MLB Scout: Yankees’ Farm System Isn’t Elite; ‘Less to Pick from’ at Trade Deadline

Andrew PetersJuly 13, 2024

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Ahead of the MLB trade deadline, one evaluator reportedly said the New York Yankees farm system “is not elite” and could lead to possible struggles at the negotiating table.

“The Yankees get their prospects to hit the ball hard as hitters, and add velocity and spin as pitchers, and they are going to light up the models of teams that value players similarly, so they are going to have items to move,” the evaluator said, per the New York Post’s Joel Sherman. “But the system is not elite. It is down. There is less to pick from.”

According to Sherman, a scout covering the team also said the slew of injuries to prospects could be a deterrent.

“I call them the Red Flag organization,” the scout said. “There are upside plays, but there are red flags everywhere with results and injury.”

Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter has the Yankees ranked as the fifth-best farm system with outfielder Jasson Domínguez highlighting the group, but injuries have taken a toll on some of their top prospects.

Domínguez will miss most of the season after suffering an oblique injury, which followed his recovery from Tommy John surgery. Everson Pereira, the third-ranked prospect according to Reuter, underwent elbow surgery last month. Chase Hampton, Henry Lalane, Carlos Lagrange, Clayton Beeter, Caleb Durbin and Brock Selvidge have all suffered injuries this year as well.

Several of the Yankees’ top prospects suffering injuries certainly could be seen as a negative in the eyes of teams looking to trade with New York.

The Yankees are looking to add some insurance to help them go on a deep postseason run after missing the playoffs last year. They have reportedly eyed Miami Marlins closer Tanner Scott and star Jazz Chisholm Jr.—two pieces who would help a strong roster get better.

New York has had a strong season thus far, but a recent skid means it no longer sits at the top of the AL East. The Yankees have lost 15 of their last 21 games, which gave the Baltimore Orioles the chance to overtake their spot at the top of the AL East standings.

With the trade deadline quickly approaching, New York will look to bolster its roster heading into the second half of the season.