Life On The Farm: New York Yankees (# 15)

The best farm system money can buy.... right?

Graduated To Majors: Brett Gardner (OF, # 13), Ramiro Pena (SS, UR), Juan Miranda (1B, # 20), Francisco Cervelli (C, # 21), Alfredo Aceves (Swing, # 7), Eric Hacker (RP, UR, now with Pirates), Mark Melancon (RP, # 9), David Robertson (RP, # 15), Anthony Claggett (RP, # 26, now with Pirates), Steven Jackson (RP, # 29, now with Pirates), Phil Coke (RP, # 8), Mike Dunn (RP, # 16)

The Rest Of The Top 10 (with quick commentary)
Hitters: BA-OBP-SLG, AB, HR-RBI, BB-K, SB-CS
Pitchers: G-GS, W-L, ERA, IP-H-HR-BB-K

1 - Austin Jackson: CF
AAA: .300-.354-.405, 504, 4-65, 40-123, 24-4
Quick Take: Solid season, but the high # of strikeouts vs. not much power isn't a good tradeoff.

2 - Jesus Montero: C
Hi A: .356-.406-.583, 180, 8-37, 14-26, 0-0
AA: .317-.370-.539, 167, 9-33, 14-21, 0-0
Quick Take: Only an injury could stop one of the best offensive prospects in the game.

3 - Andrew Brackman: RHP
Lo A: 29-19, 2-12, 5.91, 106.2-106-8-76-103
Quick Take: Rough debut, but the Yankees knew he would be a project.

4 - Austin Romine: C
Hi A: .276-.322-.441, 442, 13-72, 29-78, 11-5
Quick Take: Solid all-around season from the Yankees best catching prospect, as Montero will be a first basemen.

5 - Dellin Betances: RHP
Hi A: 11-11, 2-5, 5.48, 44.1-48-2-27-44
Quick Take: Raw arm needed innings to learn how to command his stuff, but went down due to Tommy John Surgery in August.

6 - Zach McAllister: RHP
AA: 22-22, 7-5, 2.33, 121-98-4-33-96
Quick Take: Strong, if under the radar, season and may be ready for the Bronx next year.

10 - Brad Suttle: 3B
Lo A: .271-.348-.456, 377, 11-44, 45-93, 2-1
Quick Take: Surprisingly began back at Low A and put up a decent, if unspectacular, season.

AAA: Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (IL)
Breakout Hitter: Juan Miranda (# 20): .290-.369-.498, 438, 19-82, 55-101, 1-0
Disappointing Hitter: Eric Duncan (UL): .204-.242-.285, 323, 4-24, 16-69, 1-0
Breakout Pitcher: Zach Kroenke (UL): 36-2, 7-1, 1.99, 72.1-54-4-30-55
Disappointing Pitcher: J. Brent Cox (UR): 12-1, 0-1, 7.08, 20.1-29-2-9-11
Quick Take: Miranda had a strong all around season in getting a September call-up. Kroenke has put himself on the radar for a bi league call up, though the ERA does look a little fluky. Duncan, a former 1st round pick and touted prospect, has likely disappointed the Yankees for the last time. Cox really struggled at AAA and then didn't do much more at AA.

AA: Trenton Thunder (EL)
Breakout Hitter: Jesus Montero (# 2): Line above.
Disappointing Hitter: Justin Snyder (UR): .195-.279-.263, 262, 3-29, 29-49, 1-2
Breakout Pitcher: Josh Schmidt (UL): 46-5, 8-4, 1.61, 83.2-57-2-38-96
Disappointing Pitcher: Alan Horne (# 25): 5-4, 0-3, 11.15, 15.1-25-3-16-13
Quick Take: Montero accepted his place amongst the game's best prospects. Schmidt, a 26 year old righty, had his light apparently flicker on in a strong season that came out of nowhere. Snyder really struggled in his first attempt at AA. Horne really battled at 3 different levels this past season and enters a make or break season for his prospect status.

