Don’t forget to pick up your copy of the The 2024 Prospect Digest Handbook here.
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1. Jasson Dominguez, CF
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 50 | 50/60 | 60/40 | 50 | 50 | 55 |
Background: The summer of 1990 belonged to Kevin Maas. His rookie cards were hotter than hot. He was on an incredible homerun pace, slugging 21 dingers in only 79 games. And, quite frankly, he helped rejuvenate a terrible New York Yankees squad, one that would go on to lose 95 games that season. Jasson Dominguez looked like the second coming of the 1990 version of Kevin Maas during his debut last season too. The Martian mashed .258/.303/.677 and cranked four dingers in only eight games with the Yanks. He was everywhere – social media, sports networks, news networks, you name it and he was talked about. Then it all came crashing down. Elbow issues which eventually forced him under the knife for Tommy John surgery and some supporting with an internal brace. Prior to his call up, Dominguez appeared in 118 games (all but nine in Double-A), slugging an aggregate .265/.377/.425 with 22 doubles, three triples, 15 homeruns, and 40 stolen bases (in 48 total attempts). Per Weighted Runs Created Plus, his overall production topped the league average mark by 22%.
Snippet from The 2023 Prospect Digest Handbook: Dominguez is built like a Division I running back, but runs incredibly well for his girth. With that being said, he’s still likely going to slide over to a corner outfield position in the coming as years due to lack of positive defensive value.
Scouting Report: Consider the following:
Since 2006, only three 20-year-old bats posted a 113 to 123 wRC+ with a 24% to 28% strikeout rate with one club in any Double-A league (min. 350 PA): Travis Snider, Anthony Gose, and – of course – Jasson Dominguez.
At some point you almost have to feel sorry for Dominguez, at least to some degree. He’s called The Martian. He’s been the heir apparent to the Face of the Franchise since day that he crossed the foul line. And then he took New York by storm. There’s no way he can live up to the expectations. And he’s eventually going to get shredded for it. But here’s the thing: Dominguez is going to be a solid big leaguer, maybe not quite the impact superstar some think he may be, but he’s going to be valuable nonetheless. He can handle centerfield, but his body type and build will likely push him away and towards a corner outfield spot. Very patient approach, average power and speed with the former likely to grow into above-average territory as he matures. He’s still tracking like a good version of Tyler O’Neil. In terms of big league ceiling, think something along the lines of .265/.345/.440.
Ceiling: 3.0-win player
Risk: Moderate
MLB ETA: Debuted in 2023
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2. Spencer Jones, CF
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 40/45 | 50/60 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 55 |
Background: If you ever suspected that baseball was scripted, Spencer Jones to the Yankees would only add to the conspiracy because, well, it just made sense. Aaron Judge was a massive outfielder taken in the opening round more by the storied franchise more than a decade ago. And then here comes another massive outfielder, standing a Judgian 6-foot-6 and 235 pounds. Jones put on a display during his final season at Vanderbilt, mashing to the tune of .370/.460/.644 with 21 doubles, three triples, 12 homeruns, and 14 stolen bases (in 15 total attempts). After the Yankees grabbed him with the 25th overall pick two things immediately happened: #1 the Aaron Judge comparisons and expectations were (unfairly) slapped upon Jones and #2 the Commodore outfielder did nothing to stop those comps as he slugged a scorching .344/.425/.538 with 10 extra-base knocks in only 25 games, all but three coming in the Florida State League. The front office brass sent the developing slugger right up to Hudson Valley at the start of the year and he continued to perform, batting .268/.337/.450 over 100 contests. He spent the last couple of weeks acquitting himself nicely in the fires of Double-A, as well. Jones finished his first full season with an aggregate .267/.336/.444 with 29 doubles, four triples, 16 homeruns, and 43 stolen bases (in 55 total attempts). Per Weight Runs Created Plus, his overall production topped the league average mark by 13%.
Snippet from The 2023 Prospect Digest Handbook: Due to the pandemic and Tommy John surgery and recovery process, Jones projects more than the typical third year, polished college hitter. The tools are readily apparent: above-average power, above-average speed, and a solid approach at the plate. Good looking swing, but it tends to be long, leading to some concerning swing-and-miss tendencies. Pitchers seemed to have a lot of success living on the outer part of the plate.
