Jul 13, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; World pitcher Luis Severino throws a pitch in the 4th inning during the All Star Futures Game at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
3. New York Yankees
Notable Prospects: Luis Severino, Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez, Greg Bird, Ian Clarkin, Rob Refsnyder
A stagnant New York farm system was revitalized in 2013 with a stellar draft and the emergence of international signee Luis Severino as a legitimate talent and the system now ranks in the middle of the pack around baseball.
Severino emerged in 2013, but he really took a step forward last season when he posted a 2.46 ERA with a 10.1 K/9 and 2.1 BB/9 between Class-A, High-A, and Double-A. In that esteemed draft, the Yankees added top talent in 6’7″ slugger Aaron Judge (.308/.419/.486 between Class-A and High-A), Ian Clarkin (3.12 ERA, 9.0 K/9, 2.7 BB/9 between Class-A and High-A), and Eric Jagielo (.259/.354/.460 in High-A) and added some significant strength to their system.
However, their farm system also doesn’t live and die by those who emerged in 2013. Sanchez, who is still just 22 years old, slashed .270/.338/.406 in Double-A last season and could be major league ready in 2015. Bird, a first baseman who hit .271/.376/.472 between High-A and Double-A last season, also profiles as a starting caliber first baseman due to his excellent plate discipline. Refsnyder, who broke out with a .318/.387/.497 line between Double-A and Triple-A last season, also looks like a solid prospect and could appear at second base for the Yankees this season. The Yankees’ organization might not have much elite talent outside of Severino but, compared to Yankees’ systems of past years, it certainly looks like a farm system on the rise.