Yankee Catching

While we're waiting for the hot stove to heat up, we have some time to look at the Yankee Minor League system. Probably the deepest position in the system is catcher, though both pitcher, OF and 2B also have a lot of guys.


The Yankees' number one catching prospect and one of the top prospects in baseball is Jesus Montero. In 2009 Jesus started the season in the pitcher friendly FSL, and he absolutely destroyed it putting up a .989 OPS there in 48 games. He then went up to the pitcher friendly Eastern Leauge and put up a .909 OPS in 44 games before ending his season early because of injury. And he did all of that as a 19 year old., and if we ever get the park and league adjustments on what he did, it will be even more impressive. As he moves through the system, more and more people are realizing that he probably will stay at catcher. He has a plus arm and at 6'4" presents a big target for pitchers who reportedly like throwing to him.


Next in line for the Yanks, but probably no longer their number 2 catching prospect is Austin Romine. Austin started the season splitting time with Montero in the FSL, then took over the full time job when Jesus was promoted and ended up winning FSL player of the year. He was 20 all season, and put up a .763 OPS, which was good for a pitchers park and pitchers league, but not quite as good as it was last year. At the end of the season, he started to walk more, which is basically the key to whether he'll be an above average major league catcher, or just an average guy. He'll be spending his age 21 season in AA, so he's got time and he seems to have gotten the message. He was off to a great start in the AFL this year, but was shut down with a little injury. He has a plus arm and plus release and is a little quicker back there than Montero, though there are some who think Montero's defense is now better than Romine's.


Chase Weems was traded to the Reds for Jerry Hairston Jr. opening up a prospect gap. The next catcher in line is Kyle Higashioka. Kyle spent his age 19 season catching for SI in the very collegiately flavored NYPL. Kyle was prettty average with the bat and didn't show much power, hitting around .250 and OPSing under .700, but his BB's were close to his K's 25/31 and that shows a pretty good approach regardless of the numbers he put up mostly playing with older kids. What's more, he's leaderly, and probably ahead of both Jesus and Romine in terms of his D. He's a very natural catcher and they think he will hit going forward. He should start the season in low A Charleston, though a promotion to the FSL could be possible considering the trade of Weems and what we have behind him.


Francisco Arcia spent his age 19 season in the same place he spent his age 18 season, in the GCL, but this time he hit. Arcia was signed a few years ago as an undersized catcher who they knew would need time to grow. He surprised everyone by putting up and .850 OPS as a 17 year old in the DSL, so they sent him to the states as an 18 year old where he really didn't hit much at all. This year he bounced back with a .712 OPS where his BB/K was 11/16 indicated a solid approach. He too could be headed for low A Charleston. And he better step on it because there are three catchers right behind him who could really move.


JR Murphy was a 2009 draft pick who signed a bit late and put on a show in the GCL. The 18 year old put up an .890 OPS which featured a .405 OBP. That's some fancy hitting for the GCL. Murphy is one of the guys who can play 3B or OF if he's blocked at catcher, but he could move fast with the way he can hit. He's a good athlete who's still developing his defense, but he looks like he can do it. Now, he may be in the NYPL or they may jump him up to Charleston this year. I actually think he'll he be in Charleston. He may be a better prospect than Romine.


Gary Sanchez is the 3 million dollar man. The Yanks paid the 16 year old that much on July 2 to sign with them. He hasn't played in any leagues yet but was impressive in both Tampa and Dominican instructs. He's more advanced than Jesus Montero was when we signed him and his power and overall hitting ability are thought to be close. Defensively he's more like Romine, but an even more natural catcher. BTW, that's not a knock on Romine, he was a completely self-taught catcher till he was drafted by the Yanks a received instruction. Gary will probably spend his age 17 season in the GCL.


Damian Taveras was signed back in July of 2006, and was a long term project that finally exploded as a 19 year old in the DSL. He put up a 1.052 OPS, which is close to unheard of down there - and certainly so for a catcher. He was older, but still, that's some hitting and his D was good, too. I think he will skip the GCL and start in the NYPL. Don't be surprised if he really starts to move now, because the Yanks are very high on him.


So those are the top guys at C, and they have another one named Kyle Perkins coming over from Australia this coming spring. There are also some recent college draft picks who could make some noise at catcher. Clearly, the Yankee catching program is strong.