Scouting Report: Consider the following:
Since 2006, only four 22-year-old hitters met the following criteria with one club in any High-A league (min. 350 PA): 110 to 120 wRC+, a 28% to 30% strikeout rate, and an 8% to 10% walk rate. Those four bats: Jesse Franklin, John Silviano, Cade Doughty, and Spencer Jones.
Watch someone built in a similar fashion that’s had success at the big league level, someone like, I don’t know, Aaron Judge. His swing is so compact, so quick. Then compare that to Jones’ swing and the stark difference is clear, at least where Jones stands currently. It’s long and filled with some holes that he’s going to have to plug. Jones is also just starting to tap into what should be plus power. The former Commodore swiped a bunch of bags last season, but he’s more lumbering that you’d think based on that total. With that being said, he’s a solid defender in centerfield, but he’s likely going to slide over to corner spot as he ages in the coming years. Now the final bad news: he was pretty awful against lefties, batting .220/.296/.390 (compared to .305/.370/.484). He’s tracking like a .250/.330/.440-type hitter, but he needs to clean up the swing.
Ceiling: 3.5-win player
Risk: High
MLB ETA: 2025
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3. Roderick Arias, SS
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 20/50 | 40/55 | 50 | 50 | 55 | 55 |
Background: The Yankees love spending money. And, really, who can blame them? But it’s not just for high profile big league talent. They spend – sometimes lavishly – on the international free agency market too. It’s how that they added Jasson Dominguez to the fold. And it’s how they added Roderick Arias too. Ranked by MLB.com as the top international free agent in 2022, New York inked the 6-foot, 178-pound shortstop to a massive $4 million deal. Arias, a native of San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic, would stay in his home country for his professional debut a few months later. And, to be frank, he hardly looked the part of a big dollar top prospect. Arias would put together a lowly .194/.379/.370 with six doubles, two triples, and three homeruns. Despite that lackluster showing – as well as punching out in a third of his plate appearances – the front office sent Arias stateside to the Complex League last season. And he looked significantly improved. The young shortstop slugged .267/.423/.505 with two doubles, two triples, six homeruns, and 17 stolen bases (in 23 total attempts). His overall production, as measured by Weighted Runs Created Plus, topped the league average mark by a whopping 43%. Perhaps the best development: Arias’ strikeout rate dropped from 32.9% down to 22.3% during his sophomore season. His season came to a premature end thanks to a broken thumb.
Snippet from The 2023 Prospect Digest Handbook: The swing is quick, but long. It’s doubtful the front office sends their big investment back to the Dominican Summer League, so he’s likely moving stateside into the Complex League.
Scouting Report: Arias hardly resembled the same player during his second season. The swing has plenty of speed as it whips through the strike zone. And his natural uppercut will allow for his plus power potential to come to fruition at some point. Loud tools: power, plus speed, the potential to stick at a premium up-the-middle-position. It’s all going to come down to the hit tool. Even if it’s a 40-grade, which is where it’s at now, Arias can be an impact player along the lines of Jazz Chisholm. If the hit tool moves up towards average, he could be a perennial All-Star.
Ceiling: 3.0-win player
Risk: High
MLB ETA: 2026/2027
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4. Chase Hampton, RHP
| FB | CB | SL | CU | CH | Command | Overall |
| 55 | 55 | 55 | 55 | N/A | 50/55 | 50 |
Background: The Yankees’ front office and player development squad don’t get enough – or any – credit for the way the farm system has churned out underrated useful big league arms. Guys like Randy Vásquez, Jhony Brito, Michael King – though two of the three were recently dealt away. Chase Hampton could be among the next wave the farm system bumps up. Taken in the sixth round of the 2022 draft, the former Texas Tech hurler didn’t make his professional debut until last season. After nine strong starts with Hudson Valley in High-A, the front office sent the right-hander up to the fires of Double-A in the second half. And the 6-foot-2, 220-pound righty quietly held his own, sometimes dominating. Hampton finished his debut season with 106.2 innings spread across 20 starts, averaging 12.2 punch outs and just 3.1 walks per nine innings. He finished the year with a 3.63 ERA and an even better 3.38 FIP.
