With Torres gone, Double-A Trenton has a new prospect to boast about

Thairo Estrada has hit .333 in 39 games with Double-A Trenton this season (Photo By: Martin Griff)

For seven weeks, the Yankees' prospect spotlight beamed down on touted infielder Gleyber Torres, who was just recently promoted from Double-A Trenton to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. While the 20-year-old will continue to garner much attention from fans and analysts at the next level, Trenton is now left to search for a new leading man. But, that player can be found at shortstop, too. And believe it or not, he's well-deserving of the spotlight.

Thairo Estrada is playing in his first Double-A season, and although he's not a household name in the organization, the 21-year-old won't remain under the radar much longer. In 39 games -- primarily hitting out of the Thunder's leadoff spot -- Estrada has hit .333 (141 ABs) with seven doubles, two home runs, 19 walks and 12 RBI. Based on those numbers alone, one could make the argument that Estrada has been more productive than Torres since Opening Day, and much like the Yankees' top farmhand, Estrada is also capable of playing across the infield at different positions. 

Estrada's spring has been so impressive, that MLB.com has placed him in their Top-30 Prospects list. So, where did he come from?

In 2012, Estrada -- a native of Venezuela -- was signed as a part of the Yankees' international signing class, and as a 17 and 18-year-old, he played in the Gulf Coast League and New York-Penn League (Staten Island). Last season, he spent time between High-A Tampa and Low-A Charleston, hitting a combined .290/.346/.391 with eight homers and 49 RBI in 118 games. With a hot bat and defensive versatility, Estrada received the Double-A promotion this year, and so far, he's proved that he belongs. 

“It’s not like we’re surprised by his level of success, but maybe the level of success he’s had right now,” Yankees VP of player development Gary Denbo told The Trentonian. “He’s developed very well and put himself on the map as one of our best infield prospects.”

Trenton manager Bobby Mitchell is also singing Estrada's praises.

“He hits the ball the other way a lot on a line and guys like that aren’t going to hit a lot of fly ball outs,” Mitchell said. “He wears right-center out a lot. I think that approach on fastballs keeps him on breaking balls that he’s able to keep back. When there’s a guy on third with less than two outs, I don’t think there’s a guy on the team I’d rather have up because he puts the ball in play all the time."

This past winter, Estrada was invited to the Yankees' Captain's Camp, a program which included only eight prospects, including Tyler Austin, Luis Severino, and Blake Rutherford. According to Denbo, the camp, "is about developing good men that will become the leaders of our future championship teams."

According to the Trentonian, Estrada's experience in the camp was a catalyst to his spring surge. 

“It helped me to start the year off by getting some early work in and learn a lot from some of the guys who were there,” Estrada said via his translator. “It helped me get off to a great start this year. I just keep with my routine and keep a positive mental state just so I can keep doing what I’m doing. The work that I keep putting in is ultimately going to pay off.”

Across the Yankees' farm, the crop of middle infielders is plentiful, and based on the recent success of Didi Gregorius and Starlin Castro, most of these prospects won't be major league time. But for Estrada, his focus is on Trenton, and now with Torres gone, he's worthy of being in charge.

If you want to connect with Tom Hanslin, email him at thanslin@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @tomhanslin.