[존 시켈스] 뉴욕 양키즈 유망주 TOP 20

존 시켈스가 뉴욕 양키즈의 유망주 랭킹을 올렸군요. 탑 레벨의 유망주는 부족해 보이지만 전체적으로 뎁스는 상당한 팜이군요. 그동안 드래프트와 해외 유망주에게 투자한 돈이 있으니....지난해 랭킹과 비교해서 보니 단테 비셋 주니어의 폭락이 눈에 들어오는군요. 아무래도 상위 레벨에서 선구안에 문제점을 보여준 것이....

1) Gary Sanchez, C, Grade B+: Youngest of the top Yankee hitting prospects, and plays the most difficult position, showing enough defensive improvement to give decent hope that he can stick there.

2) Tyler Austin, OF, Grade B+: Tremendous instincts, solid tools, and hits for power and average. How did this guy last until the 13th round?

3) Mason Williams, OF, Grade B: Borderline B+: Tools are a notch ahead of Austin's, but Tyler wins on current polish and makeup and they are the same age. It is also unclear how much power Williams will develop. Speed and defense should be very valuable.

4) Slade Heathcott, OF, Grade B: Oldest of the quartet at age 22 and injury history is discouraging, but he's starting to tap his power and I was very impressed with him in the Arizona Fall League. An outfield of Heathcott in left, Williams in center, and Austin in right would be stellar defensively and highly-productive on offense if everyone maxes out their hitting skills.

5) Brett Marshall, RHP, Grade B-: Marshall is the best pitching prospect by default, thanks to the health problems of Banuelos and Campos, and the simple uncertainty regarding DePaula. Mid-rotation projection, should be a nice inning-eater.

6) Jose Campos, RHP, Grade B-: First class stuff and he threw strikes in his 25 innings in Low-A, but was shut down with elbow problems. Higher ceiling than Marshall, but will his arm hold up? I'm cautious until we know.

7) Angelo Gumbs, 2B, Grade B-: What's with all the elbow problems? Lost half the year with a torn ligament but at least it was non-throwing elbow. Turning into a fine defender, uses his speed well, should develop more power. Transition to High-A at age 20 should prove interesting.

8) Mark Montgomery, RHP, Grade B-: It is tough to rank relief prospects, but this guy has it: outstanding slider, good fastball, good control, excellent performance metrics. Clear closer potential, at least for many organizations.

9) Ty Hensley, RHP, Grade B-: First round pick from Oklahoma high school ranks, looks like he can develop into a hard-throwing workhorse, assuming that the "shoulder abnormality" revealed by his physical is no big deal.

10) Manny Banuelos, LHP, Grade B-: Will miss the season recovering from Tommy John. Tough to rank, and he wasn't living up to his press clippings even before he got hurt.
11) Nik Turley, LHP, Grade B-: Sleeper prospect woke up with sound season in High-A. Mid-rotation upside, and he's still under most radars.

12) Corey Black, RHP, Grade B-: Got up to 100 MPH after signing out of Faulkner University in the fourth round and command was better than expected in pro ball. Could move very quickly.

13) Rafael DePaula, RHP, Grade C+: Borderline B-. Very difficult to rank on a list like this. His upside is obvious and he could end up much higher on the list quickly, but he hasn't pitched against remotely appropriate competition and he turns 22 in March. I am in the process of studying him in greater depth and this grade may change considerably before the book goes to press, as well as his ranking on this list. I will let you know what the final decision is.

14) JR Murphy, C, Grade C+: Defense is improving but bat seems stagnant. Still has time at age 21/22 to grow into his potential.

15) Ramon Flores, OF, Grade C+: Tweener perhaps but he consistently plays above his tools and does a little bit of everything. Would make a fine fourth outfielder behind Heathcott/Williams/Austin.

16) Bryan Mitchell, RHP, Grade C+: Above-average curveball and slider give him strong K/IP and H/IP marks in Low-A, but he's got to sharpen his command. Another guy with mid-rotation upside.

17) Austin Romine, C, Grade C+: Not great against baserunners, but otherwise sound defensively. Bat seems stagnant and back injury didn't help. Should have a long career but not likely to become a star.

18) Corban Joseph, 2B, Grade C+: Under the radar guy but has shown potent offense in the high minors despite blah batting averages due to patience and moderate power. Not sure how he fits into roster scheme but would make a nice trade chit.

19) Nick Goody, RHP, Grade C+: The Yankees do good work finding the college relievers and LSU product Goody could follow in Montgomery's footsteps as a bullpen dominator if the early results are any indication.

20) Dante Bichette JR, 3B, Grade C+: Borderline C. You could slot toolsy-but-impatient outfielders Zoilo Almonte or Melky Mesa here and both will be ready far sooner than Bichette. Both also have significant problems with plate discipline which will likely prevent them from reaching their potential, though they could be useful as reserves. Bichette, meanwhile, is a sound defender at third base who didn't hit nearly as well as expected in Low-A. He will get more chances to live up to his bloodline.

OTHERS: David Adams, 2B; Zoilo Almonte, OF; Austin Aune, SS; Dellin Betances, RHP; Gregory Bird, 1B; Daniel Camarena, LHP; Jordan Cote, RHP; Cito Culver, SS; Rookie Davis, RHP; Tom Kahnle, RHP; Melky Mesa, OF; Ronnier Mustelier, UT; Vidal Nuno, LHP; Branden Pinder, RHP; Jose Pirela, UT; Jose A. Ramirez, RHP; Rob Refsnyder, OF; Francisco Rondon, LHP; Ravel Santana, OF; Adam Warren, RHP; Chase Whitley, RHP.