Anybody that reads this blog knows I get all wet in the pants over reports and rankings of the Yankee Minor League prospects. With that in mind, here's John Sickel's list of the Top 20 Yankee Prospects for 2011 and my take on the list:
1) Jesus Montero
2) Gary Sanchez
3) Dellin Betances
4) Manny Banuelos
5) Hector Noesi
6) Andrew Brackman
7) Ivan Nova
8) Austin Romine
9) Slade Heathcott
10) Adam Warren
11) Graham Stoneburner
12) David Phelps
13) Eduardo Nunez
14) Brandon Laird
15) David Adams
16) J.R. Murphy
17) Corban Joseph
18) Cito Culver
19) Brett Marshall
20) Jose Ramirez
- No surprise that the list is pitcher-heavy. The Yankees are stocked with high quality arms. But I was a little surprised that guys like Nunez and Laird were still sitting that high when everybody seems to think that they are what they're going to be at this point. I would have expected higher-ceiling guys like Mason Williams and Rob Segedin to sneak into the end of the list, but maybe some more playing time will give better insight into just what kind of prospects they are.
- I was a little surprised that Gary Sanchez has shot up to Number 2. Sure, he looks to be another monster bat, but shouldn't we see what he can do for a full season at higher levels before we jump him over the likes of Noesi, ManBan, and Nova?
- Gotta swap ManBan and Betances on that list. Scouts rave about ManBan and Betances hasn't been able to stay healthy for a full year yet.
- Given his upside, I would have swapped Stoneburner and Nova on the list. Nova's ceiling seems to top out at back end of the rotation-type. Stoneburner could be a stud.
- No love for Brett Marshall?? What gives?
- Don't know if I would have put Slade in the Top 10 yet. Dude needs to start putting some of the tools together.
Just my take on the list, but it still didn't change the fact that I'm sitting here at full mast reading this stuff again. The Yankee farm system is stocked. Period. And it's a safe bet that anywhere from 5-10 of the guys on this list are going to turn into big time players. High five!!
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