The Rich Get Richer After Sequence Of Trades

The Yankees farm system got rich last summer, then got richer still in the offseason.

New York acquired its top two prospects—shortstop Gleyber Torres and outfielder Clint Frazier—when they cashed in closers Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller last July.

Then on Nov. 17, the Yankees sent catcher Brian McCann and $11 million to the Astros for two young arms capable of pushing radar guns into the high 90s.

Righthanders Albert Abreu and Jorge Guzman didn’t draw the same level of attention as Torres, Frazier or others, but they did help push the Yankees’ system to No. 2 on this year’s organization talent rankings.

Abreu, in particular, is off to a scintillating start to his Yankees career.

In three games (two starts) at low Class A Charleston, Abreu struck out 22 and walked three while recording a 1.84 ERA. At that point, the Yankees promoted the 21-year-old Dominican to high Class A Tampa.

“He was lights out and proved he didn’t belong in the South Atlantic League,” general manager Brian Cashman said of Abreu, whom the Astros signed in 2013. “He is an exciting talent. They both are, but Abreu is a little more advanced.”

According to minor league pitching coordinator Danny Borrell, Abreu doesn’t fall into the trap of creating velocity with a violent delivery.

“He has a nice, easy delivery,” Borrell said. “He is not overthrowing at 97-98 (mph). He has a clean delivery for a guy who hasn’t had that much experience.”

The 21-year-old Guzman opened the season at extended spring training, and the 6-foot-2 Dominican’s fastball has been clocked in triple digits.

Cashman said there was no physical problem with Guzman, who signed with Houston in 2014 and finished last season at Rookie-level Greeneville.

— George King covers the Yankees for the New York Post