As we move into the second half of the season, minor league prospects come increasingly into focus due to the trade deadline and September call-ups. Here are some Yankees minor league players worth highlighting thanks to their recent performances.
Jake Cave, OF, Trenton (AA): The 22 year-old Cave represented the Thunder at the Eastern League All-Star Game. Cave put up a 7-game hitting streak before the break, going 12-33 (.364 BA) with 8 RBI, 8 R, and 1 SB over that span. This is an improvement over his still-impressive season stats, as he’s been batting .271 with 2 HR, 30 RBI, 49 R, 12 SBs, and a .343 OBP in 354 AB’s through Saturday. Cave has developed well since being selected in the 6th round of the 2011 draft out of high school. He’s definitely a decent hitter and has enough speed to play and stay in center field. His power hitting may still develop, since he does have 18 extra-base hits so far this season, and he could have the potential to hit 10-15 HR’s in a given year. He still has to work on hitting lefties, however, as he’s hit .207 against southpaws while hitting .290 vs. righties. It would be a surprise to see Cave up in September this season, but he may have a shot of appearing in a big league game next season.
Greg Bird, 1B, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (AAA): Of all the players on this week’s list, Bird has the best chance to appear with the big club in 2015, although it would still be unsurprising to see the Yankees wait on calling him up until 2016. The Yankees view Bird very favorably and are reportedly hesitant to include him in any trades. Bird is currently doing what he can to prove them right, as despite a .234 average in 12 games since being called up to AAA, Bird has gotten a hit in 10 games. That included a game last Sunday in which Bird went 2-3 with a home run, 4 RBI, and 2 walks. Bird shows good plate discipline, having struck out only 41 times while drawing 29 walks in 229 at bats. Bird is not without significant issues, however. His defense is lacking as of now and his long swing means he may struggle to hit for a high average. If he can learn to hit lefties a bit better and improve his in-game power stroke, he could eventually put up similar stat lines to those Mark Teixeira has put up in recent years.
Kolton Mahoney, P, Staten Island (Short-Season A): In just his 4th professional appearance and 2nd career start Wednesday, this year’s 16th round pick out of BYU fired 6 shutout innings, scattering just 4 hits and allowing 1 walk while striking out 7 against Brooklyn. Mahoney works with four pitches including a mid-90’s fastball and a late-breaking slider. The 23 year-old has good strikeout potential, as he tied for the most strikeouts in last year’s Cape Cod summer collegiate league and already has 16 K’s in just 13 2/3 innings. Given his collegiate experience and skill, expect him to move quickly through the system.
Hoy Jun Park, SS, Pulaski (Rookie): It’s never to early to highlight a particularly good young talent. Park is just 19 and getting his first American professional experience this season after signing the South Korean as an international free agent last summer with a bonus exceeding $1 million. Through Saturday, Park is hitting .269, but also has a .370 OBP, 15 R, 2 HR, 11 RBI, and 8 steals in just 78 at bats. Park’s defense is an issue, as he made 5 errors in his first 20 games, but Park has impressed on the base paths (6 steals in his last 10 games) and with his plate discipline (11 walks so far.) Overall, Park has done pretty well for someone likely still adjusting to life in the US. It may not be until at least 2018 until you see Park in the Bronx, but he’s definitely someone to keep an eye on.
