John Sickels' Top 20 Yankees Prospects

Minor League guru John Sickels has posted his top 20 Yankees prospects. Here is his list:

All grades are EXTREMELY PRELIMINARY and subject to change. Don’t get too worried about exact rankings at this point, especially once you get out of the top 10. Grade C+/C guys are pretty interchangeable depending on what you are looking for.

1) Jesus Montero, C, Grade B+: I believe in the bat. Where he fits with the glove I don’t know.

2) Austin Jackson, OF, Grade B: Should be a solid player but not a star. Will that be enough in New York?

3) Dellin Betances, RHP, Grade B-: Very high ceiling, has flashed dominance, can he stay healthy?

4) Austin Romine, C, Grade B-: More likely to stick behind the plate than Montero, though not as good a hitter.

5) Zach McAllister, RHP, Grade B-: A favorite of mine heading into 2008, looks like a strong inning-eater type.

6) Mark Melancon, RHP, Grade B-: Almost ready for major league action, should be good in pen and has closer potential.

7) Jairo Heredia, RHP, Grade B-: Looks like a major sleeper to me, and this is an aggressive ranking.

8) Andrew Brackman, RHP, Grade C+: Yankees propaganda is thick around this guy. Great arm, healthy now, but I don’t buy into the command yet. Want to see evidence.

9) Phil Coke, LHP, Grade C+: I like what he did a lot last year. Should be a very useful pitcher.

10) Alfredo Aceves, RHP, Grade C+: Has reached his ceiling, but like Coke he should be useful

11) Wilkins de la Rosa, LHP, Grade C+: Intriguing power lefty with a fresh arm.

12) Humberto Sanchez, RHP, Grade C+: Another power arm for the pen, command problems still an issue.

13) Jon Albaladejo, RHP, Grade C+: Another solid pen arm if healthy.

14) David Robertson, RHP, Grade C+: Yet another pen arm. ERA should have been closer to 4.00 based on the components. Hasn’t pitched 50 innings yet so he qualifies.

15) Brad Suttle, 3B, Grade C+: Will need to show enough power for third base.

16) Arodys Vizcaino, RHP, Grade C+: Very young, could rank in the top 10 next year if he develops properly.

17) Christian Garcia, RHP, Grade C+: Another promising power arm if healthy.

18) George Kontos, RHP, Grade C+: Will need more consistent command.

19) Kanekoa Texeira, RHP, Grade C+: Power sinker/slider guy acquired in Swisher deal, yet another pen option.

20) Eduardo Sosa, OF, Grade C+: Very high ceiling guy, but need some North American data. Could rank as high as 8 depending on criteria and how much you trust DSL performance.

21) Eric Hacker, RHP, Grade C+: Surprise addition to 40-man roster, nice track record but injury-prone, fifth starter type when healthy.

Others: David Adams, 2B; Manuel Banuelos, LHP; Jeremy Bleich, LHP: Frank Cervelli, C; Kelvin De Leon, OF; Mike Dunn, LHP; Brett Gardner, OF; Alan Horne, RHP: Corban Joseph, 2B; Brett Marshall, RHP; D.J. Mitchell, RHP; David Phelps, RHP; Ryan Pope, RHP; Matt Richardson, RHP; Damon Sublett, 2B; Pat Venditte, RHP-LHP; Kevin Whelan, RHP.

He has even more about the Yanks' farm system here. I have no complaints about the list. Sickels knows far more than I do about the minors so I'll leave the analysis to an expert.

Also, since I'm posting all this great info I might as well plug his upcoming book:

"Reports on these guys and over 1,000 others can be found in the 2009 Baseball Prospect Book. Pre-order for January 31st shipping now!"

I know I'm getting one.