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Evaluating The New York Yankees’ Top 10 Prospects Going Into 2016 Spring Training

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Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

For the first time in years, the New York Yankees‘ farm system is trending towards the best in baseball. Brian Cashman made it a point to not trade his top prospects at the trade deadline last season, and a few of those names could be on the big-league roster by the 2016 trade deadline. Here are the Yankees’ top 10 prospects heading into 2016 Spring Training.

10. P Domingo Acevedo

P Domingo Acevedo Getty Images
At just 21 years old, Acevedo may not make it to the major leagues for a few seasons, but he has the potential to be a power arm. In 12 starts, he went 3-0 with a 1.81 ERA and 1.11 WHIP. His fastball sits at the mid-to-high 90s, and he can sling it at 100 mph. If he progresses in the right direction, he could be a No. 1 or No. 2 starter.

At just 21 years old, Acevedo may not make it to the major leagues for a few seasons, but he has the potential to be a power arm. In 12 starts, he went 3-0 with a 1.81 ERA and 1.11 WHIP. His fastball sits at the mid-to-high 90s, and he can sling it at 100 mph. If he progresses in the right direction, he could be a No. 1 or No. 2 starter.

9. P Brady Lail

P Brady Lail Getty Images
Lail rose quickly through the minor leagues, going 10-6 with a 2.91 ERA in 28 games across three levels in 2015 while striking out 85 batters. His fastball tops out in the low 90s, but he has shown the ability to consistently throw strikes. He could make his MLB debut in 2016 if an injury opens up a spot.

Lail rose quickly through the minor leagues, going 10-6 with a 2.91 ERA in 28 games across three levels in 2015 while striking out 85 batters. His fastball tops out in the low 90s, but he has shown the ability to consistently throw strikes. He could make his MLB debut in 2016 if an injury opens up a spot.

8. P Drew Finley

P Drew Finley Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Finley was drafted in 2015 at just 19 years old, but is one of the Yankees' most polished prospects. In 12 starts in Rookie ball, Finley went 0-1 with a 3.94 ERA and 1.63 WHIP. For a kid who made the jump from high school, it's a strong start. Finley has a good breaking ball, and could end up with a profile similar to that of Andy Pettitte.

Finley was drafted in 2015 at just 19 years old, but is one of the Yankees' most polished prospects. In 12 starts in Rookie ball, Finley went 0-1 with a 3.94 ERA and 1.63 WHIP. For a kid who made the jump from high school, it's a strong start. Finley has a good breaking ball, and could end up with a profile similar to that of Andy Pettitte.

7. P Jacob Lindgren

P Jacob Lindgren Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Lindgren appeared in just 15 games in the minors before being called up in 2015. In seven appearances with New York, he had eight strikeouts in seven innings while sporting a 1.29 WHIP. Unfortunately, he ended up missing the rest of the season after undergoing bone spur surgery. Manager Joe Girardi liked what he saw last season, and will have him compete for a bullpen spot in Spring Training.

Lindgren appeared in just 15 games in the minors before being called up in 2015. In seven appearances with New York, he had eight strikeouts in seven innings while sporting a 1.29 WHIP. Unfortunately, he ended up missing the rest of the season after undergoing bone spur surgery. Manager Joe Girardi liked what he saw last season, and will have him compete for a bullpen spot in Spring Training.

6. P Ian Clarkin

P Ian Clarkin Getty Images
Since being drafted by the Yankees in 2013, Clarkin has slowly moved his way up. Unfortunately, an elbow injury kept him out of action during the entire 2015 season, prompting him to play in the AFL instead. In six starts, Clarkin went 2-2 with a 5.84 ERA while striking out 17 batters. His fastball sits at the low-to-mid 90s, and a good curveball could put him in the middle of the rotation as long as he is healthy.

Since being drafted by the Yankees in 2013, Clarkin has slowly moved his way up. Unfortunately, an elbow injury kept him out of action during the entire 2015 season, prompting him to play in the AFL instead. In six starts, Clarkin went 2-2 with a 5.84 ERA while striking out 17 batters. His fastball sits at the low-to-mid 90s, and a good curveball could put him in the middle of the rotation as long as he is healthy.

