By John Manuel
November 10, 2010



Baseball America's Top 10 Prospects lists are based on projections of a player's long-term worth after discussions with scouting and player-development personnel. All players who haven't exceeded the major league rookie standards of 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched (without regard to service time) are eligible. Ages are as of April 1, 2011.

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TOP TEN PROSPECTS

1. Jesus Montero, c 2. Gary Sanchez, c 3. Dellin Betances, rhp 4. Manny Banuelos, lhp 5. Andrew Brackman, rhp 6. Austin Romine, c 7. Hector Noesi, rhp 8. Eduardo Nunez, ss/3b 9. Slade Heathcott, of 10. Brandon Laird, 3b

BEST TOOLS

Best Hitter for Average Jesus Montero Best Power Hitter Jesus Montero Best Strike-Zone Discipline David Adams Fastest Baserunner Mason Williams Best Athlete Melky Mesa Best Fastball Dellin Betances Best Curveball Andrew Brackman Best Slider David Phelps Best Changeup Jose Ramirez Best Control Hector Noesi Best Defensive Catcher Austin Romine Best Defensive Infielder Eduardo Nunez Best Infield Arm Eduardo Nunez Best Defensive Outfielder Slade Heathcott Best Outfield Arm Melky Mesa

PROJECTED 2014 LINEUP

Catcher Gary Sanchez First Base Mark Teixeira Second Base Robinson Cano Third Base Alex Rodriguez Shortstop Eduardo Nunez Left Field Brett Gardner Center Field Slade Heathcott Right Field Curtis Granderson Designated Hitter Jesus Montero No. 1 Starter C.C. Sabathia No. 2 Starter Phil Hughes No. 3 Starter Dellin Betances No. 4 Starter Manny Banuelos No. 5 Starter Hector Noesi Closer Andrew Brackman

TOP PROSPECTS OF THE DECADE

Year Player, Position 2010 2001 Nick Johnson, 1b Yankees 2002 Drew Henson, 3b Out of baseball 2003 Jose Contreras, rhp Phillies 2004 Dioner Navarro, c Rays 2005 Eric Duncan, 1b Braves 2006 Phil Hughes, rhp Yankees 2007 Phil Hughes, rhp Yankees 2008 Joba Chamberlain, rhp Yankees 2009 Austin Jackson, of Yankees 2010 Jesus Montero, c Yankees

TOP DRAFT PICKS OF THE DECADE

Year Player, Position 2010 2001 John-Ford Griffin, of Newark (Atlantic) 2002 Brandon Weeden, rhp (2nd) Out of baseball 2003 Eric Duncan, 3b Braves 2004 Phil Hughes, rhp Yankees 2005 C.J. Henry, ss Out of baseball 2006 Ian Kennedy, rhp Diamondbacks 2007 Andrew Brackman, rhp Yankees 2008 *Gerrit Cole, rhp UCLA 2009 Slade Heathcott, of Yankees 2010 Cito Culver, ss Yankees *Did not sign

LARGEST BONUSES IN CLUB HISTORY

Hideki Irabu, 1997 $8,500,000 Jose Contreras, 2002 $6,000,000 Andrew Brackman, 2007 $3,350,000 Gary Sanchez, 2009 $3,000,000 Wily Mo Pena, 1999 $2,440,000

NEW  YORK YANKEES LINKS

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With many franchises, the success of the Yankees farm system in 2010 would have been the story of the organization's year.

New York had breakthrough after breakthrough in the minors, with power-armed righthanders Dellin Betances and Andrew Brackman having their best seasons and second-tier prospects such as third baseman Brandon Laird, righty Ivan Nova and infielder Eduardo Nunez turning in strong performances at upper levels. The top three affiliates reached the playoffs, with high Class A Tampa winning the Florida State League title.

But that's not what grabs headlines in New York. The Yankees won 95 games, led the planet in runs scored and once again dominated the Twins in the American League Division Series, but the season was viewed as a disappointment because they fell short of repeating as World Series champions. Not only did they lose to the Rangers in the AL Championships Series, but they were clearly the inferior team, getting outscored 31-6 in their four losses.

Counting the playoffs, New York split its last 68 games after July 31. For glass-half-empty Yankee fans, there were plenty of negatives, from the death of owner George Steinbrenner and former public-address announcer Bob Sheppard to empty seats at ALCS games to the impending free agency of franchise icon Derek Jeter.

Jeter is expected back for 2011, as is closer Mariano Rivera, also a free agent. New York has done a nice job of mixing in productive homegrown youngsters to go with the veterans—Robinson Cano had an MVP-caliber season, Phil Hughes won 18 games in his first full season as a starter and Brett Gardner ranked in the AL top 10 in on-base percentages, stolen bases and assists—yet the club still needs changes.

A.J. Burnett and Javier Vazquez flopped badly and Andy Pettitte is contemplating retirement, making starting pitching an offseason priority. The Yankees' modest defense and lack of athleticism was exposed during the regular season by the Rays, who beat them out for the AL East division title, and in the playoffs by the Rangers.

The Yankees, who have had MLB's highest payroll in each of the last 12 seasons, have the resources to buy the solutions to their problems. They could pursue free agents Cliff Lee, Carl Crawford and Jayson Werth, and no club can outspend New York for a player it truly wants.

In addition to using their wallet, the Yankees also could use their farm system to improve their big league club. They have the talent and depth to put together attractive trade packages, with three attractive catchers (Jesus Montero, Gary Sanchez, Austin Romine), plenty of up-the-middle talent (Nunez, outfielder Slade Heathcott and 2010 draftees Cito Culver and Mason Williams) and a bevy of righthanded pitchers (Betances, Brackman, Hector Noesi, Nova). The system's only significant shortages appear to be corner bats, where Laird stands out significantly, and lefthanded pitching, where Manny Banuelos is the lone legitimate prospect.

New York also appears inclined to try to build its bench from within, rather than with veteran washouts such as Austin Kearns and Randy Winn. Laird and Nunez could be multipositional reserves in 2011, which would let the Yankees stretch their $200 million budget, if such a thing can be said.

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