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1 PROSPECT MASON WILLIAMS, OF
BORN: Aug. 21, 1991. B-T: L-R. HT.: 6-0. WT.: 150. DRAFTED: HS—Winter Garden, Fla., 2010 (4th round). SIGNED BY: Jeff Deardorff.
BACKGROUND: Williams has athletic bloodlines. His father Derwin made it to the National Football League, playing wide receiver for three seasons for the New England Patriots, including on their 1985 team that lost to the Bears in the Super Bowl. Raised in Rhode Island, Mason and his family moved to Florida in part so he could face better competition, and he became a standout at West Orange High in Winter Garden, where he was a teammate of 2012 Astros second-round pick Nolan Fontana. Williams bypassed a commitment to South Carolina after the Yankees drafted him in the fourth round and gave him a $1.45 million bonus, the largest in their 2010 draft class. After earning No. 1 prospect honors in the New York-Penn League in 2011, he broke out in 2012, a season that ended when he dislocated his left shoulder trying to make a diving catch in late July.
SCOUTING REPORT: Despite a thin frame that has earned him Doug Glanville comparisons, Williams has surprising, wiry strength. He has explosive offensive ability, thanks to a special combination of quick-twitch athleticism, excellent running speed, above-average bat speed and snap in his wrists and forearms. He doesn’t look like a power hitter, and at times he doesn’t get his legs under him and employs a slap approach. When he stays balanced, though, he can drive the ball to any part of the ballpark, and Yankees officials expect him to hit 20 or more homers annually as he learns to hit from a more consistent, solid base. He has shown the ability to backspin the ball and has some loft in his swing. He has a loose, handsy stroke and excellent bat-to-ball skills. He’s a plus-plus runner down the line but his baserunning skills need polish. He was caught 13 times in 33 steal attempts in 2012. Williams is capable of spectacular plays in the field. He touched 91 mph as a high school pitcher, and his arm strength rates as average despite inconsistent throwing mechanics. Aside from inexperience, Williams’ greatest weakness is immaturity. One pro scout who saw him in the South Atlantic League in 2012 said he “needed to be humbled,” and New York benched him several times for not running balls out. One club official chalked it up to Williams’ being too hard on himself and expressing his frustration with poor at-bats by not giving full effort. He plays the game with too much flash for some scouts, while others see that as a manifestation of his confidence.
THE FUTURE: Williams believes he’s good and has played like it as a pro. One club official likened him to a more athletic version of former Yankees No. 1 prospect Austin Jackson, combining premium speed and tools with Jackson’s swagger and playmaking ability. Williams will return to high Class A Tampa at age 21. New York expects more emotional and physical maturity in 2013. That would help him make the leap to Double-A Trenton during the season, where he could team with the similarly athletic and hyperenergetic Slade Heathcott in a glimpse of the Yankees’ outfield of the future. Williams will race Heathcott to be ready to make the leap to New York if Curtis Granderson becomes a free agent after the 2013 season.
2. SLADE HEATHCOTT, OF
BORN: Sept. 28, 1990. B-T: L-L. HT.: L-L. WT.: 197. DRAFTED: HS—Texarkana, Texas, 2009 (1st round). SIGNED BY: Mark Batchko/ Tim Kelly.
BACKGROUND: Heathcott has endeared himself to the Yankees by overcoming obstacle after obstacle. An alcohol problem and troubled home life helped drive him down draft boards in 2009, but New York took him 29th overall and signed him for $2.2 million. He sought treatment for his alcohol issues after the 2010 season. He has yet to accrue 300 at-bats in a single season thanks to a pair of left shoulder injuries that have required two surgeries. The second operation, on his labrum, kept him out until June in 2012, but he made his limited time count in high Class A.
