Evil Empire - Top 10 Prospects

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Evil Empire - Top 10 Prospects

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Since this seems to be the trend and I wanted to see how my top 10 looked and stacked up against the competition here is the 2009 IBC Yanks top 10 prospects.

1) Jason Heyward (RF) - After sliding to the Braves with the 14th pick in the MLB draft, the IBC Yanks were determined to not let that happen here. Taken 6th overall in the 2007 IBC draft Heyward has lived up to the expectations. Magglio Ordonez is just keeping the spot warm until Heyward bursts on the scene. Heyward is a typical RF that has drawn comps to the two Dave's: Parker and Winfield. He is the total package and you can expect to find him in the middle of the lineup in the near future.

2) Neftali Feliz (SP) - Acquired from Ranger prospect guru Brett Perryman, Feliz is the IBC Yanks best pitching prospect. His fast ball is a true 80 pitch on the pitching scale and he reaches 95 without effort. His breaking ball needs some improvement, but he can get quality hitters out right now with that fastball. Look for him at some point in the MLB in 09 and a corner stone in the Yanks pitching plans as early as 2010. Best case scenario: IBC Yanks 1A starter. Worst case (barring injury): Lock-down closer

3) Jesus Montero (C) - Another player acquired from Brett Perryman (thanks buddy) Montero is one of the IBC Yanks favorite prospects. Probably because he is a MLB Yankee. Montero is currently catching and if he can somehow stick behind the plate we could be looking at a truly great offensive catcher. The defense is another issue. Even if he has to move off the position his bat is his calling card. He is a great hitter with good bat speed and light tower power. He is still probably two years away as he will only be 19 in A-ball this year, but he will be worth the wait.

4) Andrew Brackman (SP) - The second real life Yankee to make the top 10. Brackman has perhaps the highest ceiling of any player on this list. Sliding only to the IBC Yanks at the 10th pick in the 2nd round of the '07 draft due to arm troubles, Brackman is finally back from TJ surgery. A monster at 6'10" Brackman's fastball can get up to triple digits and his curve ball has the potential to be a plus pitch in time. He should start the season in high class A and is a candidate to be number 1 on this list next year.

5) Kyle Skipworth (C) - The first of four 2008 draftees to make this list, Skipworth fell to the Yanks at pick 13 due to a mediocre debut. Taken 6th overall by the MLB Marlins this sweet swinging lefty catcher was considered the best HS hitter in a MLB draft since Joe Mauer. That was enough to sell me on the pick, and should have IBC GMs banging their heads against the wall by the end of next season.

6) Jose Tabata (OF) - Tabata found life after a late season trade to the MLB Pirates. He could become trade bait down the line as the IBC Yanks OF is getting crowded, but the Yanks will give him every chance to become a starter first. I think this sums up Tabata's potential. "If a 2007 high school draftee hit .348/.402/.562 in a 22-game late-season trial in Double-A, people would be salivating."

7) Bradley Holt (P) - Drafted right before cross-town rival Jim Berger could get his hand on Holt, the IBC Yanks were happy he fell to the beginning of round 2. Right now Holt's calling card is his overpowering fastball which allowed him to dominate in his debut. If Holt can develop his secondary pitches he could shoot up this list. He will begin the year in High A as a starter with the hopes of staying there and not moving to the pen.

8 ) Julio Borbon (CF) - In Borbon's first full season he not only reached AA, but hit .321 with 53 steals. He profiles as a potential lead-off/number 9 hitter for the IBC Yanks and with an improved walk rate could really become a star. A fitting comparison to Borbon is Johnny Damon which is fitting as he could be looking to replace him as the IBC Yanks starting LF as soon as 2010.

9) Ryan Westmoreland (CF) - The IBC Yanks drafted Westmoreland with the 1st pick in the 2nd round of the '08 draft, Many thought he was committed to Vandy, but when GM Bornas and The Steinbrenner's showed him the money he had no choice but to join the dark side. Westmoreland is a top athlete and could become a 30-30 man if everything breaks right. The only bad thing about this player is he is a real life Red Sox.

10) Hak-Ju Lee (SS) - Probably an aggressive ranking here, but with the Yankees in need of a future SS Lee fits the bill. The last member of the '08 draft class to make the list, scouts have said that if he was American he would have been a first round pick in the draft and the second rated SS behind Beckham. The IBC Yanks will give Lee time to get adjusted, but he gives the Yanks hope of a home grown SS to someday take over for future HOF Derek Jeter.

Just missed the cut: Daryl Jones, Mark Melancon, Peter Kozma, Bradley Suttle
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