SSTN Top Prospects: #35-31

James Vliestra assembles and analyses all of the top Yankees prospect names to know! Today we feature ranks #35-31!

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#35

Hans Montero (SS):

Age (As of 4/1/23): 19.2 Years Old

Height/Weight: 5'11" & 160 Pounds

Acquired: Signed as an International Free Agent in 2021 for $1.7M

Rule 5 Eligible: December, 2025

2022 Review:

Last year Montero stole 16 bases in 31 games during his second year of playing in the DSL. His promise still hasn't shown up yet as he has a combined OPS of .597 over both seasons in the DSL.

2023 Preview:

I would expect him to come stateside for 2023. He has a lot of work to put in to improve on the offensive side of the game. He's still very young. An incremental improvement of a .720 OPS in the FCL would be acceptable.

2023 Preseason Cross-Publication Prospect Rankings:

Analysis of Rankings:

Han Montero is listed on all three of the prospect compliers that go beyond 30 players. That's what he is at the moment, and the investment into him and his potential will keep him a target for the back-end of draft board in hopes he gets better.

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#34

Antonio Gomez (C):

Age (As of 4/1/23): 21.3 Years Old

Height/Weight: 6'2" & 210 Pounds

Acquired: Signed as an International Free Agent in 2018 for $600K

Rule 5 Eligible: December, 2023

2022 Review:

Gomez has long been viewed as a tremendous defensive catcher and the hope is that his bat improves enough to make him a viable major leaguer. Last year he didn't showcase that as he played in Tampa and managed only an OPS of .702.

2023 Preview:

He should start the year at Hudson Valley. Depending on how his offensive production improves will determine whether or not they protect him in the Rule-5 draft.

2023 Preseason Cross-Publication Prospect Rankings:

Analysis of Rankings:

Antonio Gomez has a lot of potential to make the MLB on his defense alone, though he was available in last years Rule-5 draft and not selected. He's mostly in the top 20 range as The Athletic's placing him top 5 seems optimistic for his offensive future.

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#33

Jesus Rodriguez (C/1B):

Age (As of 4/1/23): 20.9 Years Old

Height/Weight: 5'10" & 185 Pounds

Acquired: Signed as an International Free Agent in 2018

Rule 5 Eligible: December, 2023

2022 Review:

Rodriguez has split his time between catcher and first base pretty evenly. He played two seasons in the DSL before coming stateside in 2022. In the FCL he put up a 1.010 OPS.

2023 Preview:

My guess is he starts the year in Tampa. If his bat continues to outpace his glove he is going to see more time at first moving forward. He is a candidate that may open up some eyes this year.

2023 Preseason Cross-Publication Prospect Rankings:

Analysis of Rankings:

It's surprising to see Rodriguez get very little play in the Yankees system, but we're also still in the mid-30's ourselves so maybe he's a borderline candidate who keeps falling short of others.

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#32

Trystan Vrieling (RHP):

Age (As of 4/1/23): 22.4 Years Old

Height/Weight: 6'4" & 200 Pounds

Acquired: Drafted in the 3rd Round of the 2022 MLB First Year Player Draft for $611K

Rule 5 Eligible: December, 2025

2022 Review:

Vrieling was drafted out of Gonzaga and has yet to make his professional debut. Though, last year in college ball he pitched 80.2 innings while striking out 11.9/9. (Though he also walked 5.1/9.)

2023 Preview:

My guess is he will start the year at extended spring training before moving to Tampa. Down there the coaches will tinker with him as needed, especially to gain better control. Results won't necessarily matter so much as he gets his work in and gets comfortable.

2023 Preseason Cross-Publication Prospect Rankings:

Analysis of Rankings:

Vrieling's college experience helps his prospect pedigree hold more weight than others even as he hasn't pitched professionally yet. He makes about half the lists.

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#31

Elijah Dunham (OF):

Age (As of 4/1/23): 24.8 Years Old

Height/Weight: 6'0" & 215 Pounds

Acquired: Signed as an Undrafted Free Agent after the 2020 MLB First Year Player Draft

Rule 5 Eligible: December, 2023

2022 Review:

Since signing as an undrafted free agent after the abbreviated 2020 draft, Dunham has steadily risen through the system. Last year, in 110 games in Somerset he hit 46 extra base hits and had an OPS of .797.

2023 Preview:

He was invited to spring training as a non roster invitee. I expect him to get sent to Scranton where he will alternate between corner outfield positions. I expect him to eventually be a solid number four outfielder. He is rule 5 eligible after the season so I can see him being a tertiary piece traded away at the deadline.

2023 Preseason Cross-Publication Prospect Rankings:

Analysis of Rankings:

We're a lot more skeptical on Dunham than others who believe a future as an everyday outfielder is more plausible. He ranked 8th according to Prospect Live, to which I'd hope every other GM in baseball listens to when Dunham likely becomes a pre-Rule-5 draft trade piece.