Your 2020 World Series Champions: The New York Yankees
For the seventh season in a row, the World Series trophy was not exulted down the Canyon Of Heroes. Another heartbreaking season, that failed the standards set by the New York Yankees organization and their fans. The architect of their past five World Series rosters, General Manager Brian Cashman, got fed up and decided to turn things around. So, this past season, Cashman became a Wall Street stock broker, dialing up every GM and conducting a flurry of transactions. While Cashman refused to admit he was rebuilding, his moves resembled those of a team who is building their way up. How else would you describe trading away three of your stars in exchange for top prospects? For the first time since the Core Four, the Yankees fans, unlike those of the Red Sox, are able to look down and be satisfied with what they see. Over the past few seasons, Cashman has subtly built a strong farm system that symbolizes hope and a new era for the once great Yankees.
If you check Minor League Baseball’s Top 100 prospects, you’ll find a few future Pinstripers at the top of the list. The Yankees top prospect, Clint Frazier, resides at number 15. Frazier was acquired during last year’s trade deadline from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for All Star closer, Andrew Miller. He models his game after his favorite Yankee, Reggie Jackson, and just like Mr. October, Frazier commands the outfield with muscles sculpted from rock. Two years ago he was invited to the SirusXM All Star Futures Game, and scouts are saying he has the potential to be an All Star in the Majors. Frazier was not the only proficient prospect acquired by the Yankees before the deadline. Two spots below Frazier sits the deft infielder Gleyber Torres at number 17. Torres was acquired from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for All Star reliever Aroldis Chapman (who the Yankees signed back this offseason for a whopping 5 years/$86 million). At the time, Torres was the Cubs top prospect. His batting prowess combined with his speed indicate a promising sign for the Yankees in the future. Scouts are projecting he’ll smack 15–20 home runs. If you look right behind Torres, you’ll see Jorge Mateo, a Yankee-bred shortstop/second baseman. Mateo can do it all. He’s a promising speedy lead off man for the Yanks. While there will never be another Derek Jeter, Mateo has shown signs of potential that grant credence to those who have hailed him as the best Yankee infielder since the Great One. His glove range and speed allow him to cover the entire infield. In the Minor Leagues, he had an 83% success rate for stolen bases, swiping 36. After unloading Miller and Chapman, Cashman sealed the “rebuilding” stamp on the envelope when he gave up one of the Yankees’ few 2016 All Stars, Carlos Beltran to the Texas Rangers. In exchange for the outfielder, the Yankees received three high prospects including the 4th overall pick in the 2015 draft, pitcher Dillion Tate. Tate, the Yankees 11th highest prospect, totes a killer 98 mph fastball and a slider that glides like a ballerina. His quick delivery and great pitches struck out 70 batters in only 82.1 innings. However, he’s struggling to meet his expectations so far with an ERA that ballooned up to 4.70 and only going 4–3 this past season in the minors. This promising trio of Frazier, Torres, and Mateo will join a few other recently-minted Yankees and are ready to take the next step towards 28.
Last season, the Yankees called up rookie catcher Gary Sanchez who was not afraid of the New York spotlight. He quickly swatted 20 home runs with a .300 batting average en route to a legendary rookie season. Sanchez is looking forward to a sophomore season that will hopefully produce similar stats. In addition to Sanchez, the Yankees’ middle field is already stocked with an exciting duo: Didi Gregorius, another young player the Yankees traded for. In 2014, in a three-team trade involving the Detroit Tigers and Arizona Diamondbacks, the Yankees received Didi Gregorius. Didi’s partner in crime, Starlin Castro was also another prospect, who, like Torres was acquired from the Cubs. This dynamic duo lead the Yankees in hits, RBI’s, home runs, and batting average. Last, but not least, the oldest youngster in the Bronx, Greg Bird. Bird had a promising showing in his rookie season back in 2015. In only 46 games he smacked 11 home runs while producing a .261 batting average. However, last offseason Bird sustained a nasty shoulder injury that derailed his 2016 campaign. Bird hopes to come back strong and continue his dominant play during the 2017 season.
This bright future is filled with questions. What will we see in a few years? Will Gary Sanchez continue his dominance? Will Greg Bird be able to play the same way? Will Frazier, Torres, and Mateo live up to their potential? There’s no way to answer right now, but all signs point to yes, yes and yes. In addition to all of this, there’s much talk about All Star Bryce Harper signing with the Yankees in 2018. We’ll just have to wait and see. For the first time in a while, I can honestly say that I’m excited to watch the Yankees this upcoming season.