SCOUTING REPORT: Heathcott plays with explosive tools and effort. He’s a consistent plus-plus runner with a strong frame who’s developing above-average power. He has two more plus tools with his center-field defense and a throwing arm that’s returning to close to full strength. Heathcott’s future depends most on his bat. He gets too rotational, spins off pitches and doesn’t keep his bat in the hitting zone long enough. His resulting choppy swing reduces his contact rate. His all-out style has helped lead to injuries.
THE FUTURE:The Yankees love Heathcott’s effort, energy and leadership skills. He will head to Double-A in 2013. If he fixes his swing issues, he still holds five-tool promise.
3. GARY SANCHEZ, C
BORN: Dec. 2, 1992. B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-2. WT.: 220. SIGNED: Dominican Republic, 2009. SIGNED BY: Victor Mata/Raymon Sanchez.
BACKGROUND: Signed for $3 million, Sanchez has ranked second, fourth and third on this list before turning 20. He led all minor league catchers with 18 homers in 2012 and earned a spot on Baseball America’s minor league all-star first team.
SCOUTING REPORT: Sanchez has well above-average raw power as well as a fundamentally sound swing, and he improved his two-strike approach late in the season. With plus-plus raw arm strength to go with solid athleticism and receiving skills, Sanchez has the tools to remain a catcher. He’s an erratic defender prone to lapses in receiving, but he made progress in 2012 while throwing out 30 percent of basestealers. As his English improves, he’ll be able to take charge more behind the plate, and he also needs more experience calling his own pitches. Though he’s a below-average runner, he stole 15 bases in 19 attempts in 2012. He also played harder and showed none of the lapses in judgment that prompted a two-week suspension in May 2011.
THE FUTURE: Sanchez will return to high Class A to start 2013. He may not quite have the offensive upside of former Yankees No. 1 prospect Jesus Montero, but Sanchez does have a better chance to remain a catcher and no one blocking his path to the Bronx.
4. TYLER AUSTIN, OF
BORN: Sept. 6, 1991. B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-2. WT.: 200. DRAFTED: HS—Conyers, Ga., 2010 (13th round). SIGNED BY: Darryl Monroe.
BACKGROUND: A draft steal who signed for $130,000 in 2010, Austin had a breakout year in his first try at full-season ball in 2012. Shrugging off a mild concussion that kept him out of the Futures Game, he batted .322/.400/.559 and reached Double-A. He homered in a losing cause in Trenton’s Eastern League finals loss.
SCOUTING REPORT: The Yankees’ most advanced young hitter, Austin mixes physical maturity with athleticism. He has a short, quick swing and good balance at the plate, usually staying back and trusting his fast hands. His relatively flat stroke limits his home run potential to an extent, but some scouts believe he’ll tap into solid power down the line. Though just an average runner, he has the quick first step and savvy to steal 10-15 bags annually in the big leagues. A corner infielder in his first two seasons, Austin found a home in right field in 2012, exhibiting solid range and a plus arm. THE FUTURE: Austin will begin 2013 back in Double-A. The lack of a young, righthanded bat in New York will open an opportunity for him to move fast if he continues to hit.
5. JOSE CAMPOS, RHP
BORN: July 27, 1992. B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-4. WT.: 195. SIGNED: Venezuela, 2009. SIGNED BY: Emilio Carrasquel/Patrick Guerrero (Mariners).
BACKGROUND: Campos led the short-season Northwest League in ERA (2.32) and strikeouts (85) as an 18-year-old making his U.S. debut in 2011. The Yankees targeted him in trade talks with the Mariners, acquiring him in January 2012 along with Michael Pineda in exchange for former No. 1 prospect Jesus Montero and Hector Noesi. Five starts into the season, though, the Yankees shut Campos down with what they termed elbow inflammation.
SCOUTING REPORT: Campos gave up one hit in his first 11 innings at low Class A Charleston, and his stuff was electric. When healthy, he pitches at 94-95 mph with his fastball, throwing plenty of strikes and showing late life. For a youngster who throws that hard, he has excellent command of the pitch. At times he wipes out hitters with a power curveball in the upper 70s, and his changeup shows flashes of becoming an above-average offering as well. He needs more innings to refine his secondary pitches and polish up details such as controlling the running game.
