It’s been quite the week for some Yankees minor league prospects making it to the Show, as catcher Gary Sanchez and relievers Tyler Olson, Chad Green, and Conor Mullee all found their way to the major league roster at some point this week. Down on the farm, however, there still remain quite a few young potential future Yankees working their way to the majors. But before we get to the young guys, let’s start with an old favorite.
Nick Swisher– 1B- Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (AAA)- In case you haven’t heard, the former Yankee fan favorite outfielder signed a minor league deal with the Yankees earlier this season and is now back with the organization, albeit at first base in AAA. Swisher started with a fairly triumphant return, hitting three home runs and batting .306 in 16 games through May 3rd. Since then, however, he has entered a deep slump, going 6-39 (.154 BA) with four RBI and 15 strikeouts and no walks. Swisher may have been close to a call-up when his average was higher, but now it will take a bit of a recovery for him to find his way back to the Bronx, otherwise he may end up getting cut loose if he can’t find something resembling his former self.
Cesar Puello– OF- Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (AAA)- Puello, a 25 year-old outfielder, worked his way up through the Mets organization but joined the Yankees this year after the Mets released him late last season. Puello missed almost the entire 2015 season with a back injury, but is tearing up the International League to the tune of a .308 batting average and a remarkable .478 on-base percentage. He has slowed down a bit, hitting just .233 in his last ten games, and has struck out quite a bit, fanning 22 times in just 52 at-bats. Nevertheless, he still has drawn 11 walks and has demonstrated an ability to reach base so far this season. Puello has just two stolen bases, but has totaled double-digit steals at pretty much every stop in the minors and can definitely reach that total if he stays in Scranton this season. He may be a bit old to be a true “prospect,” but he could come up as a fourth outfielder later this season if he keeps this up.
Chance Adams– P- Tampa (A-Advanced)- Adams continued his dominant run in Tampa Friday night, allowing just four hits, one run, and one walk while striking out eight in 7 2/3 innings. He had a pair of rough outings in his first three starts, contributing to his 3.78 ER, but in his last four starts his ERA has been just 1.96 in 23 innings pitched. Overall, he has had a 1.11 WHIP, a .218 batting average against, 41 strikeouts, and 10 walks in 33 1/3 innings this year. Adams was a 5th round pick in last year’s draft, and the 21 year-old has moved quickly through the Yankees system. He was drafted as a reliever and reportedly dialed his fastball up to 99 mph in the bullpen for Staten Island last year, but presumably has been working in the low to mid-90s as a starter. He also mixes in a slider and has started to work in a changeup, so if he can develop three useable pitches, he may be able to develop as a starter. If that ultimately does not work out, he may have a quicker and likelier path to the majors as a reliever.
Caleb Frare– P- Tampa (A-Advanced)- Frare has tossed 14 2/3 scoreless innings in 11 appearances this season, allowing just four hits and striking out 19 batters. The 22 year-old has struck out at least one batter in all but one of his appearances this season, relying on a low-90s fastball with late break, and a slider and changeup which are still works in progress. His control also seems to be a work in progress, as he has walked nine batters already this season. Nevertheless, it’s still remarkable to see the lefty back on the mound, as he missed both the 2013 and 2014 seasons after having Tommy John surgery and getting hit by a car at 2014 Yankees spring training. For Frare to move up the Yankees system, he will need to continue striking out batters at a high rate and work on refining his control.
