KEEPING UP WITH THE YANKEE PROSPECTS!

Throughout the preseason and over the course of the year, BYB takes an in depth look at some of the young kids making their mark within the organization. A few weeks into the season, some of them are off to a hot start while others are struggling, as can be expected with young kids. Here's a quick recap of some of the Yankees top prospects.

Over his first two starts, Yankees top prospect Luis Severino is 1-0 with a 0.90 ERA for Double-A Trenton. He has struck out 12 in 10 innings while allowing just four hits and walking four. All four walks came in his last start in which he didn't have his best stuff but managed to battle through five one-run innings. Thunder pitching coach Jose Rosado called him a bulldog who has never been intimidated. Severino is on his way up to The Show and should be a staple there for years to come.

The monster 6' 7" OF Aaron Judge is off to a nice start in Trenton as well batting .302 over his first 15 games played. Judge has blasted two homers, including a walk off moon shot last week to propel the Thunder to victory. He has added a double, a triple, six RBI and five runs scored so far on the young season. Scouts have compared him to Giancarlo Stanton (nice!) and he should be hitting in the heart of the Yankees lineup before too long.

First Base prospect, Greg Bird, is off to s slower start down in Trenton batting just .226 with a home run and an RBI over 15 games and 53 at-bats. He has scored 10 runs and drawn 9 walks to just 8 strikeouts. On Tuesday night, Bird went 2-for-3 with a double, RBI and a run as he, Judge and Eric Jagielo powered the Thunder to victory. Bird opened eyes this spring and many within the organization are excited for his potential.

Second baseman, Rob Refsnyder, has had a tough start defensively committing five errors over the Triple-A Scranton's first 11 games. He is batting .217 with a 3 doubles and 6 RBI. Originally an OF prospect, Refsnyder moved to second in 2013 with the hopes of being fast tracked to the Big Leagues. The Yankees could throw him back out into the outfield but he doesn't really possess the power to be a right fielder and the Yankees have a solid group of outfield prospects he would likely have to overcome. The experiment at second is still underway and with some much improved defense, he could be a good second baseman for the Yankees.

22 year-old Gary Sanchez is off to a slow start offensively batting just .195 with a home run, a double and three RBI over his first 11 games for Double-A Trenton. Sanchez is seen by many as the catcher of the future but still has work to do. Sanchez has belted 18, 15 and 13 home runs over several levels over the past three seasons and has some serious upside. He is still a year or two away from the Bronx but he should be seen in pinstripes someday soon.

2014 top draft pick, relief pitcher Jacob Lindgren, has started the season at Triple-A Scranton and many believe he will be in the Bronx sometime this summer. He has a 94 MPH fastball and lights out slider in his arsenal. He has appeared in five games so far going 0-1 with a 2.25 ERA over 8.0 innings. Lindgren has struck out nine to just three walks in his first action above Double-A ball. The Yankees seem to want him to gain a little more professional experience before he joins an already solid bullpen.

While we are only a couple weeks in, there are some solid signs of life down in the minors for the Yankees. A few guys are turning heads while others have work to do and plenty of time to do it. We at BYB will surely be giving you updates on some of the stars of the future over the course of the season. Have a great day Yankee faithful!

(written the the morning of 4/26)

  
Dan Lucia
BYB Writer
Twitter: @DManLucia




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