than later. If there's any player within the Yankees farm system who is made for the bright lights of New York, it's Frazier. Trading away Andrew Miller was tough, but if Frazier pans out the way he is projected to, the Yankees could possibly have a perennial All-Star in the making manning left field for years to come. Photo Credit: Ken Inness/MILB.com 

Blake Rutherford is a 19-year-old, left hand hitting outfielder selected in the 2016 MLB amateur draft. The Yankees selected Rutherford with the 18th overall pick in the first round. Rutherford was born in New Jersey, but moved to Southern California at the age of two and attended  Chaminade College Preparatory School in Simi Valley. Senior year Rutherford batted .577 and clubbed nine homeruns, in only 27 games. He was invited to play in the Under Armour All American game in 2015 and also competed with the USA 18 and under team. His time with the USA team includes winning a gold medal in Japan. Photo via MiLB.com

Although MLB.com ranked Aaron Judge a few spots ahead of Jorge Mateo on their top-100 prospect list, we have it the other way around. The 21-year old middle infielder has eye popping raw ability. He did slip just a bit on the prospects top-100 list from 2016 to now, but be ready for a monster campaign where he ends up significantly higher heading into the 2018 season. Photo Credit: Kim Klement | USA TODAY Sports

The Baby Bombers got a taste of the big leagues last year, most notably Gary Sanchez took the league by storm. Another Baby Bomber to make their Major League debut was big man Aaron Judge, who infamously went back to back with Tyler Austin in their debut. Judge has come into Spring Training looking to lock up the starting right field job, but will be competing with Aaron Hicks in the process. Photo Credit: USA TODAY Sports

When the Yankees traded star reliever Andrew Miller to the Cleveland Indians prior to last year's trade deadline, they received quite a prospect package in return. While outfielder Clint Frazier has generated a considerable amount of excitement, 20-year old left hander Justus Sheffield has the potential to be the steal of this deal for the Bombers. It is an indisputable, and aggravating, fact that the Yankees have not developed an above average starting pitcher since the turn of the decade. Sheffield might end up being that guy for the Bombers. The 2014 first round draft pick has an impressive pitch arsenal. Sheffield may be a few years away from sniffing the majors; however, 2017 will still be a big year for the young left hander. As he enters his first full season with the Yankees organization, Sheffield will hope translate his raw talent into dominant numbers in the minors. Photo via NJ.com

James Kaprielian is a 23-year-old right-handed pitcher. The Yankees selected Kaprielian with the 15th overall pick of the 2015 MLB Amateur Draft. He starred at UCLA, where he was part of the first ever UCLA no-hitter. Kaprielian played high school baseball in Laguna Hills, California for Arnold O. Berkman High School. His high school stats included a 33-3 record and a 0.96 ERA. The Yankees viewed Kaprielian as a safe pick, projecting him as a “no doubt” middle of the rotation starter. Photo Credit: Matt Rourke | AP

After being drafted in the fifth round by the New York Yankees out of Dallas Baptist University, the Yankees may not have expected right-hander Chance Adams to develop into the pitcher he has become. Coming out of high school, Adams has always been a player that has flown under the radar. After spending two seasons at Yavapai Community College in Arizona, Adams transferred to Dallas Baptist, where he was a star out of the bullpen pitching to a 1.98 ERA. Initially drafted as that shut-down reliever, Adams has evolved his stuff into that of a starting pitcher, and his ease into this new role is what is causing him to skyrocket across prospect boards. Photo Credit: Martin Griff

As we get deeper and deeper into our organizational rankings, we get to guys who have the best chance at being something special. When you can hit 103 on a radar gun like Domingo Acevedo can, that screams special. We could be seeing this 22-year old a lot sooner than we expect. Photo Credit: Mark LoMoglio/Tampa Yankees

After having another strong season in 2016, Miguel Andujar was added to the 40 man roster this past winter to protect him from the Rule 5 draft and for good reason too. With Chase Headley manning third base at the moment we might have to wait a while to see Andujar in the Majors, but at this rate it will be sooner rather than later. Photo Credit: Travis Guyton

Dustin Fowler is a 22 year-old left handed outfielder. The Yankees drafted him in the 18th round of the 2013 MLB amateur draft. Fowler is from Dexter, Georgia; where he starred at West Laurens High School. The Yankees selected Fowler based on his superior defense and base running. Photo Credit: Martin Griff

At just 21-years young, Albert Abreu has a lot of baseball ahead of him. Abreu was one of the primary pieces the Yankees acquired from the Astros in the Brian McCann deal, and for good reason. Abreu is a four-pitch thrower, which is what we should classify him as more than a pitcher at this stage in his career.   Photo Credit: Jayne Hansen