Hi A: Tampa Yankees (FSL)
Breakout Hitter: Jesus Montero (# 2): Line above.
Disappointing Hitter: Seth Fortenberry (UR): .175-.265-.328, 189, 6-27, 20-58, 3-0
Breakout Pitcher: Lance Pendleton (UL): 20-18, 11-5, 2.58, 104.2-101-1-31-87
Disappointing Pitcher: Dellin Betances (# 5): Line above.
Quick Take: Hate putting the same breakout hitter at 2 levels, but Montero deserved it. Pendleton's time under the radar has likely passed with a 2nd strong season. Fortenberry didn't hit at Hi A or AA (.160-.259-.256 in 125 at bats) in a setback season. Betances's season wasn't necessarily a disappointment, but the fact he is out for most if not of all next season is incredibly dissappointing.

Lo A: Charleston Riverdogs (SAL)
Breakout Hitter: Dan Brewer (UR): .323-.429-.473, 201, 2-25, 33-49, 9-5
Disappointing Hitter: Carmen Angelini (# 28): .197-.255-.258, 132, 1-8, 8-32, 6-1
Breakout Pitcher: Manny Banuelos (# 14): 25-19, 9-5, 2.67, 108-88-4-28-104
Disappointing Pitcher: Andrew Brackman (# 3): Line above.
Quick Take: Brewer had a strong full season debut and even received a promotion to Hi A at midseason. Banuelos was strong all season in his full season debut and may get on the fast track. Angelini struggled at Low A, then struggled even more after a demotion to SS (.190-.253-.270 in 200 at bats). Brackman's season was a disappointment, but not a surprise in 1st season back after TJS.

TK's Early 2010 Top 10 Prospects:
1) Jesus Montero: 1B
Amongst the best in all of baseball.
2) Austin Jackson: CF
Needs to reduce his strikeouts.
3) Austin Romine: C
One of the better all around catching prospects in baseball.
4) Zach McAllister: RHP
Likely will debut at some point next season.
5) Andrew Brackman: RHP
2nd year back from TJS is when control returns, so next season will be the telling one for Brackman.
6) Manny Banuelos: LHP
Lefty may have jumped on fast track to possible 2011 debut.
7) Arodys Vizcaino: RHP
19 years young in November, will likely make his full season debut after strong season at SS (10-10, 2-4, 2.13, 42.1-34-2-15-52)
8) D.J. Mitchell: RHP
22 year old had strong season at both A levels (25-24, 12-7, 2.63, 140.1-124-2-44-125)
9) Slade Heathcott: CF
Toolsy high school OF was 29th overall pick this June.
10) Jeremy Bleich: LHP
Lefty got a midseason promotion to AA and got pounded after solid work at High A.

Dropped From Top 10: Betances (# 5), Suttle (# 10)

Final Overview: The money the Yankees have spent, more notably internationally then draft-wise, has begun to pay dividends. This system has more depth then it has seen since the Yankees golden era in the late 90's and early 2000's. Montero is the best of the bunch and is a Top 5 prospect as a 1st basemen. Loaded with pitching, some of these will inevitably fall off due to injury or losing the feel for a pitch, but they have many more big arms then most other organizations. A top 10 farm system in my eyes.

The Final Extras... (Ba Ba Bum)

1) Josh Towers: FB, SL, CU, CB
9/12: 31 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

• Towers is a 6-1, 185 pound righty. The 32 year old has a medium frame that can still add quite a bit more muscle to it and has the build of a high school defensive back. He came from a high 3/4 release with clean mechanics. His fastball has some run in on righties and some sink. His curve is a 11-5 with slightly below average depth. His change is a straight change that looks like a fastball out of his hand. His slider is a 2-7 offering with good bite. 4-A arm that just doesn't have the stuff to be a consistent big league pitcher.

8th: FB (83-87), SL (82), CU (78-79), CB (72)

9th: FB (85-88), SL (80-83), CB (75) - 2 FB (Aubrey, Markakis)

2) Vladimir Nunez: FB, SL, CU.

9/18: 30 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider, Changeup.

• Nunez is a 6-4, 240 pound righty. The 34 year old has a big frame that appears to be maxed out, but doesn't appear to be as big as his listed 240, more around 220. Lean frame, almost like he lost some weight. He came from a high 3/4 release with clean mechanics. His slider is a 2-7 offering with average depth. His fastball has a little late run in on righties. His change has some fade from lefties and some sink. 4-A arm, again.

