Yankees 2018 Pre-Spring Training Prospect Ranking: 16-20

Brendan Kuty

Matt Linder

Now, it is time for the third installment of my Yankees Top 30 Prospect ranking, 16-20.

Mark Lomoglio

20. Kyle Holder – INF Age: 23
-2017 Performance: This past season did not get off to a great start for Holder.  In April and May with Low-A Tampa, he hit a paltry .188/.229/.248.  He also took two trips to the disabled list during this period.  However, after the rough beginning, Kyle slashed .314/.361/.396 in the final three months of the season.  Thanks to the strong finish, the Yankees sent him to the Arizona Fall League.  Against top minor league pitching, Kyle hit .367 with five extra-base hits, while only striking out 4 times in 11 games.

-Strengths: Holder’s carrying tool is his defense.  He has quick hands, good range and a strong, accurate arm at shortstop.  MLB.com voted Kyle the best defensive shortstop in the minor leagues after the 2016 season.  Although his bat clearly lags behind his defense, he did make some strides offensively in 2017.  Holder has a quiet set-up and his compact swing, resembling that of Jacoby Ellsbury (don’t hate me Yankee fans).

-Weaknesses/Concerns: Kyle’s bat has always been the main concern.  So far in his professional career he has been an rather ineffective hitter.  He does not walk a lot nor hit for power.  Holder’s offensive value relies on his batting average.  Kyle can be prone to getting out on his front foot, causing him to roll over.  Also, he does not provide much value on the base paths in terms of stealing bags.

-2018 Outlook: Holder will likely begin the season in Trenton.  The jump from High-A to Double-A is probably the toughest in the minor leagues.  If Kyle can hold his own offensively and build upon his 2017 production, he will resolve many of the concerns surrounding him.

Bryan Green

19. Nolan Martinez – SP Age: 19
-2017 Performance: Martinez made his first appearance of the season on July 18 after being sidelined with a shoulder injury.  He spilt time between both of the Yankees’ Rookie Ball teams and only totaled a combined five starts (13.2 innings).  In his limited action, Nolan posted a 0.66 ERA, while striking out 14 and walking three.

-Strengths: Martinez has a solid fastball-curveball combination.  His heater sits in the low-to-mid-90s with good life thanks to an above average spin rate.  Similarly, his breaking ball has good depth and late bite because of plus spin rate.  He is a good athlete and has shown the ability to repeat his delivery and throw strikes.  A 19-year old with the potential for two plus pitches is a solid foundation to build upon.

-Weaknesses/Concerns: The biggest red flag with Martinez is the shoulder injury.  Whenever a pitcher misses a significant portion of the season due to a rotator cuff problem, there is reason for concern.  Also, Nolan’s changeup is a distant third pitch which is not uncommon for a recent high school draftee.  If Martinez wants to be a long term starting pitcher, he needs to improve his third offering.     

-2018 Outlook: Nolan will likely start the year in either Rookie Ball with Pulaski or Short Season Staten Island.  The Yankees are going to be cautious with Martinez due to his age and previous injury.  This upcoming season will be a success if he can stay healthy and continue to develop his changeup.

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18. Rony Garcia – SP     Age: 20
-2017 Performance: Garcia built upon his success in 2016 and put together another strong year.  After two quick “tune-up” starts in Rookie Ball with Pulaski, he made eleven starts in Low-A Charleston.  As a Riverdog, Rony threw 64.1 innings with a 2.24 ERA and a K/BB ratio of 45/15.  He was three years younger than the average player in Low-A, making his numbers even more impressive.

-Strengths: Garcia has two plus pitches, a low-to-mid-90s cutter and a sharp ‘slurvy’ breaking ball.  Rony consistently throws strikes thanks to his repeatable delivery.  He has a slow, deliberate windup (similar to Ivan Nova), but his quick arm action allows his cutter to jump on the hitter.  Also, Garcia has prototypical size for a starting pitcher – 6’3” and 200 lbs.

-Weaknesses/Concerns: Repeating a common theme of this series, Rony needs to develop his changeup.  It is currently a distant third pitch, but will be increasingly important as he works his way toward the big leagues.  Also, despite Garcia’s plus stuff, he averaged less than a strike out per inning in Charleston.  The less-than-stellar punch-out totals are likely due to pitching inexperience, but it is something to keep an eye on.