THE FUTURE: He didn’t throw in any games in instructional league, and one club official said “hopefully” Campos will be ready for spring training. That’s hardly a ringing endorsement of health for the Yankees’ pitching prospect with the most upside. He likely will work his way back in extended spring training and move up to high Class A in 2013.
6. BRETT MARSHALL, RHP
BORN: March 22, 1990. B-T: R-R. HT.: 5-11. WT.: 200. DRAFTED: HS—Baytown, Texas, 2008 (6th round). SIGNED BY: Steve Boros.
BACKGROUND: When the Yankees didn’t sign first-rounder Gerrit Cole in 2008, Marshall wound up with the largest bonus in their draft class—$850,000 in the sixth round. He struggled mightily before having Tommy John in surgery 2009, but he hasn’t missed a start and has gone 26-16, 3.41 since returning. He led Trenton to the Eastern League finals in 2012, topping the system with 13 wins and ranking fourth with 120 strikeouts.
SCOUTING REPORT: New York originally wanted Marshall to pitch off his fastball and curveball. Since his elbow reconstruction, he has found a consistent high three-quarters slot and pounded the strike zone with a 90-94 mph fastball and the system’s best changeup. Both pitches have similar sinking action and come from the same release point. His changeup arrives at 77-80 mph and made him more effective against lefthanders (.677 OPS) than righthanders (.724) in 2012. A fairly long arm action makes it hard for Marshall to maintain the release point on his two breaking balls. He still throws a show-me curve early in counts, but his mid-80s slider has more potential. It lacks consistency but flashes occasional bite. It’s an average pitch that helps him get grounders rather than strikeouts.
THE FUTURE: Marshall profiles as a durable, sinkerballing No. 4 starter. He’s slated to see his first Triple-A action at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 2013.
7. ANGELO GUMBS, 2B
BORN: Oct. 13, 1992. B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-0. WT.: 175. DRAFTED: HS—Torrance, Calif., 2010 (2nd round). SIGNED BY: Dave Keith.
BACKGROUND: The Yankees have paired Gumbs with 2010 first-rounder Cito Culver for three seasons, and the converted prep outfielder/shortstop has surpassed his double-play partner as a prospect. Gumbs shook off a slow start and was heating up in low Class A when his 2012 season ended in June with a torn ligament in his left elbow that didn’t require surgery.
SCOUTING REPORT: Gumbs still hasn’t completely tapped into his offensive potential because his excessive pre-swing movement negates his premium bat speed. With some easy mechanical adjustments, such as a wider base and calming down his leg kick and bat waggle, he should be able to trust his hands and stay back on offspeed pitches better. He crushes fastballs, lashing line drives from gap to gap. He’s also a plus runner and the system’s best basestealer. Gumbs has made significant growth defensively and is beginning to take advantage of his plus arm and range. He still has some stiffness and hardness to his hands, but as his footwork improves with repetition, he should be a solid defender at second base.
THE FUTURE: Gumbs’ aptitude will determine how quickly he moves. He has made defensive progress and now must do the same offensively to develop into the most well-rounded infielder in the system. He’ll start 2013 in high Class A.
8. MANNY BANUELOS, LHP
BORN: March 13, 1991. B-T: L-L. HT.: 5-11. WT.: 200. SIGNED: Mexico, 2008. SIGNED BY: Lee Sigman.
BACKGROUND: In an organization long known for lefthanded aces, Banuelos was the best southpaw prospect since Andy Pettitte. He nearly made the Yankees with a dominant performance in big league camp in 2011, but instead made a career-best 27 minor league starts as his control regressed. He began 2012 in a prospect-laden Triple-A rotation but made just six starts before getting shut down with elbow pain. He had Tommy John surgery in early October.
