Starting spots for Yankees' Top 30 prospects

April 3rd, 2019

With the 2019 Minor League Baseball season getting underway, here's a look at where the Yankees' Top 30 prospects are starting the year. We also identify the prospect who just missed the Top 30 list, a player who didn't make the big league Opening Day roster but should make an impact this year, a prospect who is ready to break out in 2019 and the team's best defensive prospect.

  1. Estevan Florial (MLB No. 56), OF -- Tampa Tarpons (A Adv) -- IL
  2. Jonathan Loaisiga (MLB No. 65), RHP -- New York Yankees (MLB)
  3. Albert Abreu, RHP -- Trenton Thunder (AA)
  4. Deivi Garcia, RHP -- Tampa Tarpons (A Adv)
  5. Clarke Schmidt, RHP -- Tampa Tarpons (A Adv)
  6. Anthony Seigler, C -- Extended spring training
  7. Everson Pereira, OF -- Extended spring training
  8. Trevor Stephan, RHP -- Trenton Thunder (AA)
  9. Antonio Cabello, OF -- Extended spring training
  10. Roansy Contreras, RHP -- Charleston RiverDogs (A)
  11. Nick Nelson, RHP -- Trenton Thunder (AA)
  12. Michael King, RHP -- Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (AAA) -- IL
  13. Luis Gil, RHP -- Charleston RiverDogs (A)
  14. Luis Medina, RHP -- Charleston RiverDogs (A)
  15. Josh Breaux, C -- Charleston RiverDogs (A)
  16. Garrett Whitlock, RHP -- Trenton Thunder (AA)
  17. Matt Sauer, RHP -- Charleston RiverDogs (A)
  18. Osiel Rodriguez, RHP -- Extended spring training
  19. Thairo Estrada, SS/2B -- New York Yankees (MLB)
  20. Chance Adams, RHP -- Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (AAA)
  21. Frank German, RHP -- Extended spring training -- rehab
  22. Anthony Garcia, OF -- Extended spring training
  23. Domingo Acevedo, RHP -- Trenton Thunder (AA)
  24. Ryder Green, OF -- Extended spring training
  25. Josh Stowers, OF -- Charleston RiverDogs (A)
  26. Glenn Otto, RHP -- Tampa Tarpons (A Adv)
  27. Yoendrys Gomez, RHP -- Extended spring training
  28. Juan Then, RHP -- Extended spring training
  29. Tanner Myatt, RHP -- Charleston RiverDogs (A)
  30. Harold Cortijo, RHP -- Extended spring training
    Complete list »

Just missed Top 30: Joe Harvey
One of many Yankees pitching prospects who has added velocity since turning pro, Harvey had a low-90s fastball when he came out of Pittsburgh as a redshirt junior in 2014 and now works in the mid-90s and can reach 99 mph. Using a hard curveball as his second pitch, he posted a 1.67 ERA, .165 opponent average and 68 strikeouts in 59 1/3 innings (mostly in Triple-A) last year.

On the shelf: Estevan Florial
Florial, New York's top prospect, is on Tampa's injury list after breaking his right wrist crashing into the center-field wall during Spring Training. Right-hander Michael King is on Scranton/Wilkes-Barre's IL after getting diagnosed with a stress reaction in his elbow in March. Righty Frank German came down with some mild elbow discomfort last week and will spend some time in extended spring training before joining a Class A affiliate.

Impact prospect: Jonathan Loaisiga
Loasiga made the jump from Double-A to the big leagues last year and he should be ready when, not if, there’s a need in New York. CC Sabathia is hurt to start the year, and Loaisiga should be the guy to take his turns for the time being. The right-hander has the stuff to succeed; it’s more a question of durability.

Breakout prospect: Deivi Garcia
Garcia is so polished that he finished his third professional season in Double-A at age 19. The Yankees love high spin rates, and he has them with his curveball and 91-96 mph fastball. He also shows promise with a fading changeup.

Best defensive prospect: Florial
Florial has some of the best all-around tools in the Minors, with well-above-average raw power, speed and arm strength. He continues to improve as a center fielder, projecting as a plus defender, and has an exceptionally strong arm for the position.