The New York Yankees organization announced that they have suspended one of their top prospects for two weeks for “violation of team policy.”
SS Jorge Mateo has been suspended for two weeks by the Yankees for violation of team policy. He will not participate in the Futures Game.
— Mark Feinsand (@FeinsandNYDN) July 6, 2016
According to multiple reports, Jorge Mateo, who many regard as the Yankees’ most talented prospect, was frustrated after he wasn’t promoted from Single-A Tampa to Double-A Trenton. When the organization made promotions earlier in the week, Mateo expressed his frustration with team management, which is believed to be why he was suspended.
After hitting .337 in April, there was speculation that the team would promote Mateo sometime around the All-Star break, but the talks were delayed after the speedy shortstop started struggling offensively in the month of June.Â
Mateo is ranked as the Yankees No. 1 prospect by Baseball America, and No. 2 prospect by MLB Pipeline. In 76 games so far this season, Mateo has posted a slash line of .266/.323/.396, and is second in the Florida State League with 26 stolen bases. The 21-year-old was signed in January 2012 as an international free agent out of the Dominican RepublicÂ
Due to his suspension, Mateo will not take part in the MLB Futures Game, which will take place on Sunday in San Diego. New York Mets shortstop prospect Amed Rosario was selected to replace Mateo on the roster.
It will be interesting to see how the Yankees handle their top prospect once he returns from his suspension. The organization sees him as a future big league player, and they hope that Mateo will learn from this situation moving forward.
