The Yankees have 3 underrated hitting prospects entering 2024
With six Yankees listed among the top 100 prospects by Baseball America heading into the 2024 season, the New York Yankees have a deep farm system.
The organization’s farm system’s depth is what makes it so fascinating. The Yankees hit as well as, if not better than, their pitching, thanks to their underappreciated pitching throughout the system. Yankees supporters of players coming up through the farm system have a ton of skill and versatility throughout the organization to be excited about. Agustin Ramirez may develop into a possible T-100 candidate. In 2023, nobody in the organization made a bigger leap than Agustin Ramirez, the catching prospect. Ramirez was essentially unheard of going into 2023—just another undiscovered player with little buzz or attention. Still, Ramirez wouldn’t have to wait long to establish himself. It only took him 87 games to go from Class A Tampa to Somerset, where he played for the Patriots, by the end of 2023.Ramirez, just 21 years old, has ridiculous raw power, but it also transfers over to game power. In 56 games in Tampa, Ramirez hit seven home runs while also accounting for 35 runs and 35 RBIs, resulting in a 117 wRC+.Following his promotion to Hudson Valley, Ramirez got even better. At High-A, Ramirez played in 27 games, contributing a .384 batting average, a .430 on-base percentage, and a .714 slugging percentage, which resulted in an insane 204 wRC+. The Yankees quickly promoted Agustin to Double-A where he had the chance to start at catcher in the Double-A playoffs. Although struggling, which is expected for a 21-year-old kid, Ramirez has shown tons of promise. If he can adjust to Double-A, where he is expected to start the 2024 season, Ramirez can give the Yankees another t-100 catching prospect in back-to-back years. Jesus Rodriguez gives the Yankees versatility All Jesus Rodriguez has done since he became a New York Yankee is hit. As for any prospect, it’s always a worry if they will perform after their promotion. For Jesus Rodriguez, it hasn’t been a problem. After being promoted from Class-A to Hudson Valley in 2023, Rodriguez didn’t have an issue adjusting to better pitching, hitting .356 with a .464 on-base percentage, a .533 slugging, and . Rodriguez also had almost the same amount of walks as he did strikeouts, showing his elite ability to get on base.
The most intriguing part of Rodriguez’s game is his versatility. While producing at a well above-average rate offensively, Rodriguez split his time in the field at catcher, left field, and first base, but primarily at third base. This past winter, Rodriguez played for Tigres de Aragua in Venezuela, where he also got playing time in center field.
Although expected to start 2024 in Hudson Valley, fans should keep their eye on Rodriguez as he could end his 2024 season in Scranton, just one step away from the show.
Serna adds infield prospect depth
Another name that rounds out the depth of the Yankees’ farm is Jared Serna. Listed at 5-foot-6, 168 pounds per Fangraphs, Serna has serious speed that has resulted in him swiping 70 bags over his three years in the minors. Coming off a solid 2023 and an impressive winter league in Mexico, Serna looks primed to have a big year through the minors in 2024. With power for his size, incredible bat speed, and excellent fielding, the Yankees could be looking at their own version of Jose Altuve.