5. P James Kaprielian

P James Kaprielian Dave Weaver-USA TODAY Sports
Kaprielian has the build of a No. 1 or No. 2 starter at 6-foot-4. His fastball only reaches the low 90s, but he mixes in his off-speed stuff enough to keep batters guessing. In three starts with the Staten Island Yankees, Kaprielian went 0-1 with a 2.00 ERA and 1.11 WHIP. A first-round pick in 2015, Kaprielian will require a few more years of seasoning in the minors.

Kaprielian has the build of a No. 1 or No. 2 starter at 6-foot-4. His fastball only reaches the low 90s, but he mixes in his off-speed stuff enough to keep batters guessing. In three starts with the Staten Island Yankees, Kaprielian went 0-1 with a 2.00 ERA and 1.11 WHIP. A first-round pick in 2015, Kaprielian will require a few more years of seasoning in the minors.

4. C Gary Sanchez

C Gary Sanchez Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Gary Sanchez has essentially been on every Yankees top prospect list since they signed him back in 2009. With the Yankees' trade of John Ryan Murphy, the backup catcher position is open, and Sanchez has a good shot to grab it. He has the power (18 HRs last season), and contact ability (.274 AVG) to make an impact. His defense still needs work, leaving him as the most likely backup to Brian McCann for now.

Gary Sanchez has essentially been on every Yankees top prospect list since they signed him back in 2009. With the Yankees' trade of John Ryan Murphy, the backup catcher position is open, and Sanchez has a good shot to grab it. He has the power (18 HRs last season), and contact ability (.274 AVG) to make an impact. His defense still needs work, leaving him as the most likely backup to Brian McCann for now.

3. 2B Rob Refsnyder

2B Rob Refsnyder Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Refsnyder finally made the jump to the majors in 2015, playing in 16 games for the Yankees and batting .302 with two home runs. Unfortunately, the Yankees brought in Starlin Castro to play second base, leaving Refsnyder the odd man out once again. Expect Refsnyder to be either the backup to Castro or be back in Triple-A. A trade may be in the works if the Yankees feel they can get something back for him.

Refsnyder finally made the jump to the majors in 2015, playing in 16 games for the Yankees and batting .302 with two home runs. Unfortunately, the Yankees brought in Starlin Castro to play second base, leaving Refsnyder the odd man out once again. Expect Refsnyder to be either the backup to Castro or be back in Triple-A. A trade may be in the works if the Yankees feel they can get something back for him.

2. SS Jorge Mateo

SS Jorge Mateo Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Mateo's name came up last season as an untouchable prospect when the Yankees were engaged in trade talks. He's a Jose Reyes-type who can use his speed and ability to drive the ball into the gaps, and slashed .278/.345/.392 across two levels last season. Didi Gregorius does not hit free agency until 2020, but Mateo could be brought up much sooner. He could be the best Yankees infield prospect since Robinson Cano or even Derek Jeter.

Mateo's name came up last season as an untouchable prospect when the Yankees were engaged in trade talks. He's a Jose Reyes-type who can use his speed and ability to drive the ball into the gaps, and slashed .278/.345/.392 across two levels last season. Didi Gregorius does not hit free agency until 2020, but Mateo could be brought up much sooner. He could be the best Yankees infield prospect since Robinson Cano or even Derek Jeter.

1. RF Aaron Judge

RF Aaron Judge Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
At 6-foot-7 and 275 pounds, Judge is built like a tight end and draws comparisons to Giancarlo Stanton. His 20 home runs in 2015 with Trenton and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre were an improvement from 2014, but his average did drop by more than 50 points. It has caused some concern, but Judge is a hard-working player and will work to fix his average.

At 6-foot-7 and 275 pounds, Judge is built like a tight end and draws comparisons to Giancarlo Stanton. His 20 home runs in 2015 with Trenton and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre were an improvement from 2014, but his average did drop by more than 50 points. It has caused some concern, but Judge is a hard-working player and will work to fix his average.

Mike Daniello is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter, like him on Facebook, and follow him on Instagram.
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