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New York Yankees: Prospects to Watch in 2016

By Christian Kouroupakis

Mar 3, 2015; Clearwater, FL, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) runs back into the dugout during a spring training baseball game at Bright House Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 3, 2015; Clearwater, FL, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) runs back into the dugout during a spring training baseball game at Bright House Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Yankees: Prospects to Watch in 2016
Oct 6, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi (28) greets second baseman Stephen Drew (14) prior to the American League Wild Card playoff baseball game against the Houston Astros at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Jorge Mateo, SS

The Yankees signed then 17-year old Jorge Mateo out of the Dominican Republic in 2012. He, like Acevedo, made his debut for the Dominican Summer League Yankees where he played in 14 games. Mateo didn’t disappoint, as he had 14 hits and 12 walks in 69 plate appearances with a home run and four stolen bases.

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He suffered a hairline fracture in his left arm, but bounced back and returned to the league in 2013 where he hit .287 in 64 games. He cranked seven home runs while driving in 26 runs and was promoted to the Gulf Coast League in 2014 at the age of 19.

Unfortunately he was limited to 15 games in the GCL after breaking his left wrist. After returning from injury, the Yankees tested him by sending him to Charleston to start the 2015 season. Mateo showed off his tremendous speed by stealing 71 bases on 86 chances, and hit .268 with eight triples and an OBP of a .338.

Mateo continued to climb the ladder and was promoted to Tampa where he played in 21 games and hit .321 while stealing 11 bases on 13 attempts. Scouts rate his speed at an 80 out of 80 on the scouting scale, while possessing average power, great plate discipline, and could develop into the best hitter in the farm system.

His range at shortstop is continuing to impress New York and his strong arm is one of the main reasons why he is the organizations top prospect. In 2016, he will be in Tampa to continue his development and you may see him in Trenton before the end of the season.

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Mateo is turning heads, yet it will take some time before we see him take Major League Baseball by storm.

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