9th: FB (90-92), SL (79-82), CU (82-85) - FB (Bako), SL (Bako), CU (Stairs)

3) Ian Kennedy: FB, SL, CU.

9/23: 28 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Cutters, Fastball.

• Kennedy is a 6-0, 195 pound righty. The 24 year old has a small frame that can add a little more muscle to about 205. He came from an over the top release with very clean mechanics. His fastball has a little run in on righties, but is fairly straight. His cutter has good cut and some sink. His curve is a 12-6 offering with average depth. His change is a straight change that has a little fade from lefties and a little sink that he will throw in 3-2 counts though he doesn't have good control of it. The cutter is a good pitch for him to have in place of his slider. In the NL, he would profile as a # 3 starter, but in the AL East, he is a # 5 at best. I doubt he can be successful pitching in the Yankees bandbox.

8th: FB (90-93), Cut (85-88), CB (78), CU (81) - 2 Cut (Aybar - 2), FB (Izturis)

4) Eric Hacker: FB, CB, SL.

9/29: 14 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Hacker is a 6-1, 210 pound righty. The 26 year old has a medium frame that can get up to about 215 if he wants. Normal, athletic build with a solid lower half. He came from a high 3/4 release with pretty clean drop and drive mechanics. His curve is a 11-5 pitch with slightly above average depth. His fastball is a sinker with some run in on righties and some sink. His slider is a 2-7 offering with above average bite and is his go-to offspeed pitch. He could turn into a groundball forcing middle reliever, but he needs to refine his fastball command.

9th: FB (88-90), CB (73-74), SL (83-84)

5) Henry Rodriguez: FB, SL, CU

9/30: 24 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 5 Fastballs.

• Rodriguez is a 6-0, 210 pound righty. The 22 year old has a small frame that looks a little smaller then his listed 210 pounds and is likely closer to 200. He can add quite a bit more muscle to his lower half, as he has a more of a defensive back build. He came from an over the top release working predominately from the stretch with pretty clean mechanics, though he does have a fairly violent head jerk and a little whipping action after release. His fastball is a straight, explosive, very easy velocity generating 4-seam. His slider is a sharp 2-7 with some bite. Has a tendency to leave the fastball up around the belt and can battle his command with the heater. Him and Bailey will form a very scary back end of the bullpen in a couple years after he tightens his slider and develops his fastball command a little more. Definitely a reliever long-term though.

7th: FB (98-100), SL (88) - 3 FB (Beltre - 2, Moore)

8th: FB (97-100), SL (86) - 2 FB (Wilson - 2)

NL West Extras

1) Brandon Webb: FB, CU, CB, Cut.
4/6: 77 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, Changeup.

• Webb is a 6-2, 230 pound righty. The 30 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. Strong build with a built lower half. He came from a high 3/4 release with a long arm action that almost wraps around his entire body. Lands hard on his front leg. His fastball is a sinker with above average run in on righties and above average sink. His change has good fade from lefties and above average sink that he will throw to righties. His curve is a 11-5 offering with average depth. Still has top of the rotation stuff, but will he still after all his arm issues?

1st: FB (83-89), CU (77-78), CB (74-75) - FB (Helton)

2nd: FB (83-88), CU (78-79), CB (75) - FB (Hawpe)

3rd: FB (82-88), CU (76-78), CB (69-75) - CU (Atkins)

4th: FB (83-86), CB (70-71)

2) Doug Slaten: FB, SL, CU.

4/6: 10 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Slaten is a 6-5, 215 pound lefty. The 29 year old has a big frame that can get up to at least 225 pounds. Can add a lot more muscle to his lower half, which is more of a WR build then a pitcher's build. He came from a high 3/4 release with some herky jerky in his delivery with limbs going everywhere. His fastball has some late run in on lefties and a little late sink. His slider is a sweeping 11-5 with slightly above average depth. Best case is LOOGY, but doesn't quite have the command yet. If it clicks, can be an average lefty.

