N.Y. Yankees’ Top Under-the-Radar Pitching Prospects at Each Minor League Level
August 21, 2012 · James Morisette · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
Recently, Bleacher Report revealed top under-the-radar hitting prospects for the New York Yankees at each of its eight minor league levels.
This week, we will showcase some excellent—yet not so well-known pitching prospects in the Yankees system.
With a deep crop of pitching talent that New York boasts (to include Manny Banuelos and Delin Betances), Yankees fans should be nothing less than stoked.
Not to mention that the output by many non-drafted free-agent hurlers highlighted below points to a talented scouting department.
Note: Stats courtesy of MiLB.com and are current through August 20, 2012.
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (AAA)
Chase Whitley (RP)
| G | W | L | ERA | IP | H | ER | BB | SO | AVG | WHIP |
| 39 | 9 | 5 | 3.33 | 75.2 | 57 | 28 | 24 | 67 | .212 | 1.13 |
Analysis: A quick mover through the Yankees system, Whitley has been an ironclad reliever for SWB this year. The 24-year-old righty with a 6’3″, 215-pound frame has worked hard on his command (and his slider). From the looks of Whitley’s SO/BB, it looks like hard work by this 10th-round draft pick in 2010 is paying off.
Kelvin Perez (RP)
| G | W | L | ERA | IP | H | ER | BB | SO | AVG | WHIP |
| 44 | 7 | 1 | 1.03 | 79.0 | 52 | 9 | 38 | 70 | .181 | 1.13 |
Analysis: 26-year-old reliever Kelvin Perez is also worth mentioning. Like Whitley, this 2005 non-drafted free agent has worked hard to improve command. Since his Triple-A promotion on August 11, this EAS mid-season All-Star has gone 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA in 7.2 innings pitched with a BB/SO/BAA stat line of 3/10/.185.
Trenton Thunder (AA)
Brett Marshall (SP)
| GS | W | L | ERA | IP | H | ER | BB | SO | AVG | WHIP |
| 24 | 13 | 5 | 3.12 | 141.1 | 127 | 49 | 50 | 102 | .245 | 1.25 |
Analysis: Marshall, the Yankees’ 20th-rated prospect, might be the best-known of this bunch. A sixth-round pick in the 2008 MLB Draft, this 22-year-old right-hander has had an unworldly season at Double-A. Per the Yankees affiliates website, Tommy John surgery may have been a blessing in disguise for Marshall. This once power-focused pitcher has learned the importance of movement and changing speeds. Yet Marshall still has 102 strikeouts!
Keep a close eye on this 2012 EAS mid-season All-Star.
Tampa Yankees (A-Advanced)
Nik Turley (SP)
| G | W | L | ERA | IP | H | ER | BB | SO | AVG | WHIP |
| 20 | 8 | 8 | 2.83 | 98.2 | 83 | 31 | 40 | 104 | .229 | 1.25 |
Analysis: What is not to like about this imposing 6’6″, 230-pound left-handed fireballer? This 22-year-old has a power arm with good accuracy. Enjoying a breakout year, fans should be excited to watch this guy progress. Not too shabby for a 50th-round pick in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft (per MiLB.com).
Charleston RiverDogs (A)
Pedro Guerra (RP)
| G | W | L | ERA | IP | H | ER | BB | SO | AVG | WHIP |
| 31 | 4 | 1 | 1.76 | 51.0 | 32 | 10 | 15 | 53 | .179 | 0.92 |
Analysis: Yankees fans looking for a young, reliable reliever with good accuracy should look no further than 22-year-old righty Pedro Guerra. A 2006 non-drafted free agent by the Minnesota Twins, Guerra has had a spectacular season. Another EAS mid-season All-Star, Guerra is 1-0 with a 0.96 ERA in 18.2 innings pitched the last 10 outings. He also has 18 strikeouts to just four walks and a .149 BAA in this same stretch.
Staten Island (A-Short Season)
Dietrich Enns (RP)
| G | W | L | ERA | IP | H | ER | BB | SO | AVG | WHIP |
| 17 | 2 | 0 | 2.32 | 31.0 | 24 | 8 | 14 | 31 | .207 | 1.23 |
Analysis: If the Yankees had a weak link in its minor’s chain, it may be at Staten Island. Regardless, left-handed reliever Dietrich Enns has been solid in the NY Penn League in 2012. A 19th-round pick out of Central Michigan University in 2012, Enns has low-90s fastball. He also boasts a good curveball and change up and has learned to change speeds well. Still just 21, Enns has solid potential.
GCL Yankees
Cesar Vargas (R/RP)
| G | W | L | ERA | IP | H | ER | BB | SO | AVG | WHIP |
| 11 | 3 | 2 | 2.97 | 36.1 | 36 | 12 | 8 | 30 | .254 | 1.21 |
Analysis: Another solid relief pitcher for the Yankees. Another non-drafted free agent (2009). Go figure. This 20-year-old right-hander from Mexico has also been a great addition for the Yanks. While not dominating, Vargas is learning the art of changing speeds to get hitters out.
DSL Yankees 1
Jose De Paula (R/SP)
| GS | W | L | ERA | IP | H | ER | BB | SO | AVG | WHIP |
| 14 | 8 | 2 | 1.46 | 61.2 | 35 | 10 | 18 | 85 | .162 | 0.86 |
Analysis: This level of the Yankees minor league system is sick. Pitchers having terrific years at this level include Erick Canela (6-1, 1.27 ERA), Luis Severino (4-1, 1.53 ERA) and Daury Aquino (4-0, 1.94 ERA).Yet for all this wealth, nobody has been as impressive as De Paula. This 6’2″, 212-pound right-hander has been terrific this season. Like Turley, this guy has a strong arm with increasingly healthy command.
DSL Yankees 2
Chris Cabrera (SP)
| GS | W | L | ERA | IP | H | ER | BB | SO | AVG | WHIP |
| 13 | 5 | 4 | 3.06 | 53.0 | 33 | 18 | 27 | 46 | .178 | 1.13 |
Analysis: Last is 2009 non-drafted free-agent Chris Cabrera. While on the surface, this right-handed starter’s stats are not extraordinary, his AVG/WHIP numbers are pretty good. Still a raw talent, Cabrera has tremendous upside, and he is definitely worth tracking the next few years.
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