10 New York Yankees Prospects To Know Beyond The Top 30 in 2024
Baseball America’s Top 30 New York Yankees Prospects entering 2024 are here exclusively for subscribers. The list includes updated scouting reports, BA grades and tool grade projections for every player.
Inevitably, there are players every year who barely miss the cut when we narrow down the list. These players are all worth monitoring for various reasons and it’s likely some will either reach the big leagues in 2024 or enjoy breakout seasons lower in the minors.
Here are next 10 players to know in the Yankees system beyond their Top 30.
31. T.J. Rumfield, 1B
Rumfield came over from the Phillies in a trade after the 2021 season and dealt with injuries in his first season with New York. He’s a powerful player who simplified his swing mechanics to improve his hittability—which was also depressed somewhat by a BABIP of just .227. He’ll also need to continue to refine his swing decisions.
32. Jack Neely, RHP
Neely might be the next relief prospect to find his way to the Bronx. The Ohio State product was the only minor leaguer in 2023 who struck out more than 100 hitters without making a single start. He gets his outs thanks to a plus fastball and a slider that is nearly double-plus, and his walk rate improved in an 11-game stint at Double-A Somerset.
33. Rafael Flores, C/1B
Flores was an outstanding NDFA find in 2022, when the Yankees signed him out of Rio Hondo (Calif.) JC. His continually caught the eye of scouts in 2023, when he hit the ball quite hard and covered the zone well despite weaknesses against offspeed in general. He’s a serviceable catcher with a fringy arm whose size might move him to first base in the long run.
34. Hans Montero, SS
Montero signed with the Yankees in 2021 and has shown flashes of his potential in the proceeding two seasons. Scouts in 2023 saw an improved approach with power potential who would fit best at third base. He’s especially effective against lefthanded pitching.
35. Angel Benitez, RHP
Benitez has huge upside that has been largely masked by missing the 2023 season with Tommy John surgery. In 2022, the righthander showed the makings of a tremendous three-pitch mix fronted by a fastball and changeup that each graded as potential plus pitches. He backed it with a slider that flashed above-average. He could jump quickly in the Florida Complex League in 2024.
36. Luis Serna, RHP
In 2022, Serna was one of the best pitching prospects in the Florida Complex League, where he showed a combination of pitchabilty, poise and a repertoire fronted by one of the best changeups in the low minors. He took a step back in 2023 because of a shoulder injury but showed hints of his former self. A full healthy season would help regain some lost prospect shine, especially if he can do it in a full-season environment.
37. Danny Watson, RHP
Watson stands as one of the Yankees’ better relief-only prospects. He carved the competition in Double-A with an excellent fastball-slider combination and came upon more success by finding the strike zone more often. His breaking ball is a particularly nasty weapon.
38. Brian Hendry, RHP
The Oklahoma State product was selected by New York in the 10th round of the 2023 draft and has one of the hardest fastballs in the system, having touched triple-digits in the team’s fall instructional camp. He’s already 24 years old, so he’ll have to move quickly, but he has a chance to be a pop-up reliever this coming season.
39. Wilson Rodriguez, OF
Rodriguez was the Yankees’ 17th-round pick in the 2023 draft and caught evaluators’ eyes after signing while playing on the organization’s stacked club in the Florida Complex League team. The Puerto Rican outfielder swatted two home runs as a pro and showed excellent bat speed and comfort in the box.
40. Willy Montero, OF
Montero was part of the Yankees 2021 international class and spent 2023 as part of the system’s loaded team in the Florida Complex League. He led the league in hits, finished second in batting average and has added strength and power over the course of his career. He’s a center fielder now, but evaluators believe he will likely move to a corner.
