Yankees' Top Prospects, Farm System Progress Report, Draft Targets
The New York Yankees have been the best team in the American League through the first two months of the 2022 season, and their roster is as complete as any in baseball with a high-powered offense, baseball's best starting rotation and a solid bullpen.
They also have a bright future with a strong farm system headlined by infielders Anthony Volpe and Oswald Cabrera, outfielder Jasson Dominguez and 2020 first-round pick Austin Wells.
Let's take a closer look at their top 10 prospect list, a general overview of the farm system, and a look ahead at who might be on their radar when they are on the clock in the 2022 draft.
Updated Top 10 Prospect List
Top 10 Prospects
1. SS Anthony Volpe (No. 8 on B/R's Top 100 list)
2. SS Oswald Peraza (No. 53 on B/R's Top 100 list)
3. C Austin Wells (No. 65 on B/R's Top 100 list)
4. LHP Ken Waldichuk (No. 69 on B/R's Top 100 list)
5. OF Jasson Dominguez (No. 83 on B/R's Top 100 list)
6. RHP Hayden Wesneski
7. SS Trey Sweeney
8. RHP Luis Gil
9. OF Everson Pereira
10. RHP Luis Medina
Farm System Progress Report
The Yankees checked in No. 11 in our most recent farm system rankings, which were updated on May 30.
Strong starts from catcher Austin Wells (121 PA, .323/.429/.576, 13 XBH) and left-hander Ken Waldichuk (9 GS, 1.43 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 67 K, 44.0 IP) have vaulted them into the Top 100 prospect conversation and have increased the overall profile of the farm system in the process.
Meanwhile, after a slow start to the year, hyped teenager Jasson Dominguez hit .310/.419/.563 with 13 extra-base hits in 105 plate appearances in May.
Keep an eye on right-hander Hayden Wesneski as a potential MLB contributor before the season is over. The 24-year-old has a 3.52 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 45 strikeouts in 46 innings at Triple-A.
Potential Draft Targets
The Yankees have the No. 25 overall pick in the 2022 MLB draft, which gets underway on July 17 during MLB All-Star weekend.
Here's a look at some recent mock draft projections:
B/R Mock Draft (5/19): RHP Kumar Rocker, Tri-City ValleyCats
The New York Mets selected Rocker with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2021 draft after he posted a 2.73 ERA with 179 strikeouts in 122 innings during his junior season at Vanderbilt. However, concerns arose over his elbow and shoulder in his post-draft physical, and he ultimately went unsigned. Now he's pitching for an indy ball team, and if he can prove healthy, he could be a steal at the back of the first round.
MLB.com Mock Draft (6/1): SS Cole Young, North Allegheny HS (PA)
Part of the second-tier of high school prospects in this year's draft class, Young has a 60-grade hit tool and strong defensive skills that should allow him to stick at shortstop. He has drawn comparisons to Adam Frazier and Stephen Drew.
Baseball America Mock Draft (6/3): OF Brock Jones, Stanford
Jones has as much helium as any college bat thanks to a .323/.457/.642 line this spring that includes 13 doubles, 17 home runs, 50 RBI and 15 steals. He has some swing-and-miss to his game with a 23.2 percent strikeout rate, and his current approach is power-over-contact, but his offensive upside is worth the risk late in the first round.
All stats courtesy of Baseball Reference and accurate through Tuesday's games.