SSTN Top Prospects: #70-66

James Vliestra assembles and analyses all of the top Yankees prospect names to know! Today we feature ranks #70-66.

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#70

Jesus Bastidas (Util.):

Age (As of 4/1/23): 24.5 Years Old

Height/Weight: 5'10" & 145 Pounds

Acquired: Signed as an International Free Agent in 2015 for $300K

Rule 5 Eligible: Already Passed; Will be a MiLB Free Agent after 2023

2022 Review:

Since being promoted to AA late in 2021, Bastidas has hit 23 homers in 140 games and hit to a slash line of .247/.336/.442/.779. All of these were much higher than his career averages.

2023 Preview:

Bastidas has been invited to spring training as a non roster invitee. Over the years he has played all over the infield so he is quite versatile. He will play in Scranton this year but he's available in case of emergency, though his best shot of cracking a Major League roster will likely be in another organization.

2023 Preseason Cross-Publication Prospect Rankings:

Analysis of Rankings:

He is more of an organizational player than a prospect but he may get a chance if in the right situation. The Yankees and their abundance of infielders is not that situation.

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#69

Angel Benitez (RHP):

Age (As of 4/1/23): 19.5 Years Old

Height/Weight: 6'7" & 205 Pounds

Acquired: Signed as an International Free Agent in 2021

Rule 5 Eligible: December, 2025

2022 Review:

Benitez only threw 19 innings in the DSL last year, though there was a lot to like in this small sample size: a 1.06 ERA, 0.941 WHIP, 12.7 K/9, 3.7 BB/9, and a 3.4 K/W rate.

2023 Preview:

The Yankees DSL had a lot of hidden gems last year. They all can't move stateside this year but Benitez is definitely a candidate to move up.

2023 Preseason Cross-Publication Prospect Rankings:

Analysis of Rankings:

Benitez has found himself on the bottom end of a few lists this year, and with a stateside appearance and continued progressions up he could see a lot more notice.

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#68

Engelth Urena (C):

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

Height/Weight: 6'0" & 195 Pounds

Acquired: Signed as an International Free Agent in 2022 for $275K

Rule 5 Eligible: December, 2026

2022 Review:

In the DSL, last year, Urena slashed .226/.351/.581/.932 albeit in only 11 games.

2023 Preview:

He will likely return to the DSL and try to get him more at bats there. A catcher with pop is what every team tries to develop.

2023 Preseason Cross-Publication Prospect Rankings:

Analysis of Rankings:

He very well may end up being a tremendous prospect, but I'm not sure what he showed in those 11 games to get a top 20 spot ahead of several more proven players.

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#67

Nick Ernst (RHP):

Age (As of 4/1/23): 26.5 Years Old

Height/Weight: 6'3" & 195 Pounds

Acquired: Drafted in the 15th Round of the 2018 MLB First Year Player Draft

Rule 5 Eligible: December, 2023

2022 Review:

He was a solid reliever in Somerset last year while striking out 10.7/9 in 59.2 innings. His bugaboo is walking 5.3/9, which resulted in a WHIP north of 1.4.

2023 Preview:

After a year and a half in AA, next stop is Scranton. If he can get his walks under control he could definitely help in the bullpen this year and beyond.

2023 Preseason Cross-Publication Prospect Rankings:

Analysis of Rankings:

Ernst is nearly a Major League ready relief pitcher. He's nothing flashy, which is not going to help him top any charts, but is capable of contributing now in a pinch.

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#66

TJ Rumfield (1B):

Age (As of 4/1/23): 22.8 Years Old

Height/Weight: 6'5" & 225 Pounds

Acquired: Acquired via trade with the Philadelphia Phillies (for Nick Nelson & Donny Sands)

Rule 5 Eligible: December, 2024

2022 Review:

Rumfield was part of the Nick Nelson/Donny Sands trade with the Phillies. He mostly played for Hudson Valley last year. He had a slugging percentage was only .392, which isn't stellar, especially for a first baseman. He did fare much better in the AFL when he slashed .400/.477/.582/1.059 in 17 games for Mesa.

2023 Preview:

A return to the Renegades in 2023 should give him the opportunity to succeed and improve his statistics.

2023 Preseason Cross-Publication Prospect Rankings:

Analysis of Rankings:

After the regular season that he had, listing him as a top 40 is aggressive. Placing him in the Top 20 is something else. The Athletic is really bullish on Rumfield, they must see something no one else does and/or really think his Fall League showing is indicative of great things to come.