Scouting Report: Consider the following:
Since 2006, only three 21-year-old hurlers posted a 26.5% to 28.5% strikeout percentage with a 6.5% to 8.5% walk percentage with one club in any Double-A league (min. 50 IP): Chance Adams, former Yankees, Simeon Woods Richardson, and – of course – former sixth round Chase Hampton.
It takes all of about three pitches from Hampton to start asking how the former Red Raider lasted until the sixth round two summers ago. The big right-hander showcases a quality five pitch mix, though he relies on his four best offerings. Low- to mid-90s fastball sitting in the 93- to 95-mph range consistently, Hampton loves to elevate the offering, particularly when he’s head fishing for a punch out. Above-average, big bending 12-6 curveball. Above-average, low- to mid-80s slider that he will manipulate the shape of. An upper 80s cutter that can be an equalizer. He’ll also mix in a below-average change (according to reports, though I never saw one). He commands the zone well, but he’s particularly precision-like with the cutter/slider. There is, without a doubt, big league value brewing in Hampton’s right arm. Mid-rotation ceiling may be a bit lofty, but he’s going to be a solid big league starter for the quite a while.
Ceiling: 2.5-win player
Risk: Moderate
MLB ETA: 2024
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5. Henry Lalane, LHP
| FB | CB | CH | Command | Overall |
| 55/60 | 60/70 | 55 | 55 | 55 |
Background: According to Lalane’s bio on MLB.com, the Yankees handed the lanky lefty a $350,000 in early May 2021. Lalane, originally from the Bronx, made his professional debut in the foreign rookie league almost immediately after joining the organization. The 6-foot-7, 211-pound left-hander made 12 brief starts that summer, posting a 39-to-25 strikeout-to-walk ratio to go along with a 3.70 ERA. New York kept Lalane down in the foreign rookie league the following year, 2022, hoping the additional seasoning would help him hone in on the strike zone with greater frequency. And you know what? It worked. Lalane posted a dominant 52-to-14 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 48.1 innings of work. Last season Lalane made the leap to the stateside rookie league and he was a man among boys. Appearing in eight games, five coming via the start, the New York native hurled 21.2 innings but manage to whiff 34 batters while only handing out a pair of walks. He finished the Complex League season with a 4.57 ERA, a 3.44 FIP, and a 2.76 xFIP.
Scouting Report: Long and wiry, like the left-handed version of Eury Perez. Lalane continue to show an impressive feel for the strike zone, particularly for someone his age and size. His fastball sits in the low- to mid-90s but there’s plenty of room – and optimism – that it spills over into a full-fledged plus offering as his body matures. Plus slider with a lot of horizontal sweep. He’ll also mix in an above-average changeup as well. Lalane’s incredibly athletic and moves well for a 6-foot-7 hurler. If he can push his fastball from touching the mid-90s to sitting in the mid-90s, he could pop in a large way. One more thought: given his ability to change speeds and command the zone, reaching Double-A by early 2025 seems within reach.
Ceiling: 3.0-win player
Risk: High
MLB ETA: 2026
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6. George Lombard, SS
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 45 | 45/50 | 40 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
Background: The Braves’ 1994 draft class is rather uninspiring. Only five of their 58 picks would make the major leagues, the most valuable – per Baseball Reference’s WAR – is the immortal Ron Wright, who tallied -0.1 wins above replacement. Their first two picks, Jacob Shumate and Corey Pointer, never made it out of Double-A, the minors’ most notorious proving ground. But their third pick, George Lombard, looked like a potential cornerstone player, someone who could help extend their dynastic window. A four-year member of Baseball America’s Top 100 Prospect List, including as high as #26 overall in 1999, Lombard flashed five-tool potential as he mashed .308/.410/.543 with 22 homeruns and 35 stolen bases as a 22-year-old in the old Southern League (AA). Unfortunately, though, the former second round pick could never quite figure it out at the big league level, hitting just .220/.281/.340 in 144 career games (across six seasons and four organizations). His son, George Lombard Jr., hopes to (A) best his dad’s draft status and (B) develop into a star at the game’s pinnacle level. A product of Gulliver Prep High School, Lombard Jr., who committed to Vanderbilt University, began opening eyes as a sophomore in 2021 when he batted .367/.441/.600. He would promptly follow that up with an impressive .360/.504/.779 slash line. And Lombard raised the bar even further during his final prep season: he mashed .478/.583/.855 with 14 doubles, one triple, and six homeruns. The Yankees called his name with the 26th overall pick last season and signed him to a deal worth $3.3 million. The teenage shortstop made abbreviated stops in the Complex and Florida State Leagues, hitting an aggregate .311/.466/.356 with a pair of doubles in 13 games.