SCOUTING REPORT: A command-oriented pitcher when he signed, Banuelos saw his fastball touch 94 at the end of the 2009 season in relief. He maintained his velocity spike in 2010 as a starter, but has had difficulty either staying healthy or throwing strikes since. Before he got hurt, his fastball sat at 91-94 mph and touched 96, with good tailing life at the lower end of that velocity range. He also threw a sharp curveball in the upper 70s and a tumbling changeup, giving him two above-average secondary pitches at his best. He had trouble harnessing his livelier stuff and was unable to make adjustments to throw quality strikes prior to his injury.
THE FUTURE:The track record for elbow reconstruction is good, and Banuelos will be just 23 when he returns to minor league action in 2014. If his stuff returns and he learns to command it, he could develop into a No. 2 starter.
9. TY HENSLEY, RHP
BORN: July 30, 1993. B-T: B-R. HT.: 6-5. WT.: 220. DRAFTED: HS—Edmond, Okla., 2012 (1st round). SIGNED BY: Lloyd Simmons/ Dennis Woody.
BACKGROUND: Hensley’s father Mike was drafted 66th overall out of high school and 53rd overall out of Oklahoma in 1988 before pitching three seasons in the Cardinals system. The Yankees hope to have more success with his son, who gave up football to focus on baseball. The 30th overall pick in June, he originally signed for $1.6 million but had his bonus reduced to $1.2 million after a physical revealed some shoulder abnormalities. He hasn’t had any health issues, however.
SCOUTING REPORT: New York favors curveballs over sliders, and Hensley had one of the best curves in the entire draft, a 12-to-6 breaker in the upper 70s. He has size, athleticism and hand speed, all of which allow him to spin the ball and maintain a 92-95 mph fastball that peaks at 97. He didn’t need a changeup much as an amateur and worked on one during instructional league. Hensley still is growing into his frame and needs to add some strength to maintain his delivery and find a consistent release point, which would improve his command. He tends to elevate his fastball and work up and down in the strike zone.
THE FUTURE: The Yankees sent Hensley to their Dominican instructional camp so he could continue working with pitching coordinator Nardi Contreras. Hensley will focus on improving his fastball command and his changeup in 2013, possibly in low Class A.
10. RAFAEL DEPAULA, RHP
BORN: March 24, 1991. B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-2. WT.: 212. SIGNED: Dominican Republic, 2012. SIGNED BY: Donny Rowland.
BACKGROUND: DePaula has presented different iterations of his name and several different birthdates over the years, leading to a one-year suspension from MLB in May 2009, before he ever even signed a professional contract. Initially courted by a number of teams while he worked out with current Cardinals farmhand Carlos Martinez, DePaula eventually agreed to a $500,000 bonus with the Yankees in November 2010. However, MLB took 16 months to approve the deal while it investigated. He worked out at the Yankees’ Dominican Republic academy while in limbo and finally acquired a visa in March 2012, passed his physical and signed with New York. He made his pro debut with their Rookie-level Dominican Summer League affiliate. He led the DSL with 12.4 strikeouts per nine innings.
SCOUTING REPORT: Most 21-year-olds in a Latin American complex league aren’t prospects, but DePaula is different. His fastball sits in the mid-90s and touches 98 as a starter. Scouts also like his hard curveball, which projects as an above-average or better pitch. He hasn’t needed it much, but he has flashed a promising changeup as well. DePaula’s secondary stuff was inconsistent in his debut, due in part to his lack of experience. But he’s physical with a strong, strapping frame, has a clean arm action and repeats his delivery, allowing him to throw consistent strikes. He has big hands and long arms, and he has shown a feel for manipulating the baseball. Club officials are excited about his work ethic and makeup.
THE FUTURE: DePaula is the biggest X-factor in the system. The organization’s pitching talent has thinned with graduations, trades and attrition, and DePaula’s ceiling is as high as any Yankees minor league pitcher. He’ll be 22 in 2013, when he’s expected to make an aggressive jump from the DSL to high Class A.
