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Yankees Daily Trade Deadline Profile: Jorge Mateo

By Sean Dyer

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 13: The New York Yankees take the field to start the game against the Tampa Bay Rays on April 13, 2017 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 13: The New York Yankees take the field to start the game against the Tampa Bay Rays on April 13, 2017 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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MLB’s non-waiver trade deadline is July 31st. As the New York Yankees appear to be in playoff contention, every day this month we will take a look at a player who could be involved in the Yankees’ deadline activity. These players will either be current Yankees who could be traded away or players from other organizations who New York could look to acquire for the playoff push.

We’ll start our daily Yankee trade deadline profiles with a top prospect who New York may have to part ways with in order to add serious talent for the playoffs.

NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 10: The New York Yankees walk off the field after the National Anthem before the game against the Tampa Bay Rays during the New York Yankees home Opening game at Yankee Stadium on April 10, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 10: The New York Yankees walk off the field after the National Anthem before the game against the Tampa Bay Rays during the New York Yankees home Opening game at Yankee Stadium on April 10, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

SS Jorge Mateo, Trenton Thunder (AA), Sell

Mateo is the number four prospect in the Yankees’ system, according to MLB.com. However, if New York wants to add a frontline starter to their rotation, they might need to trade the speedy shortstop.

A top prospect for years, Mateo has had his issues in the minor leagues. He was suspended last year for mouthing off and started this season in Single-A despite being 21-years-old at the time.

Although his pro career hasn’t been easy, MLB.com has the shortstop ranked as the 38th best prospect in all of baseball.

Mateo’s game is speed and he has a lot of it. On MLB.com’s 20-80 scale, Mateo’s speed is an 80.

The shortstop used that speed to steal 82 bases in 117 games in 2015.

Mateo only stole 36 bags in 113 games in 2016. However, he already has 29 swipes in the first 72 games of this year.

Where Mateo struggles is getting on base. As they say, you can’t steal first base.

If Mateo can’t get on base, he can’t steal bases and his speed becomes a lot less valuable.

Recently promoted to Double-A Trenton, Mateo will get to spend the month of July showing the Yankees, and the rest of the league, just how good he can be.

With Gleyber Torres and Clint Frazier potentially being untouchable at the trade deadline, Jorge Mateo may be the prospect General Manager Brian Cashman builds a package around to land a top starting pitcher or even a corner infielder.

Next: Yankees Redheaded Phenom Getting Promoted

Yankee fans shouldn’t fall in love with the speedster because his days in the Yankee farm system may be numbered.

Mateo is a 22-year-old shortstop with the potential to steal 50 bases a year. He is the type of prospect teams will want in return for an impact player.

Come back tomorrow for the profile of a player the Yankees may acquire using Mateo at the July 31st trade deadline.

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