[洋基] Yankees organizational depth: CF

[Tukiyomi (月讀)]

yankees.lhblogs.com/2012/01/26/yankees-organizational-depth-center-field-2/

In the year Curtis Granderson emerged as an MVP candidate, two of the Yankees
lowest-level center fielders emerged as elite prospects. It’s now a position
of strength both at the big league level and in the minor league system.

In the big leagues

In his first several months with the Yankees, Granderson hit like an overhyped
platoon player. He couldn’t hit lefties, his production plummeted, and hitting
coach Kevin Long stepped in for a Texas intervention. The difference has been
staggering. Suddenly a complete hitter against lefties and righties, Granderson
has become both a top-of-the-order run scorer and a middle-of-the-order run
producer. He led the American League in runs and RBI last season, and at 30
years old finished fourth in MVP voting. Signed through this season with a club
option for 2013, Granderson is locked into the center field position for the
near future, and an extension beyond the next two years doesn’t seem out of
the question. Granderson is becoming a best-case scenario, the best the Yankees
could have hoped for when they traded three young players to acquire him two
years ago.

On the verge

The Yankees immediate center field depth doesn’t necessarily come from the
minor leagues. Big league left fielder Brett Gardner is second on the depth
chart in center, and out-of-options fifth outfielder candidates Chris Dickerson
and Justin Maxwell have each handled the position at the major league level.
Down in Triple-A, the Yankees should have Colin Curtis, Cole Garner and veteran
Dewayne Wise capable of playing center, and the Double-A roster should have
Melky Mesa and Abe Almonte as wild card prospects with plenty of tools but
inconsistent results. The bulk of the Yankees young center field talent is
lower in the minor league system, but the upper levels provide considerable
depth at the position. There isn’t another Granderson in the group, but then
again, there aren’t many Granderson types in baseball.

Deep in the system

Take your pick. Mason Williams, Ravel Santana and Slade Heathcott are each
toolsy, athletic center fielders with a chance to becoming legitimate everyday
options at the big league level. Heathcott is the most familiar name, a 2009
first-round pick with elite speed but also a series of shoulder surgeries that
have delayed his development. He got off to a terrific start in Charleston last
season, but shoulder problems ended his season just one game — and three hits
— into a promotion to Tampa. Heathcotts injuries have opened the door for
Williams and Santana to stake their claims as the system’s top center field
prospects. Williams was an all-around force in Staten Island last season, and
Baseball America tabbed him as the New York-Penn League’s best prospect. He
should be ready for full-season ball this year. Santana was similarly
impressive in the Gulf Coast League — more power, less speed — and missed the
top spot on Baseball America’s GCL prospects list only because teammate Dante
Bichette Jr. ranked No. 1.

Organizational depth chart

My rough guess. It’s too early for the Yankees to decide who will be where
next season.

New York: Curtis Granderson
Scranton/WB: Dewayne Wise
Trenton: Melky Mesa
Tampa: Slade Heathcott
Charleston: Mason Williams

Triple-A should be a fairly steady rotation in center field, and Double-A
should have both Mesa and Abe Almonte getting time in center (hard to say
which one should get the bulk of the time there). If Heathcott isn’t ready
to open the season, Eduardo Sosa could step into the Tampa job. The Yankees
system has not shortage of players capable of handling center field (Austin
Krum, Dan Brewer, Damon Sublett) and it’s become a position of both quantity
and quality in the organization.

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