BORN: Aug. 21, 1991. B-T: L-R. HT.: 6-0. WT.: 150. DRAFTED: HS—Winter Garden, Fla., 2010 (4th round). SIGNED BY: Jeff Deardorff.
BACKGROUND: Williams has athletic bloodlines. His father Derwin made it to the National Football League, playing wide receiver for three seasons for the New England Patriots, including on their 1985 team that lost to the Bears in the Super Bowl. Raised in Rhode Island, Mason and his family moved to Florida in part so he could face better competition, and he became a standout at West Orange High in Winter Garden, where he was a teammate of 2012 Astros second-round pick Nolan Fontana. Williams bypassed a commitment to South Carolina after the Yankees drafted him in the fourth round and gave him a $1.45 million bonus, the largest in their 2010 draft class. After earning No. 1 prospect honors in the New York-Penn League in 2011, he broke out in 2012, a season that ended when he dislocated his left shoulder trying to make a diving catch in late July.
SCOUTING REPORT: Despite a thin frame that has earned him Doug Glanville comparisons, Williams has surprising, wiry strength. He has explosive offensive ability, thanks to a special combination of quick-twitch athleticism, excellent running speed, above-average bat speed and snap in his wrists and forearms. He doesn’t look like a power hitter, and at times he doesn’t get his legs under him and employs a slap approach. When he stays balanced, though, he can drive the ball to any part of the ballpark, and Yankees officials expect him to hit 20 or more homers annually as he learns to hit from a more consistent, solid base. He has shown the ability to backspin the ball and has some loft in his swing. He has a loose, handsy stroke and excellent bat-to-ball skills. He’s a plus-plus runner down the line but his baserunning skills need polish. He was caught 13 times in 33 steal attempts in 2012. Williams is capable of spectacular plays in the field. He touched 91 mph as a high school pitcher, and his arm strength rates as average despite inconsistent throwing mechanics. Aside from inexperience, Williams’ greatest weakness is immaturity. One pro scout who saw him in the South Atlantic League in 2012 said he “needed to be humbled,” and New York benched him several times for not running balls out. One club official chalked it up to Williams’ being too hard on himself and expressing his frustration with poor at-bats by not giving full effort. He plays the game with too much flash for some scouts, while others see that as a manifestation of his confidence.
THE FUTURE: Williams believes he’s good and has played like it as a pro. One club official likened him to a more athletic version of former Yankees No. 1 prospect Austin Jackson, combining premium speed and tools with Jackson’s swagger and playmaking ability. Williams will return to high Class A Tampa at age 21. New York expects more emotional and physical maturity in 2013. That would help him make the leap to Double-A Trenton during the season, where he could team with the similarly athletic and hyperenergetic Slade Heathcott in a glimpse of the Yankees’ outfield of the future. Williams will race Heathcott to be ready to make the leap to New York if Curtis Granderson becomes a free agent after the 2013 season.
2. SLADE HEATHCOTT, OF
BORN: Sept. 28, 1990. B-T: L-L. HT.: L-L. WT.: 197. DRAFTED: HS—Texarkana, Texas, 2009 (1st round). SIGNED BY: Mark Batchko/ Tim Kelly.
BACKGROUND: Heathcott has endeared himself to the Yankees by overcoming obstacle after obstacle. An alcohol problem and troubled home life helped drive him down draft boards in 2009, but New York took him 29th overall and signed him for $2.2 million. He sought treatment for his alcohol issues after the 2010 season. He has yet to accrue 300 at-bats in a single season thanks to a pair of left shoulder injuries that have required two surgeries. The second operation, on his labrum, kept him out until June in 2012, but he made his limited time count in high Class A.
SCOUTING REPORT: Heathcott plays with explosive tools and effort. He’s a consistent plus-plus runner with a strong frame who’s developing above-average power. He has two more plus tools with his center-field defense and a throwing arm that’s returning to close to full strength. Heathcott’s future depends most on his bat. He gets too rotational, spins off pitches and doesn’t keep his bat in the hitting zone long enough. His resulting choppy swing reduces his contact rate. His all-out style has helped lead to injuries.
