Who’s hot in Double-A, 8/10/2017 edition

In season’s past I have been able to do a piece on the entire farm system on who has been playing well. This season it takes me days to make an article like that because there are so many players who are performing well. I’ve decided to do it one level at a time from now on, since it is much easier to knock that out in one day.

Trenton Thunder

Jhalan Jackson – Jackson wasn’t doing much in High-A, but he was called up to Trenton recently and has really clicked since then. He has a .346/.469/.423/.892 line with two double and a triple in 18 games since his promotion. It’s great to see him doing well, but he’ll really have to carry that success to the end of the season to start turning some heads.

Thairo Estrada – In the midst of his first slump of the season, Estrada has been amazing for a 21-year-old in Double-A. He has a .298/.351/.393/.744 line with 17 doubles, two triples, and six homeruns. The power is slight, but that’s not his calling card anyway. I saw him play live and he is a surefire major leaguer someday in my opinion, with the chance to be a huge difference maker.

Mike Ford – There’s not a single player I feel worse for on the farm than Mike Ford. He has hit the crap out of the ball this year, and the Yankees have made it clear that he is not going to get a shot to play first base for them even with multiple injuries and ineffective play at the major league level. Meanwhile, he has mashed in the minors to the tune of a .279/.406/.499/.905 line with 19 doubles, a triple, and 19 homeruns. It seems based on reports from his coaches that defense is a major issue with him. Maybe that’s why he is not a viable option for first base. I hope he gets a real opportunity somewhere though because I’d love to see what he can in the majors.

Justus Sheffield – Another reason the Yankees were able to make the trade for Sonny Gray was this fellow. He made James Kaprielian muh more expendable with his performance this season. He has been out for the past month, but on the year he’s thrown 90.1 innings and has a 3.09 ERA an 79 K to 33 BB. He should be back soon, and will probably get some innings in the AFL to build him up for next season.

Domingo Acevedo – Scouts keep harping on his flaws and insisting he will end up in the bullpen, but maybe it’s time people start focusing on the positives. First of all, even if he does end up in the bullpen, he throws 103 mph and doesn’t walk many guys. I’d say that’s a heck of a reliever right there. Secondly, the guy has done nothing but perform. People knock his control, but he has just 31 walks in 123 innings this season. He also has 132 K on the season. He’s been phenomenal all year. I’d be surprised if he isn’t in the majors at some point in 2018.

Cale Coshow – It may have taken all year, but Cale Coshow has recently gotten hot! In his last 14.1 innings, he has a 1.88 ERA and 20 K : 6 BB. On the season he has 62 K : 17 BB in 47.1 innings and a 3.91 ERA. That is not a good ERA for a reliever, but he has brought it down a full 1.23 points in his last nine appearances. This is significant because he is a big, 6-foot-5, 270-pound dude who sits in the upper 90’s in relief. If he can improve his control and get one of his secondary pitches working, the Yankees could have something here. I doubt there is room for him on the 40-man roster though, and if he finishes strong they may lose him in the rule 5 draft this season.

Brody Koerner – 78.1 innings, 50 K : 20 BB, and a 2.99 ERA on the season. The Yankees really like this kid and think he has a future in the rotation. He’s already in Double-A and having quite a bit of success. Could be another great development story for the Yankees as a failing starter at Clemson who is already showing he was a steal in the 17^th round.

Cody Carroll – Another late round find, this time in the 2015 draft. The crazy thing about Carroll is that he lights up the radar gun, to the tune of upper 90’s heat. How that slipped to the 22^nd round is beyond me. This year between High-A and Double-A he has pitched 56.1 innings, struck out 72 and walked just 23 en route to a 2.24 ERA. He has a .179 average against. So here you have a guy who is in just his second full season in the minors and is already in Double-A and excelling. Great pickup where they got him.

Colten Brewer – He has been pretty lights out this year with the exception of Triple-A, which is a small sample size. 50.1 IP, 58 K, 12 BB, and a 2.50 ERA. Not too shabby for a minor league rule 5 draftee. Over his last 10 appearances he has remained solid, with 19 K and a 2.81 ERA in 16 IP.

Will Carter – He and Jose Mesa both recently made starts in Double-A. It would make sense for both to be starters going forward. Carter came back from an injury in June and has pitched really well. In 30.1 innings, he has 15 K, nine walks, and a 2.67 ERA. At this point he just needs to stay healthy and get some innings.

Anyelo Gomez – One of the better development stories of the season, Gomez has had success across three levels. He has 55 innings, 71 K, 19 BB and 2.1 ERA on the season. In 24 Double-A innings, he has 29 K : 9 BB and a 1.88 ERA. He’s got the low to mid 90’s stuff, and the secondary stuff is working. He’s still got more work to do before he’s a legitimate major league option, but this season has been a huge step forward for him.

Jose Mesa Jr. – The Yankees have been building up his innings and he is now starting games in Double-A. Mesa has really good stuff, so it will be very interesting to see what he can do as a starter. If he has a strong finish to the season he is a sleeper to contribute to the major league team next year. He’s thrown 59.2 innings this season and has a 74:17 K:BB ratio.