New York Yankees: 2 rising youth players who can land an active roster spot for the 2020 season

With just nine days left until the New York Yankees open the regular season against the Washington Nationals, building out the active roster is a more pressing challenge. With four more spots opened up for a condensed 60 game schedule, the Yankees can carry extra players into the season.

With numerous youth players fighting for an opportunity, there are two specific youngsters who have looked good at times during intrasquad exhibition games.

Here are two youth players that could make the active roster:

1.) Deivi Garcia

Garcia is one of the most exciting prospects climbing the minor-league system. He jumped all the way to the No. 3 prospect in the organization last season.

He rose from single-A to AAA baseball in just three months, and over three starts this past Spring Training period before the MLB shit down, he allowed six runs over seven innings. While his small sample size suggests obvious struggles, there is plenty of potential to unveil as his development progresses.

In an intrasquad game last week, Garcia acted as an opener, an interesting role that could earn him live reps during the regular season.

Yankees’ Aaron Boone liked what he saw from the youngster. He said Garcia was “really efficient,” and he threw some “good breaking pitches.” Boone talked about how facing some of the “big boys” was a “good step up for him.” He finished by saying that it was “good to see him get out there and get going.”

Garcia finished the first inning striking out two batters and dominating his way to a positive response from Boone. This is a great sign for Deivi and gives him an advantage moving forward.

2.) Estevan Florial

Florial was one of the best Yankee prospects before suffering consistent injuries the last few years. His journey back has been tumultuous, but he has earned an opportunity during summer camp to prove his worth to the coaching staff.

Florial is a five-tool player with arguably one of the best arms of all the minor-league outfielders. He showed off that tool on Sunday afternoon when he sniped Luke Voit at third base trying to extend his positioning.

In an interview Monday afternoon, Florial mentioned his high strike-out rate, and how he is working with the hitting coaches to improve his plate discipline. If he can increase his rate of contact and get on base more frequently, there’s nothing holding him back from becoming a regular staple for the Yankees moving forward. He simply hasn’t had enough reps to iron out his deficiencies due to injury. The potential is there, and he is slowly making his way to the finish line.