Here is an update on how some of the best Yankees prospects are doing in the minors.
Triple-A: Scranton/Wilkes Barre Yankees
Austin Jackson OF: He has slowed down a little bit after his hot start, but is still maintaining a .318/.381/.438 hitting line. He finally ended his home run drought, and now is up to three on the season. Compared to last season in Double-A, his stolen base numbers are up (14), but so are his strikeouts (76). He remains the top hitting prospect at Triple-A, but won’t earn a promotion to the majors until an injury or September arrives.
Mark Melancon RHP: He reached the majors already this season, but was quickly sent down after just four appearances. His pitching repertoire features a low to mid 90s fastball and a sharp curve. He also throws a changeup, but it is clearly his third pitch. Since being sent down, he hasn’t been so good: 4.18 ERA in 23-2/3 innings. Still, he probably is the next guy from the minors to help out the Yankees bullpen this season.
Full Triple-A stats here.
Double-A: Trenton Thunder
Jesus Montero C: He was promoted to Double-A in early June, and after a slow start, he’s recently been on an unheard of power surge. He has five homers in his last five games and is hitting .346/.418/.580. There is no doubt this Venezuelan can hit, but his catching skills do need improvement. He has only thrown out 15 of 89 attempted base stealers this season in the minors. It is possible he eventually becomes a first basemen or DH in the majors, but the Yankees are not giving up on this 19-year-old yet.
Ivan Nova RHP: He was just promoted to Triple-A and has had one great start already: 5-2/3 IP, 1 H, 0 R and 5 Ks. He uses a 93-94 MPH fastball and a changeup and curve. His numbers in Double-A: 5-4, 2.36 ERA and a 1.52 K/BB ratio. The promotion may have been a little premature because Scranton lost pitchers George Kontos to Tommy John surgery and Casey Fossum.
Full Double-A stats here.
High-A: Tampa Yankees stats here.
Low-A: Charleston RiverDogs stats here.
(All of the used stats are prior to action on 7/4.)
