Prospects Report (Auburn Doubledays and Staten Island Yankees , A Short)
Drew Finley (RHP) #19 on Top 30 on Yankees Top Prospects list.
In the wake of all the moves done by the Yankees this past week, Finley has actually moved down the prospects list. Currently he is injured and is on the disabled list, however the organization hopes that he can recover and continues to progress throughout the minor leagues. Even though Finley has moved down, his importance has increased in the Yankees farm system with the departure of Aroldis Chapman, Andrew Miller and Ivan Nova. His pitching talent may be needed sooner rather than later in the big league club. The Yankees have high hopes for this prospect as he advances through the minor league system. Finley was drafted last year in the 3rd round from his home town of San Diego. During his time with the Staten Island Yankees, in Class A-Short, he has a 4.28 ERA with a 0-3 record. Promoted from the Rookie League this year, Finley has shown improvement in his numbers from the rookie league going from 9 home runs last year to 2 this season in the same amount of innings.
Blake Perkins (OF) #22 on Nationals Top Prospects List.
Game on 8/2/16- 0-4
The leadoff hitter in the 8/2 game has shown that he can put some pop in the bat and has some hints of power batting .242. He was drafted last year in the 2nd round out of high school in Arizona.But what was most known about his is his ability to run and field. A natural born lead off hitter Perkins could prove useful at the top of any lineup. He is not expected until 2019, still learning the system that will get him to the major leagues. He is still young and inexperienced and has the potential to become someone who fits well in the lead off spot, perhaps replacing one of the leadoff spots now.
Sheldon Neuse (3B) #9 on Top 30 on Nationals Top Prospects List.
Game on 8/2/16- 1-4 2B,
Neuse was in the third spot against the Auburn Doubledays. Drafted this year in the 2nd round, from the University of Oklahoma, Neuse became one of the power hitters on the Yankees, with 10 home runs behind Daniel Johnson with 12. During this game he hit a lot of long fly balls and a lot of balls that came back to the pitcher. He has an above average batting average at this level boasting a .284 average in 198 at-bats. When the ball is hit to him in the hot corner he has a really good arm and an instinct for fielding. If he develops he may become a main staple at third for the team in DC in 2019, when he is called up. What Neuse needs to work on is his plate discipline and his contact swing. Along with other prospects at this level he hopes to build on the experiences here and go on to the next level.
Nick Banks (RF) #13 on Nationals Top Prospects List.
Game on 8/2/16 1-4 Single to RF, 1K
Batting one spot behind Neuse in the cleanup spot was right fielder Nick Banks. Banks was drafted this year out of Texas A and M and is currently making progress in the Doubledays lineup. He has hit 9 home runs, stolen 3 bases, and 49 RBI’s despite only hitting .224 this year. A makeshift leadoff and power hitter he can be useful in any lineup. Banks is still very young and needs some experience before he makes it to the show in DC. Banks also has to improve his baserunning and his routes for fly balls. Since he is a left handed hitter he may have trouble with the shift. Banks has potential and lots of it but he needs to hone it, then he will become the star that the Nationals want him to be.
