Yankees place three prospects on MLB Pipeline’s top 100

On the baseball calendar, the end of January means it’s time for prospect ranking. Earlier in the week Baseball America unveiled their top 100 list. Baseball Prospectus reveals their top 101 prospects on Monday. Today it’s MLB Pipeline’s turn, and the Yankees placed three players on their list: Jasson Dominguez (54), Clarke Schmidt (88), and Deivi Garcia (92).

Dominguez led the way, a theme for this year’s rankings. The Yankees signed the 16-year-old back on July 2nd for $5.1 million. Nicknamed the Martian, he drew comps to some of the best players in the game, including Mike Trout. Consider what MLB Pipeline had to say about him shortly after his signing:

He’s a switch-hitter with easy bat speed and plenty of strength packed in his 5-foot-10 frame. He has a smooth swing from both sides of the plate as well as an advanced feel for hitting and a mature approach.

Dominguez also has huge upside out of the batter’s box. He’s a well above-average runner who could be a 30-30 threat while manning center field.

The MLB crew ranked him as the Yankees’ number two prospect following the 2019 season, but their top 100 ranking serves as a spoiler. He’ll take over the top spot when their team top 30 prospect lists come out soon.

Schmidt, 23, continues to see his stock rise. The Yankees selected the right-handed pitcher out of South Carolina in the first round of the 2017 MLB draft. Tommy John surgery delayed his pro debut, but he turned in an impressive 2019 campaign. The righty pitched to a 3.47 ERA (2.68 FIP) with a 19.7% K-BB rate across three levels. When healthy, he profiles as a mid-rotation starter with a capacity for inducing groundballs.

Garcia wraps up the Yankees’ representation on the list. The 20-year-old rapidly ascended through the Yankees’ system in 2019, moving from High-A Tampa all the way to Triple-A Scranton. The major-league ball used in the International League gave him some trouble, but he carved up batters with the Tarpons and Thunder. Here’s what MLB Pipeline had to say about him:

Garcia’s best pitch is a high-spin curveball with so much depth that he’ll have to prove he can land it for strikes when more advanced hitters don’t chase it out of the zone as often. He also gets good spin on his fastball, which plays better than its 91-96 mph velocity with deceptive riding life. He made strides with his fading changeup in 2018, creating optimism that it can become at least a solid third offering.

Some question Garcia’s future in the rotation, thinking he profiles best as a reliever. The Yankees don’t have to make any decisions on that now, though. Let him come to spring training and pitch as a starter for as long as he can.