THE FUTURE:The Yankees love Heathcott’s effort, energy and leadership skills. He will head to Double-A in 2013. If he fixes his swing issues, he still holds five-tool promise.
3. GARY SANCHEZ, C
BORN: Dec. 2, 1992. B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-2. WT.: 220. SIGNED: Dominican Republic, 2009. SIGNED BY: Victor Mata/Raymon Sanchez.
BACKGROUND: Signed for $3 million, Sanchez has ranked second, fourth and third on this list before turning 20. He led all minor league catchers with 18 homers in 2012 and earned a spot on Baseball America’s minor league all-star first team.
SCOUTING REPORT: Sanchez has well above-average raw power as well as a fundamentally sound swing, and he improved his two-strike approach late in the season. With plus-plus raw arm strength to go with solid athleticism and receiving skills, Sanchez has the tools to remain a catcher. He’s an erratic defender prone to lapses in receiving, but he made progress in 2012 while throwing out 30 percent of basestealers. As his English improves, he’ll be able to take charge more behind the plate, and he also needs more experience calling his own pitches. Though he’s a below-average runner, he stole 15 bases in 19 attempts in 2012. He also played harder and showed none of the lapses in judgment that prompted a two-week suspension in May 2011.
THE FUTURE: Sanchez will return to high Class A to start 2013. He may not quite have the offensive upside of former Yankees No. 1 prospect Jesus Montero, but Sanchez does have a better chance to remain a catcher and no one blocking his path to the Bronx.
4. TYLER AUSTIN, OF
BORN: Sept. 6, 1991. B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-2. WT.: 200. DRAFTED: HS—Conyers, Ga., 2010 (13th round). SIGNED BY: Darryl Monroe.
BACKGROUND: A draft steal who signed for $130,000 in 2010, Austin had a breakout year in his first try at full-season ball in 2012. Shrugging off a mild concussion that kept him out of the Futures Game, he batted .322/.400/.559 and reached Double-A. He homered in a losing cause in Trenton’s Eastern League finals loss.
SCOUTING REPORT: The Yankees’ most advanced young hitter, Austin mixes physical maturity with athleticism. He has a short, quick swing and good balance at the plate, usually staying back and trusting his fast hands. His relatively flat stroke limits his home run potential to an extent, but some scouts believe he’ll tap into solid power down the line. Though just an average runner, he has the quick first step and savvy to steal 10-15 bags annually in the big leagues. A corner infielder in his first two seasons, Austin found a home in right field in 2012, exhibiting solid range and a plus arm. THE FUTURE: Austin will begin 2013 back in Double-A. The lack of a young, righthanded bat in New York will open an opportunity for him to move fast if he continues to hit.
5. JOSE CAMPOS, RHP
BORN: July 27, 1992. B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-4. WT.: 195. SIGNED: Venezuela, 2009. SIGNED BY: Emilio Carrasquel/Patrick Guerrero (Mariners).
BACKGROUND: Campos led the short-season Northwest League in ERA (2.32) and strikeouts (85) as an 18-year-old making his U.S. debut in 2011. The Yankees targeted him in trade talks with the Mariners, acquiring him in January 2012 along with Michael Pineda in exchange for former No. 1 prospect Jesus Montero and Hector Noesi. Five starts into the season, though, the Yankees shut Campos down with what they termed elbow inflammation.
SCOUTING REPORT: Campos gave up one hit in his first 11 innings at low Class A Charleston, and his stuff was electric. When healthy, he pitches at 94-95 mph with his fastball, throwing plenty of strikes and showing late life. For a youngster who throws that hard, he has excellent command of the pitch. At times he wipes out hitters with a power curveball in the upper 70s, and his changeup shows flashes of becoming an above-average offering as well. He needs more innings to refine his secondary pitches and polish up details such as controlling the running game.
