Welcome To The Farm (Episode 1)
Welcome to the first edition of “Welcome To The Farm”. This series will cover updates, news and injury reports, and everything else needed regarding the New York Yankees’ minor league prospects. The goal of this series is to prepare ourselves for the next wave of Yankees.
Good afternoon and welcome to the inaugural episode of “Welcome To The Farm”. I am here to educate Yankees fans (like myself) about Baby Bombers to watch. During this episode we will discuss our pitching prospects.
Three days ago, starting pitcher James Kaprielian opted to undergo Tommy John surgery to repair a flexor tendon strain in his right elbow. The season-ending surgery will raise question marks for the 23 year old UCLA graduate as the procedure is notorious for its unpredictable affects; there are a myriad of careers that were either heavily enhanced (see: John Smoltz and Josh Johnson) or destroyed (see: Kerry Woods and Scott Williamson). Kaprielian (ranked 74th on 2017 Prospect Watch’s top 100 list) throws a fastball that zips at 99 Miles Per Hour and a devastating slider that slides at 90 mph. The lost of the 6'4 righty is a downer for the Yankees as projected a short stay in the minor leagues for him. However, two pitchers have instilled confidence in the Yankees organizations with their hot starts to the season.
22 year old, Chance Adams (2–0), of the Trenton Thunder (AA) wowed scouts and coaches with his two starts of the young season. In 11.1 innings pitched, Adams allowed one run on four hits while striking out 13. Hitherto, Adams’ best start came on April 8th against the Erie SeaWolves. In 5.2 innings Adams efficiently shut down a lineup that included outfielder Christian Stewart, the Detroit Tigers #2 prospect, with only 85 pitches. He struck out five hitters without allowing a single hit en route to his first win of 2017. Scouts project Adams’ ETA to the Bronx will be sometime this season and it looks like he may not come alone.
Alongside Adams, starting pitcher, Justus Sheffield (1–0) co-works the Trenton Thunder rotation. In his only start of 2017, Sheffield threw 5.2 innings while allowing two hits and striking out six. The 5'11 southpaw throws a fastball that can reach 96 mph, a hard slider and a change up that needs work. While Kaprielian’s injury hurts the Yankees’, Sheffield and Adams are inspiring confidence that they can make a run at the big league rotation.
Justus Sheffield is the seventh top prospect in the New York Yankees minor league organization and Chance Adams quickly trails him at number eight. Their young dominance has heads spinning as starting pitching is a main concern for the New York Yankees.
