Tim Norton, RP. OK, so he is 28 years old which is old for a prospect. However, everywhere Norton has gone he has dominated. He is currently in his fifth minor league season and has been bitten by the injury bug. He began his minor league career as a starter but has taken to relief work like a moth to flame. He has a big frame, at 6'5" and 230 lbs, Norton creates a presence on the mound. He has a mid-90's fastball but can reach back for a little something extra when needed with a changeup and slider/splitter. Norton has whiffed 195 batters in 168.2 career innings while walking only 38 during the same span. So far in this young season he has pitched 1 inning and fanned all three batters he faced at AA Trenton. Because of his past injuries, the Yankees would like to see him stay healthy for an entire year but he could be called upon either this year or next to fill a void in the bullpen. I definitely see Norton contributing in the Bronx in the near future, possibly filling a David Robertson-type role. Right now he is at AA Trenton but will be in Scranton before the year is out, if not in the Bronx.
Slade Heathcott, OF. The Yankees 2009 first round draft pick came to the Yankees with a ton of promise but was considered very raw and a few teams questioned his maturity. Since joining the Yankees organization Heathcott has displayed maturity and a hard-nosed playing style both in the field and on the bases but has shown an excellent eye at the plate which is unusual for a player as young as Slade. Last season he was at Low A Charleston and at the age of 19 hit .258 with 2 home runs, 30 RBI, and 15 stolen bases in 25 attempts. He did strike out 101 times in only 298 at bats with 42 walks mixed in. Slade has a lot of work to do to reach elite prospect status but the tools are there, including a rocket arm and blazing speed. This year he is back at Charleston (and is off to a hot start already equaling his home run output from last season in 1 game and adding 2 doubles and a triple to go along with 6 RBI's...not bad for 3 games, eh?). The Yankees won't rush him, allowing him to hone his skills. However, a few years down the road and this kid could be the starting center fielder. Get ready to be thrilled if this kid puts it together.
J.R. Murphy, C/3B. The Yankees are stocked at catcher with Jesus Montero, Gary Sanchez, and Austin Romine all ranking among the Yankees top prospects so Murphy is being tried at several positions this year to give him playing time. Like Heathcott, he was taken in the 2009 draft as a second rounder and also like Heathcott he is back at Charleston after having played there last year. Last season at Charleston Murphy hit .255 with 7 homers and drove in 54 with 15 doubles and two triples. Murphy has a little speed for a catcher, having stolen 4 bags in 9 tries. Defensively he is not an elite type catcher and is extremely raw behind the plate. He did play a lot of outfield before being drafted so a switch back there could make it easier for him. Power wise Murphy is currently being predicted to grade out around 20 homers which might not be enough from a corner outfield position. Right now it seems like the Yankees are prepping him to be a super platoon player, able to play the outfield, both corner infield positions, and catcher. It will be interesting to see how his bat develops with all of these new positions being thrown at him but he could develop into an above average ballplayer at the big league level.
Mason Williams, OF. This guy can run. The son of former NFL wide receiver Derwin Williams, Mason has that "toolsy" label which means the talent is there it just has to be developed. About the only tool Williams doesn't have right now is power. He was the Yankees 4th round draft pick last season and only played in 5 games last season for the Gulf Coast League Yankees so there isn't much professional experience to draw upon but scouts ranked him as a first round talent but the Yankees were able to snatch him up in the 4th round due to the thought he would opt for college instead of signing. However, the Yankees enticed Williams with a little extra cash. Prior to the draft scouts compared him to a Doug Glanville type player which isn't a bad player to have on your roster. He could end up being a Brett Gardner/Greg Golson type player who uses his speed and defense to get on a big league roster. If he develops some power he could be a legit star. It will be a while before he gets to the Bronx.
Rob Segedin, 3B. Segedin entered last season's draft with a reputation as one of the better college hitters in the draft. He raked to the tune of .434/.518/.788 (AVG/OBP/SLG) at Tulane with 14 home runs. Injuries pushed him down on many draft boards and the Yankees grabbed him up in the 3rd round. He has suffered from back and shoulder injuries in the past and these could hinder his development if they persist. However, if he manages to stay healthy he could move up the ladder quickly due to his college experience. The Yankees will take their time with him unless he forces their hand by playing extremely well. Has drawn a lot of comparisons to Brandon Laird which is either a good thing or a bad thing.
Thomas Kahnle, RP. Kahnle is an interesting case. The Yankees nabbed him in the 5th round of the 2010 draft. He fell in their laps because of signability concerns because he was a draft eligible sophmore (like Segedin) and teams thought he would have higher salary demands but he signed with the Yankees for $150,000. Kahnle has been clocked up to 99 MPH but his fastball, his best pitch, usually sits around 94-96 MPH. He made his professional debut last year for Staten Island and quickly made an impression striking out 25 batters in only 16 innings and allowing only 1 run and three hits. Three hits! He did walk 5 batters which is a little high for only 16 innings but is understandable for a guy in his first pro year at 20 years old. If he develops a good secondary pitch to offset the speed of his fastball he could be the Yankees closer of the future. At the very least he should be an excellent middle reliever like Daniel Bard is now for the Red Sox. Kahnle could make his Yankees debut sooner rather than later if he can command the strike zone. Since he was a starter in college and is a reliever now innings shouldn't be a problem in his development. I wouldn't be surprised if he finds his way to AA or AAA this season and the Bronx next year.
Ramon Flores, OF. This kid, who is only 19, has an uncanny batting eye. In 3 professional seasons split between the Yankees Dominican Summer League team, Charleston, Tampa, and the GCL Yanks, he has only struck out 82 times in 515 plate appearances while managing 64 walks. He took some time to develop but broke out last season with the GCL Yankees, raking to the tun of .329/.436/.481 (AVG/OBP/SLG). He was only 18. Even more impressive was he walked more than he struck out, 28 BB's to 22 K's. I don't know if he will develop into a big power hitter since he is only 5'10" and 150 lbs. but the line drives should fly off his bat. He will be joining Slade Heathcott, JR Murphy, Rob Segedin, Thomas Kahnle, and Gary Sanchez at Charleston this year, making Charleston one of the more exciting Yankee affiliates this Summer. His knowledge of the strike zone and his ability to slap balls should make Flores a fast-tracker up the ladder. Not too fast but fast for a 19 year old hitter.
Any Yankee minor leaguer you want to know about leave a comment.
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