SSTN Top Prospects: #60-56

James Vliestra assembles and analyses all of the top Yankees prospect names to know! Today we feature ranks #60-56.

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#60

Ben Cowles (2B/SS):

Age (As of 4/1/23): 23.1 Years Old

Height/Weight: 6'1" & 180 Pounds

Acquired: Drafted in the 10th Round of the 2021 MLB First Year Player Draft

Rule 5 Eligible: December, 2024

2022 Review:

Last year, Cowles bounced between Low-A and High-A while playing most of his time in the middle infield (second base/shortstop) and getting some reps at third base. His combined OPS was .802.

2023 Preview:

The Yankees love versatility and Cowles' ability to play several positions will serve him well. He's likely to start the season at Hudson Valley and continue to play several positions around the diamond.

2023 Preseason Cross-Publication Prospect Rankings:

Analysis of Rankings:

Cowles is a fringe Top-50 prospect name whose stock is held mostly in his versatility. He's a filler piece for the organization as of now.

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#59

Abrahan Ramirez (2B):

Age (As of 4/1/23): 18.4 Years Old

Height/Weight: 5'9" & 150 Pounds

Acquired: Signed as an International Free Agent in 2022 for $30K

Rule 5 Eligible: December, 2026

2022 Review:

Ramirez was signed and started his career in the DSL last year. His slash line was .333/.440/.500/.940.

2023 Preview:

With just 25 games in the DSL, his in-game performance is not a lot to go on. He's young and his numbers last year were promising. However, the lack of playing time does bode the question: Does he return to the Dominican Republic or does he come stateside?

2023 Preseason Cross-Publication Prospect Rankings:

Analysis of Rankings:

Ramirez has yet to make an impression to find himself on any other prospect radars.

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#58

Greg Weissert (RHP):

Age (As of 4/1/23): 28.1 Years Old

Height/Weight: 6'2" & 215 Pounds

Acquired: Drafted in the 18th Round of the 2016 MLB First Year Player Draft

Rule 5 Eligible: Currently on the New York Yankees 40-Man Roster

2022 Review:

Weissert had an amazing year out of the bullpen for Scranton. He struck out 13.1/9 and walked 3.6/9 for a 3.68 K/BB ratio. He was placed on the 40 man roster and appeared in 12 games for the Yankees as well.

2023 Preview:

This year, Weissert will probably be the main person on the Scranton shuttle. He will get promoted as needed. This position is vital for the freshness of arms and versatility of using the best available options.

2023 Preseason Cross-Publication Prospect Rankings:

Analysis of Rankings:

Really anyone who is expected to be a key member of a pennant contender should be a top 10-15, but his age prevents him from really being considered a top prospect. (He's older than Yoan Moncada- who has been in the MLB since 2016!)

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#57

Omar Gonzalez (RHP):

Age (As of 4/1/23): 17.6 Years Old

Height/Weight: 6'4" & 175 Pounds

Acquired: Signed as an International Free Agent in 2022 for $135K

Rule 5 Eligible: December, 2026

2022 Review:

As a 16 year old in the DSL, Gonzalez threw 20.1 dominant innings with an ERA of 0.44, a WHIP of 0.738, and a K-rate of 15.9/9. Add that along with a walk rate of 4/9 and he also had a K/BB rate of 4.0.

2023 Preview:

Whether in Florida or in the Dominican Republic he will once again play in rookie ball. If he can throw 40-50 innings and repeat his numbers from last year he will be shooting up the prospect lists.

2023 Preseason Cross-Publication Prospect Rankings:

Analysis of Rankings:

More than a decade younger than Weissert, Gonzalez is a serious prospect to consider and could shoot up prospect boards quickly. It helps he is so young.

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#56

Felix Negueis (OF):

Age (As of 4/1/23): 22.2 Years Old

Height/Weight: 6'0" & 200 Pounds

Acquired: Signed as an International Free Agent in 2018 for $200K

Rule 5 Eligible: December, 2023

2022 Review:

Negueis has a career OPS of .900. In 2022, in the FCL he slashed .287/.388/.574/.963 to go along with a V-Rating of 1.067. His season last year was heavily slept on.

2023 Preview:

He will advance to full season Tampa and man the corner outfield positions. If his bat continues to do what he does he will enter next year as a top 20 prospect.

2023 Preseason Cross-Publication Prospect Rankings:

Analysis of Rankings:

Negueis is a prospect who finds himself overlooked even though his statistics thus far have been very good. He's eligible for the Rule-5 draft after this season, but should be safe as a player yet to make it to Low-A going into the 2023 season. A little old for being so far down the minors, if he continues to hit, he'll move quickly.