New York Yankees 2019 Top 30 MLB Prospects Midseason Update

Image credit: Deivi Garcia (Photo by Tom DiPace)

The Yankees’ series of deadline deals over the past few years has left their system mostly devoid of prospects who are likely to impact the big league team this summer. Righthander Deivi Garcia, whose stock has skyrocketed with his continued domination, would be the most likely candidate, and he is also among the team’s most coveted trade prospects.

There is considerable depth in the system, however, including a wealth of high-velocity righthanded pitchers and intriguing position players. The former group is fronted by Luis Gil, who has continued to show a huge fastball from a loose, athletic frame. His offspeed stuff has sharpened enough that he’s gone from wild-card arm to among the best pitching prospects in the system.

The second group is led by outfielders Estevan Florial (whose progress has been stymied by injuries), Everson Pereira and Antonio Cabello, as well as shortstop Oswald Peraza. Only Peraza has cracked full-season ball, but opposing scouts see bright potential for all four of those players.

Overall, the system is thin at the top but has another wave of talented prospects ready to make their marks in the coming years.

1. Deivi Garcia, RHP

After cruising through four starts in the Florida State League, Garcia has thoroughly dominated his first elongated test at Double-A. He’s added a slider this season, and leads all minor league starters with nearly 15 strikeouts per nine innings.

2. Estevan Florial, OF

Florial’s season started with another broken wrist (the same injury that cost him a bulk of the 2018 season), and he’s just recently returned from the injured list. Scouts still see a potential impact player, but he needs plenty of reps to get back on track.

3. Everson Pereira, OF

The Yankees challenged Pereira in the Appy League as a 17-year-old, and has impressed evaluators with his blend of potential hittability and power.

4. Luis Gil, RHP

The return from the Twins in the Jake Cave deal, Gil has made huge strides with his changeup. Combine that with athleticism, a huge fastball and a nasty breaking ball and you have a potentially high-end starter.

5. Oswald Peraza, SS

The 19-year-old showed hints of his potential in the Appalachian League in 2018, and added strength has helped him raise his profile and hold his own in the college-heavy New York-Penn League.

6. Antonio Cabello, OF

Cabello tore up the Gulf Coast League in 2018 with tools that portended a hitter with the potential to produce both average and power as well as speed that could keep him in center field.

7. Albert Abreu, RHP

There are plenty of questions as to whether Abreu can remain a starter, but he has the stuff to be a weapon out of the bullpen if that’s where he lands.

8. Roansy Contreras, RHP

Smaller righthander with an impressive three-pitch mix, though there’s still room to improve in terms of sequencing and there are concerns about whether he has projection remaining.

9. Anthony Volpe, SS

The New Jersey high school product doesn’t have a true standout tool, but his solid all-around skill set should allow him to stick at shortstop and give him a chance at a long major league career.

10. Jonathan Loaisiga, RHP

The diminutive righthander has shown excellent stuff in the big leagues, but has not shown the ability to stay healthy for extended periods of time.

11. Anthony Seigler, C

12. Yoendrys Gomez, RHP

13. Michael King, RHP

14. Matt Sauer, RHP

15. Garrett Whitlock, RHP

16. Clarke Schmidt, RHP

17. Nick Nelson, RHP

18. T.J. Sikkema, LHP

19. Luis Medina, RHP

20. Alexander Vizcaino, RHP

21. Raimfer Salinas, OF

22. Thairo Estrada, SS

23. Josh Smith, SS

24. Josh Stowers, OF

25. Osiel Rodriguez, RHP

26. Canaan Smith, OF

27. Kevin Alcantara, OF

28. Antonio Gomez, C

29. Alexander Vargas, SS

30. Ryder Green, OF

RISING

RHP Luis Gil has taken enough strides with his changeup to make evaluators believe he has a future in a big league rotation.

A much-improved changeup has helped RHP Alexander Vizcaino move his way into the Top 30. If his breaking ball continues developing he could rise even higher.

Shortstop Oswald Peraza’s strength gains have raised his profile among scouts, who still believe he can stick at shortstop.

FALLING

RHP Trevor Stephan struggled in a return to Double-A and was demoted to high Class A Tampa.

Catcher Jason Lopez has struggled mightily in a return to the Florida State League.

GRADUATING

SS Tyler Wade has never hit enough to stick in the big leagues, but Didi Gregorius’ injury opened a hole for him to eclipse the 150 at-bat threshold.

OF Mike Tauchman was acquired in a small deal toward the end of spring training and performed well in the stead of various injured outfielders.