THE FUTURE: He didn’t throw in any games in instructional league, and one club official said “hopefully” Campos will be ready for spring training. That’s hardly a ringing endorsement of health for the Yankees’ pitching prospect with the most upside. He likely will work his way back in extended spring training and move up to high Class A in 2013.
6. BRETT MARSHALL, RHP
BORN: March 22, 1990. B-T: R-R. HT.: 5-11. WT.: 200. DRAFTED: HS—Baytown, Texas, 2008 (6th round). SIGNED BY: Steve Boros.
BACKGROUND: When the Yankees didn’t sign first-rounder Gerrit Cole in 2008, Marshall wound up with the largest bonus in their draft class—$850,000 in the sixth round. He struggled mightily before having Tommy John in surgery 2009, but he hasn’t missed a start and has gone 26-16, 3.41 since returning. He led Trenton to the Eastern League finals in 2012, topping the system with 13 wins and ranking fourth with 120 strikeouts.
SCOUTING REPORT: New York originally wanted Marshall to pitch off his fastball and curveball. Since his elbow reconstruction, he has found a consistent high three-quarters slot and pounded the strike zone with a 90-94 mph fastball and the system’s best changeup. Both pitches have similar sinking action and come from the same release point. His changeup arrives at 77-80 mph and made him more effective against lefthanders (.677 OPS) than righthanders (.724) in 2012. A fairly long arm action makes it hard for Marshall to maintain the release point on his two breaking balls. He still throws a show-me curve early in counts, but his mid-80s slider has more potential. It lacks consistency but flashes occasional bite. It’s an average pitch that helps him get grounders rather than strikeouts.
THE FUTURE: Marshall profiles as a durable, sinkerballing No. 4 starter. He’s slated to see his first Triple-A action at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 2013.
7. ANGELO GUMBS, 2B
BORN: Oct. 13, 1992. B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-0. WT.: 175. DRAFTED: HS—Torrance, Calif., 2010 (2nd round). SIGNED BY: Dave Keith.
BACKGROUND: The Yankees have paired Gumbs with 2010 first-rounder Cito Culver for three seasons, and the converted prep outfielder/shortstop has surpassed his double-play partner as a prospect. Gumbs shook off a slow start and was heating up in low Class A when his 2012 season ended in June with a torn ligament in his left elbow that didn’t require surgery.
SCOUTING REPORT: Gumbs still hasn’t completely tapped into his offensive potential because his excessive pre-swing movement negates his premium bat speed. With some easy mechanical adjustments, such as a wider base and calming down his leg kick and bat waggle, he should be able to trust his hands and stay back on offspeed pitches better. He crushes fastballs, lashing line drives from gap to gap. He’s also a plus runner and the system’s best basestealer. Gumbs has made significant growth defensively and is beginning to take advantage of his plus arm and range. He still has some stiffness and hardness to his hands, but as his footwork improves with repetition, he should be a solid defender at second base.
THE FUTURE: Gumbs’ aptitude will determine how quickly he moves. He has made defensive progress and now must do the same offensively to develop into the most well-rounded infielder in the system. He’ll start 2013 in high Class A.
8. MANNY BANUELOS, LHP
BORN: March 13, 1991. B-T: L-L. HT.: 5-11. WT.: 200. SIGNED: Mexico, 2008. SIGNED BY: Lee Sigman.
BACKGROUND: In an organization long known for lefthanded aces, Banuelos was the best southpaw prospect since Andy Pettitte. He nearly made the Yankees with a dominant performance in big league camp in 2011, but instead made a career-best 27 minor league starts as his control regressed. He began 2012 in a prospect-laden Triple-A rotation but made just six starts before getting shut down with elbow pain. He had Tommy John surgery in early October.
