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Brendan Kuty Matt Linder Now, it is time for the sixth and final installment of my Yankees Top 30 Prospect ranking, 1-5. Kim Klement 5. Chance Adams – SP -2017 Performance: Adams picked up last season where he left off in 2016.  He began the year in Double-A, posting a 1.03 ERA in 35 innings over 6 starts.  This display of dominance earned him a promotion to Scranton.  In Triple-A, he threw 115.1 innings with a 2.89 ERA and 103 Ks.  Despite Chance’s success last season, he did not get called-up to the majors at any point in 2017. -Strengths: There is a lot to like about Adams beyond the eye-popping stats.  He is able to control a mid-90s fastball that exhibits “explosive rise” according to Baseball Prospectus.  Due to Chance’s quick arm action, his slider has late-bite and is a true strikeout pitch.  Another plus with Adams is his injury history, or lack thereof.  His repeatable and smooth delivery might be one...

Brendan Kuty Matt Linder Now, it is time for the fifth installment of my Yankees Top 30 Prospect ranking, 6-10. Bill Mitchell 10. Dillon Tate – SP -2017 Performance: Tate rebounded nicely in his first full season with the Yankees organization after a difficult 2016.  He began the year in High-A, where he pitched 58.1 innings with a 2.62 ERA and a K/BB ratio of 46/15.  Dillon earned a promotion to Double-A for his final four starts.  With Trenton, he had a 3.24 ERA and a K/BB ratio of 17/9 across 25.0 innings. -Strengths: Tate possesses an arsenal of power stuff.  He uses a max-effort delivery to generate a mid-90s heater.  His slider is a true strikeout pitch.  It has tight spin, which produces late break and a lot of swings and misses.  Dillon’s third offering is his changeup.  On its best days, his changeup flashes plus potential with good diving action.  A three-pitch mix with two plus pitches an...

Brendan Kuty Matt Linder Now, it is time for the fourth installment of my Yankees Top 30 Prospect ranking, 11-15. Bobby McDuffie 15. Clarke Schmidt – SP Age: 21 -2017 Performance: Schmidt was drafted by the Yankees with the 16th overall pick in this year’s draft.  He is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery and did not pitch for the organization in 2017. -Strengths:  Clarke’s fastball-slider combo was lethal before hurting his elbow.  His heater runs in the mid-90s with heavy sinking action and he has the unique ability to vary the break on his slider.  Schmidt can sweep it left-to-right or tighten it to achieve later, sharper break.  Although his changeup is a distant third pitch, it showed signs of potential before he suffered the injury.  Lastly, Clarke has been praised for his attack-mode mentality, work ethic and makeup. -Weaknesses/Concerns:  There is only one place to begin… the surgery.  When talki...

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 cle...

Brendan Kuty Matt Linder Now, it is time for the second installment of my Yankees Top 30 Prospect Ranking, players 21-25. Zach Bland 25. Isiah Gilliam – OF   Age: 21 -2017 Performance: Gilliam had a breakout campaign this past season in Low-A Charleston.  He slashed an impressive .275/.356/.468 with 15 home runs in 125 games.  Additionally, Isiah was a year and a half younger than the average player in the South Atlantic League. -Strengths: Gilliam’s best tool is his power.  He does a good job staying behind the baseball and uses his great size – listed at 6’3” and 220lbs – to generate his plus raw power from both sides of the plate.  Although drafted as a first baseman, he was immediately moved to the outfield where he will not win any Gold Gloves, but he should be able to play either corner spot thanks to his slightly above average arm. -Weaknesses/Concerns: There is some length to Gilliam’s swing, which has made hi...

Brendan Kuty Matt Linder The NFL season concluded on Sunday, meaning it is officially baseball season!  Yankees pitchers and catchers report in less than a week.  To kick off the new season, I will release my ranking of the top 30 prospects within their organization.  Even after all of the trades at last season’s deadline and the graduation of top prospects to the major leagues, the farm system is still loaded with talent.  The current and future are both bright!  The plan for this “series” is to release my full ranking in groups of five, starting with 30-26. As a general disclaimer, the numerical ranking assigned to each player is less important than the accompanying scouting reports.  There is not a whole lot separating the 24th ranked prospect from the 30th or the 13th ranked prospect from the 18th.  It is a highly subjective process, in which no two rankings are the same.  That does not mean one is right and one is wrong; th...