SSTN Top Prospects: #10-6

James Vliestra assembles and analyses all of the top Yankees prospect names to know! Today we feature ranks #10-6!

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#10

Richard Fitts (RHP):

Age (As of 4/1/23): 23.2. Years Old

Height/Weight: 6'3" & 215 Pounds

Acquired: Drafted in the 6th Round of the 2021 MLB First Year Player Draft for $226K

Rule 5 Eligible: December, 2024

2022 Review:

Between Tampa and Hudson Valley Fitts threw 112 innings last year. His strikeout rate was 10.5/9. He walked only 1.6/9 giving him a staggering 6.55 K/BB ratio. Those are numbers that see you rise quickly.

2023 Preview:

He will probably return to Hudson Valley for the beginning of the year but should quickly prove to not be much competition for him. Somerset will be his home for the rest of the summer. He should stretch to near 130 innings.

2023 Preseason Cross-Publication Prospect Rankings:

Analysis of Rankings:

There is a huge difference in his rankings. Mine is on the high end. Hopefully I am right and he's a top 5 prospect next offseason.

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#9

Trey Sweeney (SS):

Age (As of 4/1/23): 22.9 Years Old

Height/Weight: 6'4" & 200 Pounds

Acquired: Drafted in the 1st Round of the 2021 MLB First Year Player Draft for $3M

Rule 5 Eligible: December, 2024

2022 Review:

After being drafted in 2021, he smashed a .932 OPS. Last year he played most of the year at Hudson Valley before finishing at Somerset. He hit a more modest .763 OPS with 16 Homers and 31 stolen bases.

2023 Preview:

So far, since being drafted he has only played 55 games. This year I can see him playing more at third base, as a less blocked path to the Majors. It's likely that he starts the year in Somerset with an eye on a late season call to Scranton similar to Volpe last year.

2023 Preseason Cross-Publication Prospect Rankings:

Analysis of Rankings:

Most of the publications place Sweeney in the top 10 in an organization that are on the verge of graduating several into the majors. He very possibly can land onto some top 100 lists.

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#8

Brock Selvidge (LHP):

Age (As of 4/1/23): 20.5 Years Old

Height/Weight: 6'3" & 205 Pounds

Acquired: Drafted in the 3rd Round of the 2021 MLB First Year Player Draft for $1.5M

Rule 5 Eligible: December, 2025

2022 Review:

The Yankees signed the high school pitcher for way over slot in 2021. He started last year in extended spring training before finishing out in the FCL. On the season he tossed 42.2 innings walked 3.6/9, struck out 11.2/9, for a 3.1 K/BB rate.

2023 Preview:

He will either begin the season in Low-A Tampa or extended spring training. Once again, the goal is to stay healthy and get reps in as he continues to develop. If he can give them 90+ innings and possibly get a late season cameo at High-A Hudson Valley the organization will probably be thrilled.

2023 Preseason Cross-Publication Prospect Rankings:

Analysis of Rankings:

My ranking is purely subjective and not objective at all. This is either going to indicate that either I need to reevaluate my numbers or you should expect a huge climb up the other lists this season for Selvidge.

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#7

Roderick Arias (SS):

Age (As of 4/1/23): 18.5 Years Old

Height/Weight: 6'2" & 180 Pounds

Acquired: Signed as an International Free Agent in 2022 for $4M

Rule 5 Eligible: December, 2026

2022 Review:

As a 17 year old in the DSL, Arias got his feet wet as a professional last year. He batted only .194 but had a .379 OBP and a solid .786 V-Rating. This shows he has a good eye and is probably patiently waiting for a strike he can drive. Skill level and competition improves drastically once a team calls a player stateside.

2023 Preview:

For a prized prospect taking up the majority of last year's IFA bonus pool money I anticipate him staying at the Himes Complex playing in the FCL and having the team's top instructors working closely with him. The goal in 2023 is to stay healthy, get lots of reps and aim for full season ball in 2024. If all goes well, maybe play with Tampa late in the year during their playoff push.

2023 Preseason Cross-Publication Prospect Rankings:

Analysis of Rankings:

There's a pretty wide range of opinions on him. But if the Yankees dedicated that much of their IFA allotment towards him, they clearly regard him very highly.

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#6

Everson Pereira (OF):

Age (As of 4/1/23): 21.9 Years Old

Height/Weight: 6'0" & 190 Pounds

Acquired: Signed as an International Free Agent in 2017 for $1.5M

Rule 5 Eligible: Currently on the 40-Man Roster

2022 Review:

Prior to the missed 2020 season Pereira was a light hitting outfielder with a career OPS under .700. He emerged in 2021 hitting 20 homers in only 49 games as he climbed from the FCL all the way to Hi-A, combining for a 1.084 OPS. As did many of their top prospects, Pereira got off to a slow start in 2022. He started in the Hudson Valley and eventually caught fire and earned a promotion to Somerset where he continued to excel against the advanced competition. On the year he hit 14 Homers and stole 21 bases along with a .819 OPS and .805 V-Rating.

2023 Preview:

He is on the 40-Man roster so he's in camp. I see him getting lots of playing time early on before the perceived regulars really get going. In this playing time it's up to him to open up eyes and try to push for the left field job. My expectations is he will start the season in Somerset and they will reevaluate around the All Star Game unless a need arises beforehand.

2023 Preseason Cross-Publication Prospect Rankings:

Analysis of Rankings:

He has lots of 4s and 5s in an organization that has 6 different players that have placed on top 100s. He will be an impact player.