SCOUTING REPORT: A command-oriented pitcher when he signed, Banuelos saw his fastball touch 94 at the end of the 2009 season in relief. He maintained his velocity spike in 2010 as a starter, but has had difficulty either staying healthy or throwing strikes since. Before he got hurt, his fastball sat at 91-94 mph and touched 96, with good tailing life at the lower end of that velocity range. He also threw a sharp curveball in the upper 70s and a tumbling changeup, giving him two above-average secondary pitches at his best. He had trouble harnessing his livelier stuff and was unable to make adjustments to throw quality strikes prior to his injury.
THE FUTURE:The track record for elbow reconstruction is good, and Banuelos will be just 23 when he returns to minor league action in 2014. If his stuff returns and he learns to command it, he could develop into a No. 2 starter.
9. TY HENSLEY, RHP
BORN: July 30, 1993. B-T: B-R. HT.: 6-5. WT.: 220. DRAFTED: HS—Edmond, Okla., 2012 (1st round). SIGNED BY: Lloyd Simmons/ Dennis Woody.
BACKGROUND: Hensley’s father Mike was drafted 66th overall out of high school and 53rd overall out of Oklahoma in 1988 before pitching three seasons in the Cardinals system. The Yankees hope to have more success with his son, who gave up football to focus on baseball. The 30th overall pick in June, he originally signed for $1.6 million but had his bonus reduced to $1.2 million after a physical revealed some shoulder abnormalities. He hasn’t had any health issues, however.
SCOUTING REPORT: New York favors curveballs over sliders, and Hensley had one of the best curves in the entire draft, a 12-to-6 breaker in the upper 70s. He has size, athleticism and hand speed, all of which allow him to spin the ball and maintain a 92-95 mph fastball that peaks at 97. He didn’t need a changeup much as an amateur and worked on one during instructional league. Hensley still is growing into his frame and needs to add some strength to maintain his delivery and find a consistent release point, which would improve his command. He tends to elevate his fastball and work up and down in the strike zone.
THE FUTURE: The Yankees sent Hensley to their Dominican instructional camp so he could continue working with pitching coordinator Nardi Contreras. Hensley will focus on improving his fastball command and his changeup in 2013, possibly in low Class A.
10. RAFAEL DEPAULA, RHP
BORN: March 24, 1991. B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-2. WT.: 212. SIGNED: Dominican Republic, 2012. SIGNED BY: Donny Rowland.
BACKGROUND: DePaula has presented different iterations of his name and several different birthdates over the years, leading to a one-year suspension from MLB in May 2009, before he ever even signed a professional contract. Initially courted by a number of teams while he worked out with current Cardinals farmhand Carlos Martinez, DePaula eventually agreed to a $500,000 bonus with the Yankees in November 2010. However, MLB took 16 months to approve the deal while it investigated. He worked out at the Yankees’ Dominican Republic academy while in limbo and finally acquired a visa in March 2012, passed his physical and signed with New York. He made his pro debut with their Rookie-level Dominican Summer League affiliate. He led the DSL with 12.4 strikeouts per nine innings.
SCOUTING REPORT: Most 21-year-olds in a Latin American complex league aren’t prospects, but DePaula is different. His fastball sits in the mid-90s and touches 98 as a starter. Scouts also like his hard curveball, which projects as an above-average or better pitch. He hasn’t needed it much, but he has flashed a promising changeup as well. DePaula’s secondary stuff was inconsistent in his debut, due in part to his lack of experience. But he’s physical with a strong, strapping frame, has a clean arm action and repeats his delivery, allowing him to throw consistent strikes. He has big hands and long arms, and he has shown a feel for manipulating the baseball. Club officials are excited about his work ethic and makeup.
THE FUTURE: DePaula is the biggest X-factor in the system. The organization’s pitching talent has thinned with graduations, trades and attrition, and DePaula’s ceiling is as high as any Yankees minor league pitcher. He’ll be 22 in 2013, when he’s expected to make an aggressive jump from the DSL to high Class A.
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