With most top prospects already called up and the minor league season coming to a close this weekend, this will be the final Yankees minor league update of the regular season. With that in mind, we take a look at a few prospects at AAA who may be facing their last chance to make an impact in the Yankees organization next season, as well as a pair of younger prospects who may be looking forward to bright futures in the seasons ahead.
Cito Culver– SS- Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (AAA)- It’s been a long season and a generally lengthy progression for the Yankees 1st rounder in the 2010 draft. Now 23, Culver suffered through a season-long slump with Trenton, hitting for an AVG/OBP/SLG triple slash line of .199/.249/.279 with only 3 HR’s, 22 RBI, 8 SB’s, and a 92:22 K:BB ratio in 362 at bats. Due to September roster expansion, Culver is now receiving a shot in AAA, and compiled a brief three game hit streak this past week, which included a four-hit game on Thursday night in which the shortstop also drove in a run. Culver had generally been heating up prior to the callup, as he had hits in four of his last six games for Trenton, including two multi-hit games. Culver has not really met the high expectations that came with his first round selection, but he is still just 23 despite the fact that he will be completing his sixth season in the minor leagues. He still has some of the raw tools to succeed but has just not succeeded in putting it all together as of yet. Next year will likely be a make-or-break season for Culver, as he will be able to be a minor league free agent after next season assuming he is not called up before then.
Rob Segedin– 3B/1B- Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (AAA)- The 26 year-old has hit well as of late, including an impressive span between August 25th and September 3rd where Segedin went 11-33 with 2 HR’s and 8 RBI. The Tulane product spent most of his time with the RailRiders this season, putting up a .289 average and .349 OBP to go with 4 home runs, 15 RBI, and 24 runs scored in just 153 at bats entering Saturday. He had been sent down to Trenton earlier this season and remained down there until a September 1 callup to AAA, but raked to the tune of a .303 average and an .828 OPS in 25 games, showing decent power with 3 HR’s and good discipline with a 17:11 K:BB ratio. With Segedin, much like with his fellow 2010 draft pick Cito Culver, the clock is ticking on a chance to make the most out of the opportunity, perhaps even more so considering Segedin is three years older. He has lost games in two of the last three seasons due to injury, but still hits well and plays satisfactory defense (only 4 errors in 62 games,) so he may be able to squeeze his way onto the roster at some point next season if he succeeds, at the very least as someone who can spell the big club’s veteran corner infielders when off days are needed.
Chaz Hebert– SP- Tampa (High-A)- Hebert, a former 27th round pick in 2011, has worked his way up to High-A Tampa and put up a dominant season. In 25 total games (including two starts each for Low-A Charleston and AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre), Hebert put up a 2.59 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP with 104 strikeouts in 129 innings pitched. In Tampa, he pitched to a 2.95 ERA backed up by a 3.26 FIP and has generally kept a good FIP across all levels, indicating that his career 3.11 ERA across his minor league career accurately represents his pitching performance. In his last four starts, the Louisiana native has allowed just two runs over twenty-six innings, scattering 18 hits and allowing no walks in that span while striking out 24 batters. Hebert works from an arsenal of four pitches, including a cutter, a two-seam fastball, a changeup, and a curveball. He just turned 23 on Friday, so he is not too far behind in his development. Next year offers a lot of promise for Hebert, and although he likely would not make his debut even next season, he could be an early candidate to be a breakout prospect and a big riser in the Yankees’ organizational ranks next season.
Domingo Acevedo– SP- Staten Island (Short-Season A)- The 21 year-old, pictured above, has put up an impressive stretch for Staten Island, allowing just two runs in his last four starts. In that span, Acevedo has gone 3-0 with a 0.77 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 23 1/3 innings, allowing 12 hits and 6 walks in that span. Overall on the season, Acevedo has a 1.69 ERA, a 1.08 WHIP, and a 9.94 K/9 rate in 11 starts for the Yankees’ New York-Penn League affiliate. With 15 walks in 48 innings, Acevedo still has to work on his control, but he flashes some incredibly promising stuff. Listed at 6’7” and 190 lbs, the Dominican has put on some weight and resembles Michael Pineda both physically and in his delivery. He has a fastball can touch 100 mph and also breaks inside to right-handers. His slider is still in development and sits in the low 80’s, but could develop into a plus pitch if he can keep it down in the zone. He also offers a changeup that sits in the mid-80’s and will need some work. With three pitches, some serious velocity, and improving control, Acevedo has a chance to stick as a starter with some development, but if he cannot reach the major leagues that way, he could turn into a dominant reliever in the mold of Dellin Betances.
Photo via Robert M. Pimpsner and PinstripedProspects.com.
