SSTN Top Prospects: #55-51

James Vliestra assembles and analyses all of the top Yankees prospect names to know! Today we feature ranks #55-51.

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#55

Anthony Garcia (1B):

Age (As of 4/1/23): 22.5 Years Old

Height/Weight: 6'5" & 205 Pounds

Acquired: Signed as an International Free Agent in 2017 for $450K

Rule 5 Eligible: December, 2023

2022 Review:

Garcia had a breakout season in 2021. With almost a hit, run, RBI, and walk per game he had an OPS of 1.122. Expectations were high entering 2022. The problem is he lost all of his power while slugging only .369. He walked enough to have a decent OBP, but his batting average was below the Mendoza line and his OPS slipped .380 points to.742.

2023 Preview:

Garcia is in desperate need of a bounce back season. Possibly keeping him in Tampa is in his best interest. Many ballplayers have struggled to adjust to better pitching as they advance through the minors, and Garcia will have to recognize pitches faster out of the hand. His high walk rates do indicate he's seeing the ball well, so hopefully his raw power translates back on the field.

2023 Preseason Cross-Publication Prospect Rankings:

Analysis of Rankings:

Several publications clearly think last year was a blip and expect a full rebound. Others are a bit more skeptical to believing 2021 was the larger outlier.

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#54

Osiel Rodriguez (RHP):

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:

After many years, Rodriguez finally got his opportunity in full season ball with a two game cameo in Tampa last season. Overall he only totaled 35 innings as he struck out 10.8/9 and walked 2.1/9, which was good for a 5.25 K/BB rate.

2023 Preview:

It's been almost 5 years since Rodriguez signed and he's only amassed 53.1 innings pitched. I'm guessing he starts in extended spring training before settling in at Tampa. Hard to imagine that they let him go much more than 80 innings. He's still young and last year's numbers offer a reason for optimism.

2023 Preseason Cross-Publication Prospect Rankings:

Analysis of Rankings:

Rodriguez was an incredibly hyped prospect during the 2018 International Signing period. Though we're now almost 5 years since then, it's clear his pedigree is still doing some major work to keep his name on the radar.

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#53

Edgar Barclay (LHP):

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

Height/Weight: 5'10" & 200 Pounds

Acquired: Drafted in the 15th Round of the 2019 MLB First Year Player Draft

Rule 5 Eligible: December, 2023

2022 Review:

Barclay pitched 67.1 innings for Hudson Valley in 2022, mostly out of the bullpen. He had a tremendous year with a WHIP of 0.906, 2.7 BB/9, and 11.5 K/9, good for a 4.3 K/BB ratio, almost exactly equaling his career average.

2023 Preview:

Barclay should be an anchor in the Somerset bullpen. Looking forward, the Yankees bullpen is a strength of the team but attrition always strikes and Barclay could fill in nicely. His years in the minors should be numbered. (And that's a good thing!)

2023 Preseason Cross-Publication Prospect Rankings:

Analysis of Rankings:

In most any other system he's probably a unanimous top 25-30 player, yet on the Yankees lists he's almost an afterthought given their depth of decent prospect arms. I still predict a solid career for Barclay, though.

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#52

Willy Montero (OF):

Age (As of 4/1/23): 18.6 Years Old

Height/Weight: 6'4" & 200 Pounds

Acquired: Signed as an International Free Agent in 2021

Rule 5 Eligible: December, 2025

2022 Review:

Montero returned to the DSL in 2022 after a lackluster stateside debut in 2021. He improved his slash line by .070/.084/.169/.254 each. He went from a non-factor OPS of .524 to a legitimate .778. His year to year totals (2021/2022): HR - 0/4, SB - 0/16, Runs - 8/35, RBI's - 8/25, Doubles - 1/9.

2023 Preview:

Montero should be at FCL looking to continue his improvements. Sometimes players are moved up too quick- as we saw in 2021- but this year I could see him opening lots of eyes.

2023 Preseason Cross-Publication Prospect Rankings:

Analysis of Rankings:

We're more bullish on Montero than just about anybody else.

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#51

Mitch Spence (RHP):

Age (As of 4/1/23): 24.9 Years Old

Height/Weight: 6'1" & 185 Pounds

Acquired: Drafted in the 10th Round of the 2019 MLB First Year Player Draft for $122K

Rule 5 Eligible: December, 2023

2022 Review:

Between Somerset and Scranton last year, Spence threw 130.1 innings. He struck out 8.8/9 and walked 2.9/9, good for a 3/1 K/BB ratio. He does have a penchant for allowing too many base runners via the hit, however.

2023 Preview:

He was invited to spring training as a non roster invitee. He will likely start the year eating up innings in Scranton. He's a candidate to bounce on and off the 40 man roster several times, in between returning to Scranton as needed.

2023 Preseason Cross-Publication Prospect Rankings:

Analysis of Rankings:

Arguably, Spence is ready for a major league role, but he'll need to continue to work on his command to stick in the MLB during the chances he should get.