The New York Yankees were decimated by injuries this year, though it did allow them to set a new franchise record by using 56 different players.
Things went just as poorly for the Yankees’ top prospects down on the farm. Two of the organization’s more promising young arms, Manny Banuelos and Ty Hensley, didn’t throw a pitch and missed the entire year with respective injuries.
However, they did receive breakthrough performances from right-hander Jose Ramirez, who boasts the best pure stuff in the system but has struggled to stay healthy, and catcher J.R. Murphy, who ultimately reached the major leagues as a September call-up.
As for well-known position prospects Tyler Austin, Slade Heathcott, Gary Sanchez and Mason Williams, well, they were reunited at Double-A Trenton during the second half of the regular season, though none of them fared particularly well at the more advanced level.
In fact, if anything, they regressed, both individually and collectively. To make matters worse, Heathcott and Austin both spent significant time on the disabled list.
Thankfully, the Yankees received a nice haul in the 2013 draft, thanks to three first-round picks, as they selected third baseman Eric Jagielo, outfielder Aaron Judge and left-hander Ian Clarkin. However, the organization still has a ways to go in terms of boasting a top-ranked farm system.
Here’s a look at the New York Yankees’ top 10 prospects for the 2014 season.