What’s left of the Yankees’ farm system?

The New York Yankees’ organization had a momentous finish to July. Not only did the team conclude the month with a 10 - 3 record and regain first place in the American League East, but the front office also engineered a strong trade deadline. General Manager Brian Cashman acquired two top relief pitchers in Tommy Kahnle and David Robertson, two starters with Jaime Garcia and near-ace Sonny Gray, plus Todd Frazier’s power bat.

For every piece gained, though, something must be lost. In each trade, the Yankees relinquished multiple prospects in order to win now. I am not here to rehash the deals above, but rather to simply evaluate the depth and strength of what remains of the Yankees’ farm system.

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Cashman’s nifty deadline dealings, turning vulnerabilities into strengths, have elated Yankees fans. I believe New York was on the better end of all three major trades that they executed. They did, however, lose some top, young talent in the process. Using John Sickel’s pre-season list, the Bombers traded away several of their prospects. Blake Rutherford, Jorge Mateo, James Kaprelian, Dustin Fowler, Ian Clarkin, and Dietrich Enns all made his top 20 organizational ranking.

But the farm system remains loaded with numerous top 100 prospects. There are also lottery tickets and short-term fill-ins. In short, the Yankees could afford to deal a number of high-profile youngsters without sacrificing the future.

In terms of MLB.com’s Top 100 Prospect Watch, the Yankees still have at least five elite prospects. This includes Gleyber Torres, Clint Frazier, Chance Adams, Estevan Florial, and Justus Sheffield. Torres, Frazier, Adams, and Florial have star potential, while Sheffield could be a very solid number three starter.

Beyond the headliners, New York has a number of lottery ticket, long shot prospects remaining in the system. Domingo Acevedo is a name to watch. The right-hander owns a 3.28 ERA and 9.53 K/9 across three levels this year, ranks eighth on both MLB.com’s and Sickel’s lists, and throws a fastball between 95 - 100 mph. Freicer Perez, number 12 on MLB’s list, is a 6’8” hurler with a similar repertoire. You can read my scouting report on Acevedo here and Perez here.

Miguel Andujar ranks in the top 11 on both lists and is currently hitting .330 in Triple-A. At 21 years old, Jorge Guzman can throw up to 103 MPH and owns a 2.09 ERA for Low-A Staten Island. Dillon Tate and Billy McKinney have upside as former first round picks posting above-average seasons. The list above does not include, moreover, the talented group New York selected in this June’s draft.

Finally, Cashman kept some less flashy, low-ceiling but high-floor players that help round out the system. Guys like Tyler Wade, Ben Heller, Nick Solak, Jake Cave, Hoy Jun Park, and Domingo German give the Yankees near major-league-ready depth in case of emergency.

The Yankees may no longer have the number one farm system in baseball, but most of that has nothing to do with their recent trades. The graduation of Gary Sanchez, Luis Severino, Aaron Judge, and Jordan Montgomery diminished the rankings, even though it dramatically improved the major league club.

Still, even with these graduations and win-now moves, the Yankees have a top-five minor league system. Their organization remains loaded with at least four star-studded prospects, who are complemented by breakout, fast-rising talent, and future utility players and relief arms. Down on the farm, the future continues to look bright.