Yankees 3 most underrated prospects

We are on the brink of an exciting 2024 season for the New York Yankees, with pitchers and catchers scheduled to report to George Steinbrenner Field in just two short weeks. According to Kiley McDaniel of ESPN, the Yankees boast six prospects within his top 100, solidifying their position as the seventh-best farm system in all of baseball. Despite acquiring superstar Juan Soto in a recent trade, the organization remains rich in promising prospects set to make waves throughout the upcoming season.

One standout prospect poised for a remarkable 2024 is Brock Selvidge. At the outset of 2023, MLB.com ranked the 21-year-old left-handed pitcher as the No. 11 prospect in the organization. Following an impressive stint with the Tampa Tarpons in Low A, where he maintained a 3.38 ERA and 1.20 WHIP, Selvidge earned a promotion to High A with the Hudson Valley Renegades in late July. His consistency prevailed, delivering a 3.58 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP across nine starts for the Renegades. Over a total of 127.2 innings for the Tarpons and Renegades, Selvidge recorded an impressive 137 strikeouts, showcasing a high strikeout rate that should excite Yankee fans.

Selvidge’s repertoire has evolved into that of a complete four-pitch pitcher, with improvements noted in his fastball, cutter, slider, and changeup. Notably, his fastball velocity increased from 91-92 MPH to an impressive 93-95 MPH towards the end of the A+ season. His ability to change speeds, evident in his slider (79-82 MPH), cutter (85 MPH), and changeup (83-84 MPH), consistently baffled opposing hitters. While occasional consistency issues may arise for the 21-year-old, the Yankees recognize the unique potential embedded in Selvidge’s talent.

Another source of excitement for Yankee fans is the emergence of Henry Lalane, the No. 4 prospect in the FCL. Standing at an imposing 6-foot-7, the 19-year-old left-handed pitcher draws comparisons to the legendary Randy Johnson, thanks to his physical stature that sets him apart in the league. Despite his tender age, Lalane has already reached an impressive 97 MPH on the radar gun. His extraordinary arm action and the ability to consistently deliver pitches at 93-96 MPH from the left side make it challenging for hitters to read his offerings. In his 21.2 innings at ROK in the previous year, Lalane showcased control, yielding only four walks while amassing 34 strikeouts and maintaining a commendable 0.97 WHIP. With continued development in the minors, Lalane holds the potential to join the ranks of aces like Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon at a remarkably young age.

In contrast to Selvidge and Lalane, the No. 13 prospect Kyle Carr offers a different dimension with his athleticism, compensating for a lack of traditional size and physicality. At 21 years old and standing at 6 feet 1 inch, Carr was a third-round pick for the Yankees in the 2023 draft. His impressive track record at Palomar College in California, including a 12-1 record, 2.38 ERA, 111 strikeouts, and 19 walks in 78 innings, underscores his potential. Carr’s primary focus will be refining his secondary pitches, but with an electric fastball ranging from 92-95 MPH and the ability to touch 97 MPH, he possesses the attributes to evolve into an exceptional left-handed starter in the coming years. If Carr continues his upward trajectory and hones his sweeper and changeup, the Yankees may have unearthed a hidden gem in the 2023 draft.