-2018 Outlook: Rony will probably repeat Low-A and begin the season in Charleston.  If Garcia pitches well and continues to develop, he may earn a promotion to Tampa.  Rony has the potential to jump from an under-the-radar teenager to a top-pitching prospect.

J. Conrad Williams Jr.

17. Billy McKinney- OF/1B Age: 23
-2017 Performance: Coming off a down season in 2016, McKinney rebounded nicely in his first full season with the Yankees organization.  He began the year in Double-A where he hit .250/.339/.431 with 6 home runs in 69 games.  Billy finished the regular season in Triple-A.  In Scranton, McKinney slashed .306/.336/.541 and 10 home runs over 55 games.  After the Railriders’ season concluded, the Yankees sent him to the Arizona Fall League where he continued to produce.  In the AFL, he had an OBP of .373 and seven extra-base hits over 19 games.  Overall, 2017 was a successful year and his performance earned him a spot on the Yankees 40-man roster.

-Strengths: Billy has always possessed an advanced feel for hitting.  His quick swing, strong contact skills and mature approach produced solid batting averages.  This past season, McKinney finally added home run power to his offensive skill set.  He made an effort to drive the ball when ahead in the count by looking to elevate the baseball.  The 16 home runs were a career high.  McKinney demonstrates good patience at the plate and the ability to draw walks.  Also, he is beginning to learn how to play first base in order to enhance his positional versatility.

-Weaknesses/Concerns: Aside from his bat, none of Billy’s other tools stand out.  He has slightly below average speed which limits him to a corner outfield position and/or first base.  However, he is probably best suited for left field due to his below average arm.  McKinney’s poor 2016 was likely due to a lingering shin injury, which although he seemed to rebound nicely from this season, is something to monitor.

-2018 Outlook: He will start the year in Triple-A due to the Yankees crowded outfield situation.  Since Billy is seemingly blocked in the outfield and at first base, he could be traded (likely as a secondary piece).

Robert Pimpsner

16. Deivi Garcia – SP Age: 18
-2017 Performance: Garcia did a lot of traveling this past season, pitching for three different teams.  Deivi opened the season in the Dominican Summer League where he threw 15.1 innings with a 1.17 ERA and a K/BB ratio of 18/2.  On June 26th, he moved stateside to pitch for the Gulf Coast League (GCL) Yankees West.  In the GCL, Garcia had a 3.24 ERA and 24 punch-outs in 16.2 innings.  His final destination was with Pulaski of the Appalachian League, a slightly higher level of Rookie Ball compared to the GCL.  Deivi struck out 43 batters in only 28 innings, but he had a 4.50 ERA and saw his walk total rise to 13.  Despite never settling in with one team, Garcia had an impressive 2017.  In a total of 60 innings, he had 85 strikeouts to only 19 walks and an ERA of 3.30.

-Strengths:  I almost certainly have Deivi ranked higher than any other prospect publication.  However, the combination of an electric fastball and devastating curveball blew me away.  Garcia’s heater sits in the low-90s, but has hit 96 mph.  He has shown the ability to ride the fastball up in the zone and get hitters to chase.  As impressive as the heater is, the curveball is the pitch that really jumped off the screen.  He is capable of throwing it for strikes and burying it in the dirt.  Thanks to the curveball's plus spin rate, the pitch breaks a lot and the movement is late.  Garcia has a lighting quick arm that whips through his delivery.  It is an effortless motion and the ball explodes out of his hand.

-Weaknesses/Concerns:  Deivi is undersized for a starting pitcher, only listed at 5’10” and 163 lbs.  Naturally scouts worry about short pitchers being able to create downward plane on their pitches and withstanding a heavy workload.  Since, Garcia is still only 19 years old, we will probably have to wait a couple years to see whether those problems affect him.  As mentioned throughout this series with most young pitchers, his changeup is a work in progress.  Lastly, his walk rate increased during his time with Pulaski.  The dip in control was likely due to fatigue at the end of a long season, but it is something to keep an eye on.

-2018 Outlook:  Garcia will likely start the year in extended spring training until Staten Island’s season begins in June.  As evidenced by his extremely high ranking, I think Deivi has a chance to be special, but I acknowledge that he is extremely raw.  Hopefully, he can build upon his 2017 success and continue to develop this season.

So that rounds out prospects 16-20. Check back in a couple of days for prospects 11-15.

If you have any questions, comments or criticisms feel free to reach out to me at mattlinder2@gmail.com