When the Yankees became sellers for the first time in a long time leading up to last year's non-waiver trade deadline, they received a number of talented youngsters in exchange for the veterans they traded away. Dillon Tate was the biggest name coming to the Bombers in the trade that sent veteran Carlos Beltran to the Texas Rangers. Having drafted him with fourth overall pick in 2015, the Rangers had high hopes for Tate. The 22-year old right hander only has one minor league season under his belt, but Tate certainly has the "stuff" to succeed in the majors. Since 2017 will be his first full season with the Yankees organization, it will be interesting to see what adjustments Tate makes in his attempt to improve the disappointing stat line he put together in 2016. Photo Credit: Bill Mitchell/Baseball America

Wilkerman Garcia was one of the Yankees’ top signings during their 2014 international free agent spree when they signed him out of Venezuela for a $1.35 million bonus. Another shortstop prospect, Garcia has the talent that can move him up the system quickly. Photo Credit: Chad Gusler

Coming in at number 15 on our top prospect countdown is Ian Clarkin, a 22 year-old left handed pitcher in the Yankees organization. The Yankees selected him in the first round of the 2013 MLB amateur draft, with the 33 rd  overall draft pick. Clarkin had an impressive high school career, recording a lifetime 1.27 ERA during four years of varsity baseball at Madison High School. Interestingly, Clarkin will forever be connected to Aaron Judge, as he was selected directly after the burly outfielder when the Yankees selected them back-to-back.   Photo Credit: Bryan Green | Pinstriped Prospects

After being acquired from the Detroit Tigers in the Justin Wilson deal at the Winter Meetings in 2015, Chad Green played his first year with the Yankees last season. As a 6'3" right-hander with good stuff, Green dominated in Triple-A, forcing his way to the big leagues for spot starts and appearances out of the bullpen. Green comes into this spring as one of four or five guys competing for the final two spots in the rotation, and wth a good spring, Green could start the year in the rotation, thus graduating off this prospect list early. Photo Credit: Jim McIsaac

Entering his fifth season in the Yankees organization after being drafted in the fourth round of the 2013 MLB Draft by the Yankees, Tyler Wade comes into the BBB’s top prospect rankings at #17. Admittedly, (and unfortunately), Wade may not be ranked high enough on this list. Playing this entire season at age 22, Wade already has MLB-ready level tools in the field, and after putting on 10 pounds in upper-body muscle mass this offseason, he could continue climbing this list with a strong season. If Wade’s bat can catch up to his plus tools in the field and his plus speed tool, you can look for this versatile prospect to take a major leap in our rankings, and possibly make a push for the big leagues toward the end of 2017. Photo Credit: Tomasso de Rosa

Tyler Austin made quite the impression during his major league debut last August. Austin and fellow rookie Aaron Judge hit back-to-back home runs in their first Major League at-bats. Following his explosive entry to the Bronx, Austin cooled off considerably, still managing to show promise. Heading into 2017, Austin was expected to compete with Greg Bird in spring training for the starting first base job. Austin's versatility has made him a reliable option to play both corner outfield positions and third base, along with first. Unfortunately for both Austin and the Yankees, the 25-year old broke his left foot. The injury will sideline Austin for approximately six weeks. The recent signing of first baseman Chris Carter softens the detriment of Austin's injury; however, the Yankees are still hoping he can make an impact upon recovering from his broken foot. Photo Credit: Adam Hunger/Associated Press

While Gleyber Torres and Justus Sheffield got all the attention in the Aroldis Chapman blockbuster trade this past summer, outfielder Billy McKinney was an interesting fourth piece. McKinney has finished as high as #88 on MLB.com’s prospect list and #85 on Baseball America’s top prospect list. Since his stock dropped significantly in 2016, the Yankees were able to buy low and roll the  dice. Photo Credit:  Gregg Slaboda   Breakdown: At 6’1” and 205 pounds, left handed outfielder Billy McKinney was the 24th  overall pick by the Oakland Athletics in 2013 out of Plano West Senior High School in Plano, Texas. A year later, McKinney was traded along with shortstop Addison Russell and pitcher Dan Straily to the Chicago Cubs for pitchers Jason Hammel and Jeff Samardzija. McKinney has put up some decent numbers over his minor league career, including his 2015 season when he batted .300 with seven home runs and 64 RBIs in 106 games across High A and Double ...

Drew Finley was drafted by the Yankees in the third round of the 2015 draft out of baseball powerhouse Rancho Bernando High School in Sand Diego after posting a 0.81 ERA and 131 strikeouts in 86 innings his senior year. The Yankees signed him relatively quickly for a $950,000 bonus that was well above the $626,000 slot recommendation. Keith Law and Baseball America ranked Finley as the 26th and 60th best prospect in the 2015 draft class, respectively, but his stock has fallen since then. Photo Credit: Griffin Stanley