On another cold, gray January day, what better way to look ahead to spring training than to take a quick glance at the top prospects in the Yankees' system, according to Hardball Times? (the rankings were made before New York traded pitcher Arodys Vizcaino and outfielder Austin Jackson in its two offseason deals):
1. Jesus Montero: Possibly the best catching prospect in the minor leagues, the 20-year-old could be Jorge Posada's heir apparent, although he may not stay behind the plate. He batted .317 with nine homers and 19 RBI in 44 games after making the jump to Class AA last year, and is solidly built at 6-4, 225 pounds.
2. Manuel Banuelos: Banuelos, who doesn't turn 19 until March, has impressed with his maturity level at such a young age and has been projected as a possible ace down the road. The 5-10, 155-pound lefthander spent 2009 at Class A Charleston, posting a 9-5 record with a 2.67 ERA along with 104 strikeouts in 108 innings.
3. Jairo Heredia: The 20-year-old Dominican Republic native battled injuries for most of the 2009 season, but will make the jump to Class AA in 2010. His fastball has been clocked in the mid-90s.
4. Austin Romine: The 20-year-old has been projected as the Yankees' catcher of the future, but may still
need some work with the bat (.276 last season at Tampa of the Advanced Class A Florida State League).
5. Kelvin De Leon: Another Dominican, the 19-year-old De Leon is a few years away, as he got his first taste of minor league ball in 2009 in the rookie Gulf Coast League, batting .269 in 63 games.
6. Slade Heathcott: A five-tool player who hits from the left side, the Texas native was the Yankees'
first-round pick out of high school last year, but is probably two or three years away from advancing up the system. He signed a $2.2 million bonus.
7. Arodys Vizcaino: He is, of course, no longer in the Yankees' system after being dealt to the Braves in the Javier Vazquez trade.
8. D.J. Mitchell: Drafted in the 10th round out of Clemson in 2008, Mitchell displays solid command of his pitches. In his first minor league last season, he surrendered only two home runs in 140 1/3 innings. That's impressive on any level.
9. Austin Jackson: Jackson didn't develop as quickly as the Yankees thought, and they used the outfielder as trade bait in the Curtis Granderson trade.
10. Zach McAllister: Entering his fifth season in the Yankees' system, the 6-6, 230-pound righthander showed promise at Class AA Trenton last year, going 7-5 with a 2.23 ERA in 22 starts. He could make the jump to Class AAA in 2010, and the Yankees project him as a back-of-the-rotation starter.
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