Despite the New York Yankees‘ lack of significant moves to enhance their outfield, they can still consider their farm system as a potential supplement. Presently, the outfield comprises Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Billy McKinney, Greg Allen, and Jake Bauers in left field.
Harrison Bader holds the center position, while Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge alternate in right field. To bolster this unit and offer future potential, it may be time to introduce a young prospect to the mix.
Prospect Spotlight: Everson Pereira
A promising option is 22-year-old outfielder Everson Pereira. Since his recent promotion, he has been making impressive strides in Triple-A. Previously, in Double-A, he boasted a .291 batting average with a .362 OBP, including 10 home runs and 31 RBIs over 46 games. His performance in Triple-A Scranton has been even more remarkable, hitting .337 with a .370 OBP, five home runs, 25 RBIs, and a 133 wRC+ across 20 games.
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Pereira’s Performance Analysis
Pereira’s strikeout rate stands at 28.3%, and his walk rate is just 3.3%. Although these figures may raise concerns, they should improve with experience. Known for his high strikeout rate, Pereira also brings significant upside in his hitting prowess and underrated power.
Pereira’s recent performances further highlight his potential. In July, he hit .314 with a .359 OBP, and in August, he started strong with a .444 average, a .400 OBP, and a 1.067 OPS. Additionally, his prowess in scoring positions, particularly with two outs and runners on base, is notable. Here, he’s been hitting .386 with a .426 OBP, two home runs, and 26 RBIs over 57 at-bats. This clutch gene could be a valuable asset to a Yankees team in need of such a trait this season.
The Prospect’s Future: Management’s Consideration
Given that the Yankees didn’t make any significant moves and relying on their current depth could be risky, offering Pereira an opportunity could be a prudent move. General manager Brian Cashman mentioned on Tuesday that Pereira is a prospect they’re considering for promotion.
Pereira is widely regarded as a potential corner outfielder, though his ability to recognize breaking pitches, particularly sliders, is inconsistent. At present, he relies mainly on his fastball-hitting ability, a skill essential at the MLB level. To thrive in the big leagues, Pereira will need to improve his skill set to handle breaking pitches. With this enhancement, he has the potential to be a standout hitter at the top level.
Final Thoughts: The Yankees’ Upcoming Series and Beyond
Ultimately, the Yankees don’t have much to lose, especially with a three-game series against the Houston Astros, who recently acquired Justin Verlander, looming.
Currently, the Yankees trail by 10 games in the AL East and are 3.5 games behind in the Wild Card race. Winning the upcoming series against the Astros is critical before their vital series against the Chicago White Sox. These games present the Yankees with a chance to re-establish themselves in the playoff picture, potentially with the aid of their promising prospect, Everson Pereira.