Yankees Disrespected In Farm System Rankings

The New York Yankees have four prospects in MLB Pipeline's list of the top 100, including a middle infielder and red-hot slugging outfielder.

Mar 24, 2024; Bradenton, Florida, USA; New York Yankees infielder George Lombard Jr. (18) throws the ball to first base for an out during the fourth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at LECOM Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

The baseball world is buzzing this week following MLB Pipeline's updated list of the top 100 prospects in the game and the top 30 prospects for each club, both of which dropped Tuesday.

The recalibration came following the MLB trade deadline, which saw many of the game's top prospects changing teams.

The Yankees landed four prospects in the top 100: infielder George Lombard Jr. (No. 25), right-hander Carlos Lagrange (No. 82), right-hander Cam Schlittler (No. 91) and outfielder Spencer Jones (No. 92).

Feb 18, 2025; Tampa, FL, USA; (96) poses for a portrait during the Photo Day at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: New York Yankees via Imagn Images | New York Yankees-Imagn Images

On Wednesday, MLB Pipeline ranked all 30 clubs based on the quality of their farm systems. New York checked in at No. 22. That's the same rank the Yankees received going into the season.

"All four of the Yankees' Top 100 Prospects have joined the list since the season began," MLB.com's Jim Casillas, Sam Dykstra and Jonathan Mayo wrote Wednesday. "Schlitter, a 2022 seventh-rounder who's yet another testament to their ability to find and develop arms in later rounds, already is contributing in the Majors.

"The system's depth took a huge hit, however, when New York traded 15 prospects for reinforcements at the Trade Deadline, though it did manage to hold onto to most of its top talents," the trio added.

Yes, it's true that Yankees general manager Brian Cashman traded several ranked prospects ahead of the deadline. But the top-ranked chip he moved was catcher Rafael Flores, the club's No. 8 prospect at the time.

Mar 4, 2025; Clearwater, Florida, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Spencer Jones (78) runs the bases after hitting a three-run home run against the Philadelphia Phillies in the third inning during spring training at BayCare Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

In fact, Lombard and Jones were considered practically untouchable, unless trading them would have landed Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes.

Jones is the closest to reaching the majors. He leads all of the minors with 30 home runs this year, including 14 in 33 games with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Of course, Schittler already arrived this year in the Bronx. The 24-year-old is 1-2 with a 4.38 ERA in five MLB starts. The right-hander moved into the rotation following the season-ending injury to Clarke Schmidt which required Tommy John surgery.

Schittler is back on the mound Wednesday, when the Yankees go for a three-game sweep of the Twins in Minneapolis. But it won't be easy with Twins ace Joe Ryan scheduled to the mound at Target Field. The right-hander is fourth in the American League with a 2.79 ERA and tied for second with a 4.5 WAR.

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