Archive for Angelo Gumbs

The Yankees system isn’t as deep as it’s been in the past, but there are some high-ceiling talents at the top of the Top 15 list. The organization has some intriguing hard-throwers but the overall pitching depth is thin.

#1 Mason Williams (OF)

Williams was a steal as a fourth rounder from the 2010 amateur draft and he’s out-performed higher Yankees picks from that draft including Cito Culver (32nd overall) and Rob Segedin (third round). He’s moved somewhat slowly through the system to date but he looks ready to explode in 2012. Williams, 21, shows a solid approach at the plate with the ability to make a lot of contact, which should help him hit for a high average. He’s also doing a better job of driving the ball.

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Seeing prospects in person is my passion. In 2012, I was fortunate enough to visit parks in five different leagues — collecting information and video on 200 legitimate prospects or more. The lists released over the next few weeks will highlight the best prospects I’ve seen in person at each position during the 2012 season. The rankings will be adjusted based on projected position at the major league level, not present position (in italics if ranking includes position shift). Additionally, I’ll do my best to rank based on notes/video from the park and avoid adjusting for statistics after the fact. Keep this in mind when working through the lists and understand this is not meant to be a complete list of the best prospects at each position across all of Minor League Baseball, but the best of what I’ve seen.

Previous Rankings:
The Catchers
The First Basemen Read the rest of this entry »

On a Charleston team featuring what may be the deepest roster in minor league baseball, New York Yankees Angelo Gumbs stood out as having the best bat speed of the bunch. Now 19, the former second round pick originally signed for $750,000 as a centerfielder considered to be strong on tools, but short on actual baseball skills. Two years later, Gumbs is more than holding his own in full season baseball offensively and has made a move on defense to the keystone position. And while a .274/.322/.444 line including 22/25 in stolen base attempts doesn’t jump off the stat page, age-versus-level considerations make it all the more impressive – especially considering his lack of polish.

Video after the jump

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Justin Grimm, RHP, Texas Rangers
Current Level: AA
2012 Top 15 Prospects Ranking: NR
Current Value: On the Rise

A former top prep pitcher, Grimm’s inconsistency in college slid him down the 2010 draft’s depth chart and he landed in Texas’ lap in the fifth round. The right-hander has been on cruise control since turning pro and reached double-A in just his second season (He signed too late to play in ’10). Grimm has shown above-average control and has walked just eight batters in 45.1 innings this season. He does a nice job of commanding the ball down in the zone and he has produced solid ground-ball rates. The 23-year-old prospect is not far from being MLB-ready and he could eventually settle in as a No. 3 starter. With some other higher ceiling arms in the system Grimm could eventually be trade fodder.

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