Scouting Report: Simple easy swing. Lombard has the mechanics of hitting down pat. But he seems to lack the strength to consistently drive the ball, especially on inside offerings. There’s plenty of room to add bulk on his wiry 6-foot-3 frame. He profiles as solid defender at shortstop, lacking any glaring holes rather dazzling with the leather.
Ceiling: 1.5- to 2.0-win player
Risk: Moderate
MLB ETA: 2027/2028
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7. Brando Mayea, CF
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 45/55 | 50/55 | 60 | 50 | 55 | 55 |
Background: To the complete and utter surprise of none one, the Yankees went after one of the top international prospects during the 2023 signing period and then handed him a massive seven-figure bonus. Enter Brando Mayea, who earned a hefty $4.35 million pact. A native of La Habana, Cuba, Mayea made his affiliated debut in the Dominican Summer League last season. Appearing in 38 games, the 5-foot-11, 175-pound centerfielder batted a respectable .276/.382/.400 with seven doubles, one triple, three homeruns, and 22 stolen bases (in 29 total attempts). Per Weighted Runs Created Plus, Mayea’s overall production topped the league average threshold by 13%.
Scouting Report: Lightning quick bat that borderlines on violent, Mayea is going to reach, at least, above-average power – to all fields, despite his sub-6-foot frame. The teenage centerfielder shows a pretty advanced approach at the plate, shooting balls indiscriminately around the diamond. He’s still ways away from putting it all together, but he a chance to the top of the Yankees’ prospect list.
Ceiling: 2.5- to 3.0-win player
Risk: High
MLB ETA: 2028
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8. Everson Pereira, OF
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 40 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
Background: Sure, the Yankees had the typical Yankees payroll last season. But the club also introduced a lot of youth throughout the season. Guys like Anthony Volpe, Austin Wells, Jasson Dominguez, Jhony Brito, Randy Vásquez, and – of course – Everson Pereira all made their big league debuts last season. Signed as an international free agent in 2017, Pereira’s moved rather quickly through the system the last three seasons, going from Low-A in 2021 to Double-A by the end of 2022, and then he split time with Somerset and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre before finishing up in New York in 2023. Pereira finished his minor league season with an aggregate .300/.373/.548 with 17 doubles, two triples, 18 homeruns, and 11 stolen bases. His overall production, per Weighted Runs Created Plus, topped the league average mark by 39%. He struggled during their 27-game cameo with the Yankees, hitting a lowly .151/.233/.194 with just four doubles in 103 PA.
Snippet from The 2023 Prospect Digest Handbook: The ingredients to become a solid average big leaguer are present, but who knows how long it needs to bake, though.
Scouting Report: The swing-and-miss issues persisted in Double-A and Triple-A, and then exploded at the big league level. And it’s really nothing new for Pereira. He hasn’t posted a sub-26.8% K-rate since his 19-game stint in Low-A in 2021. He looked really susceptible to slow stuff low in the zone in the minors, and that bore out in the bigs too. He posted a staggering 70.8% Whiff % on anything offspeed during his cameo. You cannot succeed on anything even within the same state as that. Pereira has the tools to go 20/20 with solid defense in a corner outfield spot. The hit tool is worse than anyone’s willing to admit though.
