In spring training we get to see some of the best and brightest minor league talent play on the same field at the same time, but what if we took it a step further and made a 25-man roster entirely out of Yankees prospects. What would that actually look like?
Before we get started, I decided to leave out any players who have already reached the majors, so even though John Ryan Murphy, Jose Ramirez, Bryan Mitchell, Chasen Shreve, and Jose Pirela could be on this team, I felt it was more fun to do away with them.
The starting rotation would obviously be led by Luis Severino as the staff ace. Ian Clarkin would probably be the second best pitcher on the team since many scouts view him as very advanced for his age. The recently acquired Domingo German would be a part of this team, and I decided to add Brady Lail based on the high praise he has been given so far. Ty Hensley would round out the rotation since he hasn't had a ton of time on the mound just yet, but the potential is still there.
Even if it's a bullpen comprised of just prospects, the corps of relievers could probably be very effective at the major league level right now. It's easy to appoint Jacob Lindgren as the team's closer, while making Tyler Webb and Nick Rumbelow his lefty/righty setup men for the late innings. To serve as the team's true LOOGY I have included James Pazos on the roster, while both Danny Burawa and Branden Pinder would be the middle relievers. Though he is a starter at the moment, Jaron Long will likely end up in the bullpen at the next level, and therefore, I have installed him on the roster as the team's longman.
The starting infield includes a lot of no-brainers: Gary Sanchez behind the plate, Greg Bird at first base, and Rob Refsnyder at second. Since there are very little internal options for third base, I put Eric Jagielo there almost by default. Determining who would play shortstop was ultimately the toughest decision, though. It would be easy to say Jorge Mateo, but since he missed most of the season, I decided to name Tyler Wade as my starting shortstop since he actually had the most successful season at the position. The starting outfield was another easy group to pick with Aaron Judge immediately getting the nod at right field. I found it entirely too easy to choose Jake Cave as my starting center fielder over Mason Williams, and since there aren't many prospects in the system that scream left field, I went with Ramon Flores.
Off the bench, I decided to include Cito Culver for his tremendous defense at shortstop (and hopefully second base as well). I know, I know, I left out Mateo completely, but he's so far away that it's hard to think he would be the most complete player available. Mason Williams could come off the bench to steal bases and play all three outfield positions–a role that is likely in his future at this point–and Tyler Austin could easily serve as the team's designated hitter as well as a first base/right field backup. The team's backup catcher would be Trent Garrison, who despite having very little fanfare attached to his name, has been impressive so far, and since Luis Torrens will miss the entire season, Garrison is kind of the best option. The last spot on the roster would go to Dante Bichette, who could get reps at DH, but also backup at third base and even first.
How do you feel about this team? Is this the best 25 players the team could throw out there for a game or does someone else make more sense?