Top four Prospects for the New York Yankees in 2012
American League Eastern franchise, New York Yankees, commonly known as ‘Bronx Bombers’ and ‘the Yanks’ do not have any problem either with the money and the players, but they still have to keep their things going with some of the new faces in the coming
years. Although there have not been many vacant places in the Yankees’ rich 40-man roster, the club is still preparing some of the best future players at their minor league level.
21-year-old Jesus Montero, who was signed as a free agent in 2006, has proved his class at the big league level in few games he played at the end of the season. After contributing one run in his debut on September 1 against the division rivals Boston Red
Sox, the Venezuelan impressed Joe Girardi, the Yankees manager, with every passing game. He scored nine runs and added 12 RBIs with four home-runs in just 18 games.
Although his big league stats are enough to put him in the permanent promotion, the Yankees have also taken into account his minor league career. The Designated hitter allowed strike-outs in only 20.1 percent of his total at bats in High-A level in 2011
season, but many questions are still being raised against him. Montero struggled behind the plate where he allowed 15 passed balls, threw only 23 percent of base-stealers. He still has a determination and value to be placed in the Yankees first camp in 2012
season.
Even younger and dangerous, the 18-year-old Gary Sanchez is from nowhere less hazardous than the number one prospect, Jesus Montero. Sanchez, playing as a catcher in Gulf Coast and New York-Penn league, launched 8 home-runs and scored 329/393/543 in 198
at bats. Sanchez permitted 25.4 percent strike-outs, about 4 percent higher than Jesus did, but keeping the fact that he is still a teenager, it can be neglected. Sanchez has strong determination to stay behind the plate for long time and his ability to perform
under pressure might take him into All-Star list in coming years.
Among the next three, Manny Banuelos is the first pitcher that can be visualised throwing behind Freddy Garcia, or possibly be behind Carsten Charles Sabathia. The left-handed pitcher was signed as a free agent in 2008. While playing in Florida State League,
Banuelos posted 2.33 ERA and had a 12.6 K/9 and a walk/9. Banuelos has displayed his strong arm, secondary stuff and command to be considered for Double-A in the 2012 season. Expectedly he did not get call for the 2011 MLB season, but in 2012, he might get
a chance to throw at second place behind Sabathia and Freddy Garcia.
Despite having a 6ft 8in stature, above 250 pounds and above 90mph fastballs, the right-hander Dellin Betances is struggling with his consistency. However, one of the promising pitchers at minor league, the 23-year-old New York native, has shown some impressive
work at the mound. He allowed only 2.4 batters per nine, in 77 innings at High-A level.
Inconsistency being a major problem for a large statured person has also caused him ligament damage in his arm in the 2010 season. After coming back from surgery, Betances struggled throughout the season and then suddenly broke out with an exceptional performance.
His biggest enemy is his inconsistency, which might restrict him to High-A for few more seasons, as the Yankees will not be in a position to take chances in the 2012 season.
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