Three top prospects Yankee fans should be excited to see next year

Last season brought a renewed sense of dismay to fans of the Bronx Bombers. The New York Yankees’ postseason ended in an ALDS loss against the division rival Toronto Blue Jays. However, their brief postseason run came with one overwhelming bright spot. 

After starting the year in Double-A, pitching prospect Cam Schlittler quickly rose to prominence in the majors, finishing the year with a 2.96 ERA. However, it wasn’t until the postseason when the 24-year-old rookie found his place in Yankee lore. In Game 3 of the Wild Card series, Schlittler blanked the Boston Red Sox through eight innings, sending New York to the ALDS. Yankee fans will certainly look forward to an encore next season.

For the Yankees, phenoms like Schlittler don’t emerge from the minors with immediate success very often. Their farm system is typically on the shallow side and only a few of their top prospects in recent memory have established successful MLB careers. Still, there is hope for further success from the Yankee farm system on the horizon. Here are three top prospects Yankee fans will want to keep an eye on next season. (Note: No. 1 prospect George Lombard Jr. is not expected to debut next season.) 

OF Spencer Jones (NYY No. 4 prospect, No. 99 overall) 

Jones, arguably the Yankees’ most prominent prospect, started showcasing his mammoth potential last season. He hit .274/.362/.571 with 35 home runs and 29 steals, finding his power stroke during summer before back issues derailed his year. His numbers took a hit upon his return from injury, as his strikeout total grew, finishing with 179 on the year. 

Known as the “left-handed Aaron Judge,” Jones comes with towering power, plenty of speed and a solid glove in centerfield. However, his rapid strikeout rate (holds the Yankees’ minor-league strikeout record with 200) could severely limit his upside, making him a high-risk, high-reward prospect. 

RHP Carlos Lagrange (NYY No. 2 prospect, No. 74 overall) 

Lagrange is yet to throw a pitch in Triple-A, but he is on a trajectory to join the rotation next year. The 22-year-old fireballer posted a 3.53 ERA last season with 168 strikeouts and an opponent average of .191 in 120 innings.

According to MLB.com, Lagrange averages 97-99 mph with his fastball, topping out at 102. He offsets his heater with a devastating sweeping slider, also mixing in a cutter and changeup, all rated as plus. He is believed to have the makings of a frontline starter.

RHP Elmer Rodriguez (NYY No. 3 prospect, No. 97 overall) 

Rodriguez had one start in Triple-A last season, but his consistent success could ensure he debuts sooner rather than later. At 22-years-old, Rodriguez owns a career ERA of 2.59 over four years in the minors. Last season, he posted a 2.58 ERA with 176 strikeouts and an opponent average of .192 in 150 innings. He surrendered only three home runs in that time.

Rodriguez was able to increase his fastball velocity last season, averaging 93-96 mph and topping out at 98 according to MLB.com. In addition to his fastball, he packs a slider, splitter and curveball in his arsenal and is able to mix speeds as each average different velocities (fastball in the mid 90’s, splitter in the upper 80’s, slider in the mid-80s, curveball in the high-70s).

Scouts view Rodriguez as more of a mid-rotation arm. However, given his success in the minors, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him outperform his projections once he has established himself in the majors.