The current MLB-imposed lockout is preventing us from saying that it’s baseball season, unfortunately. However, at least it’s prospects season: Baseball America, The Athletic, FanGraphs, and Baseball Prospectus have published their top 100 rankings for 2022 already, and ESPN joined the fun this week. The New York Yankees have four players on that list.
Prospect specialists Kiley McDaniel is the author of the list. You can probably guess the first three: shortstop Anthony Volpe is the sixth-best prospect in baseball, while Oswald Peraza (25) and Jasson Dominguez (32) achieved high positions and represent the Yankees very well. The fourth on the list? Outfielder Everson Pereira.
Here is what McDaniel had to say about each Yankees prospect:
- Anthony Volpe, SS
Volpe has probably created the most prospect value with his 2021 performance of any player in the minor leagues. He now projects as top-10 shortstop, a 3-to-5 WAR, potential multi-time All-Star due to the broad number of ways he can add value (and) now Volpe kind of looks like the current version of (Bo) Bichette.
- Oswald Peraza, SS
I think he’ll hit about .270 with an average-ish walk rate and 15-18 homers in his best years; that’s a roughly three-win player, and this one will start the year in Triple-A.
- Jasson Dominguez, CF
Early buzz is that he’s debulked a bit and is down 10 to 15 pounds with a more simplified swing, addressing the two legitimate concerns pro scouts raised from his 2021 campaign.
- Everson Pereira, CF
He’s probably always going to have a 20-30% strikeout rate given his power-based approach, and he’s fringy in center field right now, so he could slide over to right field eventually. … His approach, in-game use of power, defensive instincts and stat line as an extremely young prospect for his level show his potential, too. … This rocket could be ready for takeoff in 2022.
The Athletic’s Keith Law and Baseball America both had three Yankees prospects in their top 100: Volpe, Peraza, and Dominguez.