Ceiling: 2.0-win player
Risk: High
MLB ETA: Debuted in 2023
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9. Austin Wells, C
| Hit | Power | SB | Patience | Glove | Overall |
| 40 | 55 | 30 | 50 | 50 | 45 |
Background: An interesting little tidbit about Austin Wells, first round catchers, and the New York Yankees: With his Major League debut last season, Austin Wells became the first backstop that was drafted by the club in the opening round to make the big leagues since Thurman Munson, who, in my opinion, without question should be in the Hall of Fame. Wells was part of the club’s youth infusion last summer. And the results – albeit in a very short sample size – were mixed. He batted .229/.257/.486 with six doubles and four homeruns in only 75 plate appearances. During his minor league stint, Wells appeared in 96 games (five with Tampa, 58 with Somerset, and 33 with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre), hitting an aggregate .240/.333/.442 with a career best in doubles (24) to go along with 17 homeruns.
Snippet from The 2023 Prospect Digest Handbook: If a great defensive catcher is referred to as a brick wall, Wells’ work behind the dish was like spaghetti strainer two years ago. But, surprisingly, he did make a complete reversal on the defensive side of the ball.
Scouting Report: He’s cut from a similar mold as Jake Rogers and Eric Haase. An offensive-limited bat that’s doomed by a below-average hit tool and buoyed somewhat by solid power and solid OBP skills. Wells’ defense isn’t on par with someone like Rogers, but it’s pretty solid – a very strong 50-grade. His debut last year is pretty close to his offensive ceiling at the big league level with some added OBP points, something along the lines of .235/.325/.420. The bar is set so low at the big league level that he could easily spend six or seven years as a low-end starter.
Ceiling: 1.5-win player
Risk: Moderate
MLB ETA: Debuted in 2023
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10. Will Warren, RHP
| FB | SW | SL | CH | Command | Overall |
| 50 | 50 | 55 | 50+ | 50 | 45 |
Background: Another one of the club’s mid- to late-round success stories. New York unearthed the 6-foot-2, 175-pound right-hander in the eighth round out of the immortal Southeastern Louisiana University in 2021. But Warren quickly proved that his small school background wouldn’t hinder his potential big league future. The former Lion split his 2022 debut between Hudson Valley and Somerset, throwing 129.9 innings across 26 starts while averaging 8.7 strikeouts and just 2.9 walks per nine innings. Last season, the front office sent Warren back down to the Patriots for a brief second round of seasoning. But after posting a dominant 39-to-12 strikeout-to-walk ratio through six starts, the organization – finally – relented and sent him upward to the minors’ final level: Triple-A. He would make another 21 appearances with the RailRiders, 19 of which were starts, he averaged 9.9 whiffs and an uncharacteristically high 4.2 BBs per nine innings. He posted a 3.61 ERA, 4.89 FIP, and 4.24 xFIP in Triple-A.
Snippet from The 2023 Prospect Digest Handbook: A significantly better arsenal than you’d expect coming for an older-ish college player taken in the mid-rounds of draft. Backend starting material, but it’s [not] going to happen in [NY]. He’s either staring down a relief role or a trade.
Scouting Report: Consider the following:
Since 2006, only four 24-year-old hurlers posted a 24.5% to 26.5% strikeout percentage with a 10% to 12% walk percentage with one club in any Triple-A league (min. 75 IP): Duane Underwood Jr., Huascar Ynoa, Francisco Cruceta, and Will Warren.
Another one of these young farmhand arms that possesses a very solid, big league quality repertoire. Above-average fastball that can reach as high as 96 mph, though it typically sits in the 94-mph range. He’ll back it up with three strong secondary offerings: an upper-80s slider, a low 80s sweeper (often just referred to as a curveball), and a sneakily good changeup that shows some last minute drop. Warren’s command backed up a full grade last season, going from average to below-average, but it’s still decent enough to get big league bats out consistently. I still think Warren gets dealt away at some point. He could be a cheap backend starter for several seasons.
Ceiling: 1.5-win player
Risk: Moderate
MLB ETA: 2024
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All statistics were provided via the following website: Baseball Reference, FanGraphs, TheBaseballCube, BaseballProspectus, ClayDavenport.com, Baseball America, and X-user @mk237700 (for compiling Statcast Data)
