It is no secret that the New York Yankees are all in this year, but with all the eyes and attention on the Major League roster, there are still tons of things to be excited about in the minor league system as well.
Top Prospects’ Expected starting levels for 2020
For starters, it seems increasingly likely that Yankees’ 16-year-old phenom, Jasson Dominguez, will start the season skipping rookie ball altogether, thus finding himself in Staten Island or Charleston. It wouldn’t be the first time that an international prospect with his ceiling has skipped rookie ball entirely. Dominguez is without a doubt, a once in a lifetime type of player, and has been dubbed the “Teenage Mike Trout” thanks to his incredible tools, size, and talent. For Dominguez, expect him to rise throughout the system over the course of the next two seasons especially, and I wouldn’t be shocked to see him in AA at some point during the 2021 season — at only 18 years old.
Estevan Florial is one of the names that I’m sure some Yankees fans are getting sick of hearing at this point. Unfortunately for Florial, the previous two seasons have been shortened by freak injuries — a broken hamate bone and a broken right wrist — but there is no doubt that he has the talent and raw tools to be a great baseball player. Need I remind you that across his Spring Training time in 2019, while yes it was only 8 games, he flashed that potential and ability to be elite. In those 8 games he hit .368 with a HR and 4 SB’s as well. It looks as if Florial will come into Spring as part of the massive group of talented Outfielders wanting to showcase their abilities, but will likely begin the year in High A, or AA baseball.
As for the crop of extremely talented pitchers that the Yankees have in the minors; Deivi Garcia, Albert Abreu, Clarke Schmidt, and Luis Gil amongst others, expect them to be closely monitored throughout this season. For Garcia especially, I wouldn’t be surprised if he is to be dangled as trade bait — as my colleague Alexander Wilson mentioned in a previous article. However, should he be on the roster this upcoming year, both he and Abreu are the two most likely to be called up come September when rosters expand, should they both pitch well enough prior.
Starlin back to the New York Yankees?
As Free Agency swings to the new year, there are some interesting options sitting on the market. One of which is Starlin Castro, whom Yankees fans should be very familiar with. “All-Starlin”, across two seasons (’16-’17) in New York managed to bat .283 over 1029 AB’s along with the iconic Adrian Beltre “on one knee!” HR vs Baltimore and his familiarity with the team and system — as well as his ability to man either SS or 2B — could be just enticing enough for Cashman to give him a look. Ultimately, Castro’s 111 wRC+ he posted with the team in 2016 was the second-highest of his career, and it would be an unnecessary signing if anything.
I am personally a big fan of Tyler Wade, and if Castro is looking to get upwards of $8,000,000 — right around the amount to which Miami promptly said “no thank you” to — I would say the same thing if I were Cashman. For me, Wade brings more to the table than Castro does, as his ability to play both the Middle IF spots, as well as LF and CF at a more efficient rate, lead me to believe that he should have a place on this team. Add to that the fact that Wade is far quicker of the two, and his plate discipline dwarfs Castro’s, and that right there is already a strong enough case. However, what Castro does bring is stability and consistency, as you know what you’re going to get with him & not to mention he played 158 games for the Marlins in 2018, and all 162 games in 2019 — ah the dream to have a player healthy for the entire season, must be nice.
The Passing of Don Larsen (08/07/1929 – 01/01/2020)
Last night, former Yankee pitcher Don Larsen passed away at 90 years of age. Larsen is the ONLY pitcher to ever pitch a perfect game in the World Series & he did so on behalf of the New York Yankees organization. The Yankees released a statement saying that his perfect game was “A Defining Moment for our franchise” and continued with: “The unmitigated joy reflected in his embrace with Yogi Berra after the games final out will forever hold a place in Yankees lore. It was the pinnacle of baseball success and a reminder of the incredible, unforgettable things that can happen on a baseball field.” Larsen was able to retire many legendary players like: Gil Hodges, Pee Wee Reese, Roy Campanella, Duke Snyder, and of course Jackie Robinson, en route to the first — and to this day — only World Series perfect game performance.
Larsen was married to his wife Corinne for 63 years, as the two of them recently celebrated their 63rd Wedding Anniversary on December 16th, 2019. Larsen’s catching mate and lifelong friend — before baseball great — Yogi Berra stated it best: “Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good, too.” And don’t worry Don, everyone here loves you and baseball, and that won’t change anytime soon.
May one of the best personalities to ever put on the Pinstripes, and owner of the accolade that nobody else has, Rest in Peace.
