1. Jesus Montero, C. Montero leads every list of Yankees prospects because he is that good. At least with the bat. Questions abound about his defense and whether or not he will be able to stay behind the plate. If he figures it out the Yankees could be looking at a real prize here. Starting 2011 in Scranton isn't the worst thing but it also says the Yankees aren't totally convinced here. He was once considered untouchable but he was dealt to Seattle for Cliff Lee before the Mariners reneged on the deal and sent Lee to Texas. I can see the Yankees trading him but think it would take a lot in return. Last year he hit .289 with 21 homers and drove in 75. Not bad considering the slow start he got off to last season. Oh, and he was only 20. Now old enough to drink an alcoholic beverage he should be putting on a display that will leave fans at PNC Field thinking they are the ones who have been drinking. Expected arrival in the Bronx: 2011
2. Manny Banuelos, LHP. A small sample size to draw from last year because he missed the beginning of the season because of an appendectomy. Now healthy, he received a looong look in Spring Training this year and performed well. He has a poise that you just can't teach on the mound. He mixes his pitches well and has excellent command of the strike zone. He is small, only 5'10" but his stuff plays much bigger as he can dial up to the mid 90's with his fastball. There is a lot to like here. He will start off at AA but if he dominates he could find himself toeing the hill in Scranton. I doubt he sees the Bronx this year but next year could be a different story. Potential ace here. Expected arrival in the Bronx: 2012
3. Gary Sanchez, C. Two catchers in the top three? Yep. In fact, Sanchez might even be a better player all around than Montero. Sanchez has an uncanny feel for the strike zone as a hitter and can just flat out mash. He will only be 19 but it wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility to see him taste AA this year. There are questions about his defense but less than about Montero's. Expected arrival in the Bronx: 2013.
4. Dellin Betances, RHP. Health has been an issue for the 6'8" Brooklyn native but the potential is there. He needs to command the strike zone a little better but his stuff is nasty, striking out 88 hitters at A Tampa in only 71 innings. He will start the year at AA Trenton where he struck out 20 in 14.1 innings. If he can stay healthy he might be the best pitching prospect in the system. My only question is does his stuff translate to closer-type stuff or can he be a top of the rotation starter? Expected arrival in the Bronx: 2012.
5. Andrew Brackman, RHP. This kid stands 6'10" tall and might as wel be standing on a mountain rather than a pitching mound. His stuff is still coming together after missing over a year due to Tommy John surgery. It took him a couple of years to put it together and last year he began to do just that. He cut his walk rate by over half and struck out around 8 per 9. He has to continue to clean up his delivery but he could eventually stand tall as an ace of a staff in the Bronx. Or, he could become a dominant closer. Personally, I think he is more valuable as a starter and should be on the bump for the Yankees for years to come. He could get the call up to the big league club this year but will start at AAA. Expected arrival in the Bronx: 2011
6. Hector Noesi, RHP. Noesi's command of the strike zone is off the charts. He averaged less than 2 walks per nine and owns a K/BB rate of over 5! To me he rates as an excellent set-up man and could see his major league debut come this season. Until then he will hone his craft at AAA but the Yankees can't ignore this kid for much longer.
7. Ivan Nova, RHP. We have already seen what he can do in the Bronx last year. Great the first two times through a lineup and horrbile in the third go around. Nova is a finesse pitcher that depends on his change-up and location. He will start the year as the Yankees #4 starter after a lights out Spring Training and should adapt to hitters as they have been adapting to him. He projects as a back of the rotation type, exactly where he is now. The Yankees could do a lot worse. Nova could be a mainstay in the Bronx for years to come. Expected arrival in the Bronx: Already there.
8. Adam Warren, RHP. Warren, like Banuelos, saw an increase in velocity and has impeccable command. It is hard to gauge where he projects but a back of the rotation type starter and innings eater is the worst it can get for this guy. He did have a 15 K game at Trenton last year and will probably start the year there again but will be in Scranton by June. If injuries ravish the Yankees they could give Warren a shot. He also doesn't surrender home runs, owning a 0.2 HR/9 rate last year which speaks volumes. Expected arrival in the Bronx: 2011.
9. Brandon Laird, 3B. Has power to spare. Unfortunately he doesn't do much else that well. His defense doesn't stand out at any position and his contact rate dropped big time after his promotion to AAA but he was the Eastern League MVP at AA after hitting .291 with 23 homers and 90 RBI. The Yankees might try him in left field or if A-Rod gets hurt he could be called up to man third base in a pinch. If he can adapt to AAA pitching and continue to progress the Yankees might have a decent bat. If not he could find himself trade bait. Expected arrival in the Bronx: Cup of coffee in 2011.
10. Austin Romine, C. The third catcher on this list. Romine's defense is world's above Montero's and Sanchez's but is not exactly stellar. He probably will stay behind the plate if for no other reason his offense at catcher rates better than anywhere else on the field. Romine will start the year at AA but could see a promotion to AAA. He won't be an all-star at the major league level but he will surely be a solid starting catcher for years to come. Expected arrival in the Bronx: 2013.
Honorable mentions in no particular order: Graham Stoneburner, RHP. Slade Heathcott, OF. Cito Culver, SS. David Phelps, RHP. David Adams, 2B. J.R. Murphy, C. Brett Marhsall, RHP. Eduardo Nunez, SS.
Well, that's my list. Have your own? Share it in the comments. Don't like one of my picks? Let me know. Did I miss someone? Let me know.
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