5th: FB (89-92), SL (79-81)

3) Glendon Rusch: FB, SL, CB, CU.

4/6: 42 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Curveballs, Fastball.

• Rusch is a 6-1, 225 pound lefty. The 34 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out with a strong athletic build. He came from an over the top release with clean mechanics. His slider is a 11-5 offering with average depth. His fastball has some run in on lefties. His curve is a 11-5 offering with average depth. His change is straight with a little late fade from righties. Since released and looking for work, he may be done.

3rd: FB (87-90), SL (81-82), CB (72-74) - FB (Webb), CB (Webb)

4th: FB (88-91), SL (80), CB (74-75), CU (82)

5th: FB (88-90), CB (73-77) - CB (Byrnes)

4) Ryan Speier: FB, SL, CU.

4/6: 23 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Sliders, Fastball.

• Speier is a 6-7, 210 pound righty. The 30 year old has a big frame that can add a lot more muscle, as he has a long and lean frame. He came from a 3/4 release with solid mechanics, though his arm action puts some extra pressure on his elbow. His fastball has some run in on righties and some sink. His slider is a 2-7 offering with slightly above average bite. His change has some fade from lefties and some sink that he will throw to righties. Has the stuff to be a decent middle reliever, can he stay healthy?

5th: FB (89), SL (82-83), CU (83) - SL (Snyder)

6th: FB (88-89), SL (82-83), CU (81) - FB (Lopez), SL (Young)

5) Alex Hinshaw: FB, CB, SL

4/10: 16 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Hinshaw is a 6-4, 190 pound lefty. The 27 year old has a big frame that can add a lot more muscle, especially in his lower half. Athletic build. He came from a 3/4, almost high 3/4 release with a classic drop and drive delivery. His fastball had a little run in on lefties, but was pretty straight. His curve is a 11-5 with slightly above average depth that has nice movement to it. His slider is a sharp 11-5 with some bite. Has some potential, but needs to refine his slider and command to capitalize on it.

7th: FB (91-92), CB (71-72), SL (83)

6) Tom Gordon: FB, Cut, CB.

4/28: 9 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Gordon is a 5-10, 200 pound righty. The 42 year old has a small frame that won't be changing anytime soon. He came from an over the top release with pretty clean mechanics. His fastball has some frun in on righties and some sink. His curve is a sharp 12-6 with above average depth. His cutter has some cut and a little sink that can just hang at times. Probably could have another year left if necessary.

9th: FB (91-92), CB (82-83), Cut (86-87)

7) Osiris Matos: FB, SL, CU.

4/28: 17 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. Fastball, Changeup, Slider.

• Matos is a 6-1, 200 pound righty. The 25 year old has a medium frame that appears to be maxed out with a strong lower half. He came from an over the top release working predominately from the stretch with clean mechanics. His fastball is a fairly straight 4-seam. His slider is almost cutter like, but is too slow to be a cutter. It's a 2-7 pitch with marginal depth. His change is straight with not much action. 4-A guy.

8th: FB (89-91), SL (77-82), CU (80-81) - FB (Furcal), CU (Furcal), SL (Billingsley)

8) Esmil Rogers: FB, CB, CU.

9/12: 80 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Changeups, Fastball.

• Rogers is a 6-1, 150 pound righty. The 24 year old has a small frame that can add some more muscle and get up to about 165 at least. He came from an over the top release with a long arm action. If he played football, he would need to redshirt before he could get onto the field due to a lack of muscle everywhere. A lot of moving parts in his delivery and breaks his hands very high, adding stress to his shoulder. His fastball is a straight 4-seam. His curve is a sharp 12-6 with average depth. His change is straight with not much movement at all. He can battle his command, which isn't a surprise for a young pitcher. I think he ends up in the bullpen, where his plus fastball and power curve can be more of a weapon.

1st: FB (94-96), CB (79-83), CU (86-87)

2nd: FB (92-95), CB (79-80), CU (84-86)

3rd: FB (92-94), CB (78-79), CU (85) - CU (Gonzalez)

4th: FB (92-95), CB (76-81), CU (84) - FB (Venable), CU (Venable)