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With the Hall of Fame announcement in the rear-view, prospect ranking season gets into full swing. Yesterday we learned that the Yankees would have no prospects on Baseball America’s Top 100 list. Baseball Prospectus, meanwhile, released their Top 101 prospects list today, and two Yankees made the cut.
Jonathan Loaisiga checks in at number 64. The right-hander made his major league debut last season, pitching to a 5.11 ERA (3.53 FIP). A few rough appearances out of the bullpen in September hampered his numbers. In four starts with the Bombers, the 24-year-old managed a 3.00 ERA with a 2.88 FIP. He displayed strikeout stuff (10.50 K/9) but walked a few too many batters (4.00 BB/9). Scouts graded his control as fine, so attribute the walks to the jump to the big leagues straight from Double-A.
Loaisiga’s talent has never come into question. He has MLB-ready stuff. The control, in theory, should also improve with more innings. The biggest hurdle, of course, has been his health. The right-hander has a lengthy injury history, including missing significant time in 2018 with shoulder inflammation. If he can stay off the disabled list, however, he should see some action in the Bronx in 2019.
Estevan Florial follows not far behind, claiming the number 66 spot. Florial has upside as a center fielder with electric tools. Yankees fans have long heard the organization heap praise on to him, going so far as to refuse to include him in trade packages. As noted yesterday, Florial hit .255/.354/.361 with three homers in an injury-shortened 2018 campaign. He had a rough go of things in the Arizona Fall League, but that’s more about shaking off rust than anything. The folks at Baseball Prospectus seem more interested in his tools and profile than his down year.
More prospect lists will emerge in the coming days. For now, it’s interesting to see the divergence of opinions between Baseball America and Baseball Prospectus. What do you make of today’s rankings? Let us know in the comment section.