As America celebrates its 240th birthday Monday, we continue to bring you details on some significantly younger prospects in the Yankees system. The Yankees’ minor league system has had an eventful week, as shortstop Jorge Mateo and catcher Gary Sanchez earned selections to next Sunday’s MLB All-Star Futures Game. In addition, five members of the Trenton Thunder were selected to the Eastern League All-Star game, namely shortstop Tyler Wade, catcher Kyle Higashioka, pitchers Dietrich Enns and Jordan Montgomery, and outfielder Dustin Fowler, the latter two of whom will be profiled in more detail below. But before we get to them, let’s start with a prospect who has already made it to the major leagues.
Chad Green– SP- New York (MLB)- The 25 year-old Green started on Sunday for the big club, allowing just three hits and one run while striking out eight in six innings vs. the Padres. Green has fooled International League hitters down in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season, pitching to a 1.54 ERA in 14 starts and 81 2/3 innings pitched. Green’s broader statistical profile indicates that his performance has not been a fluke. He also has a 2.19 fielder-independent pitching number, a 0.98 WHIP, 82 strikeouts, and just 19 walks in AAA this season. Green induces a lot of ground balls with a sinker in the low 90s and also offers a biting slider in the mid-80s and a work-in-progress splitter. The Yankees have a tendency to help pitchers develop secondary pitches, and with the work he has put in, Green could provide some much needed back-end rotation help in the second half.
Dustin Fowler- OF- Trenton (AA)- Fowler earned his appearance in the Eastern League All Star game by batting .281 with three home runs, 43 RBI, and 16 stolen bases in 77 games this season. In his last ten games, the 21 year-old has stolen three bases and driven in 11 runs while batting .325 over that span. The Yankees’ 2013 18th round pick has an impressive set of tools despite a lack of home run power. He can hit for average and has great speed and good defensive instincts. Despite proof of Fowler’s success against high minors pitching, the Yankees likely want to see more progress from him, as he struggles to draw walks (13 in 310 at-bats) and needs to work on his efficiency on the base paths (his 16 steals came in 25 attempts). Still, Fowler has time thanks to his young age, and if he continues to put good work in, he has tools that could push him to the Bronx within a couple of years.
Jordan Montgomery- SP- Trenton (AA)- In another case of a well-deserved All-Star appearance, Montgomery has impressed this season, putting up a 2.69 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 80 1/3 innings. In two starts this past week, the 23 year-old lefty avoided giving up any earned runs in a combined 10 1/3 innings, also allowing just seven hits and two walks over that two-start span. Montgomery offers a fairly polished pitching repertoire, throwing a mid-90s fastball that has increased in velocity since his drafting in 2014, a plus changeup, as well as a curveball and a cutter. He profiles as a potential solid back-end starter, but if he can continue to refine his control and maintain his increased velocity, his upside could rise further.
Trey Amburgey– OF- Tampa (A-Advanced)- Amburgey, the Yankees’ 13th round pick in last year’s draft, earned his first call-up to Tampa on Sunday and has not debuted with his new club yet. Despite that, the 21 year-old has consistently hit well since joining the Yankees organization. Not considered much of a home run threat, Amburgey hit five home runs and hit for a .346 average with a .399 OBP, also stealing 21 stolen bases in 25 attempts in just 214 at-bats between the Gulf Coast League and short-season Staten Island last season. He followed up his stellar debut season by flying out of the gate with A-level Charleston to start 2016, hitting .281 with a .347 OBP, 10 RBI, and seven stolen bases in just 16 games before hitting the disabled list with an unspecified upper body injury. After a few games rehabbing in the GCL, he has now earned a call-up. He will need to work on improving his consistency in the outfield and he will look to continue his success in hitting for average and stealing bases. Scouts are mixed as to whether or not Amburgey could still tap into some raw power and become more of a home run hitter, but even if he does not, he still has the makings of a future top-tier Yankees prospect.
