Corban Joseph

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked New York Yankees #27 prospect in 2013
  The younger brother of Orioles minor league catcher Caleb Joseph, Corban reached Triple-A for the first time in 2012 and posted career bests in home runs (15), slugging (.465) and OPS (.840). Joseph has an easy line-drive stroke, swings at strikes and draws walks. Scouts fret about the movement in his hands before he swings, yet he makes consistent hard contact and added loft power last season. He has significant limitations, though, and doesn't run well, with fringy range and fair footwork. Most scouts consider him a below-average defender at second base. New York has worked him at third base, including in big league camp last spring, and he has taken fly balls in the outfield during pregame drills as well. If Joseph maintains his power production, he could hit enough to be a regular. Otherwise, his bat could make him a useful utilityman.
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  Ranked New York Yankees #20 prospect in 2011
  Joseph's brother Caleb catches in the Orioles system, and while Caleb is two years older, Corban caught up to him, finishing 2010 in the Eastern League with him. Once Jesus Montero graduates to the majors, Joseph could succeed him as the system's best pure hitter, thanks to a smooth, loose swing that's short and quick to the ball. He's one of the more patient hitters in the system, and his 58 walks ranked second among Yankees farmhands in 2010. Joseph's other tools lag behind his hitting, and he'll have to improve his power to become a possible everyday player in New York. He needs to get stronger and he'll need to adjust the load in his swing, which adds some strength to his stroke without providing enough pop. Some scouts question whether he'll be able to fix his load. Defensively, Joseph is just adequate at second base, and his average arm strength is better than his fringy hands and footwork. He could learn from fellow Yankees second-base prospect David Adams on how to turn the double play. Joseph has played some third base, where he might be better defensively but is less of a fit with the bat. He figures to return to Double-A for a full season.
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  Ranked New York Yankees #13 prospect in 2010
  The best draft-eligible hitter in Tennessee in 2008, Joseph went in the fourth round--66 picks ahead of his older brother Caleb, a Lipscomb catcher whom the Orioles took in the seventh round of the same draft. Joseph opened 2009 in extended spring training, but an injury to Garrison Lassiter opened a spot for him in low Class A and he seized the opportunity, finishing second on Charleston with 57 RBIs. Joseph has one of the purest swings in the system. He's short to the ball and long through the zone, and he has the strength to drive the ball. He has an advanced approach for a high school hitter and shows a willingness to take a walk. He has good gap power and could have average home run power down the road. Joseph also shows the ability to hang in against lefthanders, batting .302 against them in 2009. Some scouts still question his bat, though, as his swing gets long and they aren't sure how much power he'll produce. The bat comes first for Joseph, who probably doesn't have enough arm to be a regular third baseman. He has rough edges at second base, his more natural position, but profiles better there. His hands, athleticism and arm work at second, but he'll need repetitions and agility work to become an average defender. He's an average runner. The Yankees have a glut of second basemen, with Kevin Russo at Triple-A and David Adams ready for Double-A. Joseph's pure lefthanded swing puts him atop the list and makes him the most likely to be a regular, though he may never displace Robinson Cano in New York. He's slated for high Class A in 2010.