Article:Pinstripe Pulse: New York Yankees 2008 Top Ten Prospects

Brian Cashman has said within two years the Yankees will be pitching dominant, and you know what? The dude may just have a point.


 * 1) Joba Chamberlain, 22, RHP, first round supplemental, 2006

Plus stuff, with 70 ratings on his fastball, curve and slider. Needs to develop change to be consistently effective. Struggles with control at times, especially off fastball. Good competitor. Chamberlain has a "bad body," he needs to workout twice as hard as everyone else for the same results. Yankees are concerned any serious injury or a series of nagging injuries could cause a more permanent injury to his arm. Most of his college and pro injuries, (knee, hamstring and triceps) are as a result of losing control of his weight and a subsequent change in his windup or delivery. Will likely always have stamina and durability concerns, Yankees will have him on an innings cap (170) in 2008. If he can remain focused on his workouts and weight control, Chamberlain could have a long career with multiple All-Star appearances, if he cannot, then he projects to the bullpen role he filled last season. In New York's 2008 rotation.


 * 2) Austin Jackson, 20, righthanded hitting and throwing outfielder, 8th round, 2005

High School All-American basketball player, turned down a full schlarship to Georgia Tech to sign with Yankees. Number two prospect in Hawaiian Winter League following 2007 season. Best athlete in system. Quick bat, power to all fields, does at times get a little pull happy. Above average range and arm in CF, good speed. Double A in 2008.


 * 3) Jose Tabata, 19, righthanded hitting and throwing outfielder, free agent, 2005

Signed at age 16. Has struggled since hand injury suffered in July, '06. Had surgery in August to remove hamate bone from right hand. Average speed, average defensively although has a strong arm. Good average hitter, Yankees are concerned about his lack of power. Initially projected as a .300 hitter with 30/30 hitter, Yanks now admit Tabata likely won't reach that level of production. Double A in 2008.


 * 4) Ian Kennedy, 23, RHP, first round, 2006

Third overall in 2007 among all minor league pitchers in ERA (1.51). Left off the Yanks postseason roster because of a back strain. Rates plus in mound presence, command and mechanics. Best changeup in system, fastball, curve and slider all ML average. With his best pitch off-speed, Kennedy has to concentrate on every pitch, has been compared to Greg Maddux in that regard. Losing focus usually results in getting hit hard but unlike most inexperience pitchers Kennedy recovers quickly. In New York's 2008 rotation.


 * 5) Alan Horne, 24, RHP, 11th round, 2005

Cleveland's first round pick in 2001, chose college over signing. Had Tommy John surgery in college. Led Eastern League in ERA (3.11), and strikeouts (163). Individually, his four pitches all rate as average/plus, fastball, curve, slider and change). Together he battles inconsistency due to a long arm slot which causes a non-repeating delivery and release point. Yankees feel command issues a residual effect from his previous elbow injury. Horne does not hold runners well and is a poor fielder. Has the stuff to be a #1 starter, will go only as far as his command takes him. Triple A in 2008.


 * 6) Jesus Montero, 18, righthanded hitting catcher, free agent, 2006

Good eye for a young player, plus power to all fields with good bat speed. At 6'4", 225, Montero is close to outgrowing his position. Poor record of throwing out base stealers (3-32), although Montero moves well behind the plate and has a strong arm. Yankees impressed with his personality, not afraid to speak his mind despite a language barrier. He will remain a catcher for now and will start 2008 at Low Class A.


 * 7) Jeff Marquez, 23, RHP, first round supplemental, 2004

Led Eastern League in wins (15) and finished second in innings (155). Best pitch is a plus sinker to go along with an average fastball which has good movement. Improving curve and change, both now grade as average. Best pickoff move in system. A groundball pitcher, Marquez relies on his defense more than others. Triple A in 2008.


 * 8) Brett Gardner, lefthanded hitting and throwing outfielder, third round, 2005

Reached Triple A in his second full season. Comparable game to Boston's Jacoby Ellsbury. Missed a month with a broken hand. Sent to the Arizona Fall League to makeup the lost AB's, Gardner surprised the Yankees by hitting .343 and leading the league with 16 stolen bases. Fastest runner in system, uses speed well in CF, covers both gaps equally well. A slap and bunt type offensive player with zero power potential, struggles against lefty pitchers and arm is below average. Opinions are mixed on whether Gardner will hit enough to be a regular player at the ML level. Triple A to start in 2008.


 * 9) Ross Ohlendorf, 25, RHP, fourth round, 2004.

Acquired from Arizona Diamondbacks in the Randy Johnson trade. Struggled in his first few starts after the trade. Spent two months on the DL with a back injury. Upon returning was moved to the bullpen, adapted to the change so quickly was included on the Yankees postseason roster. A finesse pitcher as a starter, Ohlendorf became a power pitcher as a reliever, showing a 96 mph fastball and a plus slider. A below average, but improving, change. Is also working on a split. Will assume Joba Chamberlain's bullpen spot in 2008.


 * 10) Andrew Brackman, 22, RHP, first round, 2007

A former basketball player at North Carolina State, Brackman stands 6'10", 240. Had Tommy John surgery in August and won't pitch again until 2009. A power pitcher before the surgery, Brackman's fastball had been clocked as high as 99 mph, with a plus curve and improving change. Has the competitive edge to work hard and recover fully, Yanks hope he regains his pre-surgery form, where he had #1 starter potential.


 * Kelsdad provides the Minor League Prospect Reports exclusively for ArmchairGM

Rankings by Baseball America, contributing text by John Manuel

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