TwitterA Good Review
18 Feb 2011
Baseball Prospectus posted its evaluation of the Yankees’ farm system today and it was a good one. They listed four players (Montero, Sanchez, Banuelos and Betances) as “five-star” prospects. For the sake of comparison that equals the total number of five-star prospects the Yankees had from 2008-2010 using their system. (Montero last year, Montero and Jackson in 2009 and Joba in 2008). There are the standard concerns about Montero’s catching ability and Sanchez’s too, but both are considered high impact bats. Banuelos and Betances project as front-line starters though they caution that Betances could be a bust.
One interesting feature is the ranking of the top-10 players in the organization born after 4/1/85. On that list Montero is still first, but Hughes is second and Joba sixth. David Robertson is mentioned as someone who just missed the cut.
Most encouraging is the summary they provide of the system: The Yankees system had plenty of talent that can help soon, plenty of talent to dream on at the lower levels, and plenty of pitching that will serve them well in the trade market. This is easily one of the better farm systems in the game.
Feb 21, 2011 @ 20:55:16
At the risk of coming off as a “fan” – one guy that I had the pleasure of watching several years ago in NC that is not being mentioned by the guys who compile these lists – who should be listed – is Brackman. Kid has incredible stuff and can possibly make this roster one day soon. I’d like to see him as a Yankee, not as trade bait but, hey, Cashman doesn’t consult with me.
Feb 21, 2011 @ 22:39:34
Mitchell
Brackman was listed as 7th on the list, between Romine and Nova. Biggest concern was his ability to repeat his delivery.
Feb 22, 2011 @ 16:39:59
Thanks Peter, I missed that – and that’s an interesting critique – accurate too!
When I saw him his stuff was incredible, his fastball was overpowering (yeah, I know, this was college ball) because he releases it so “late” – being almost 7 foot tall makes for a release point really close to the batter) – that batters had a hard time reacting quickly enough. And his curveball, also released “late”, dove down and away with a very hard/late snap. He hit some ankles of batter’s back legs and they were surprised that they got hit, that’s how late and sharp the break was. When he was “on” he was unhittable – but the flip side was that he sometimes looked like Bid Bird flopping and stumbling, letting the ball fly all over the zone as he struggled with his balance. Sorta like Bad Aj when he starts futzing around with his cleats after his shoulder flies open and he winds up facing 1st base.
If Brackman can stay balanced and healthy, we will surely be seeing that kid in the bigs for some team, hopefully us. His stuff was, in a word, incredible.
Random comment: the pics that I’ve seen of Joba show me he’s heavier through the chest and shoulders, not his gut, which is smaller. I’ll bet we see a much stronger/better Joba this year.