Prospects that just miss the Top 40 list

That's Tyler Wade, about the slap a tag down (I think).

I have recently begun working on the system's top 40 prospects, and realized that are several prospects that I really liked but haven't done enough to earn a spot on the list. This article will give a brief overview on those players. These players are all noteworthy and have a good chance to make future organization rankings.

SS Tyler Wade, 19: Wade was considered the fourth best ss prospect in the Yankees GCL league, but that isn't to say he doesn't have promising potential. Wade showed good hitting ability in his first season in the GCL with an OBP of .429, But he will need to grow into more power. Most of Wade's hits last year were singles, so he would have to bulk up to even be a doubles hitter.

Besides for his low power potential Wade seems to be a well rounded player, as he has decent speed, he stole 11 bases in his debut, and he is a good defender. With that combination of tools it's possible he becomes a good prospect even without power. With that said he is only 19 and still has time to add muscle. It isn't clear where he will start in 2014, but Staten Island seems like a good bet.

LHP Daniel Camarena, 21: Camarena was an over-slot signing in 2011, as the lefty was paid $335,000 to break his college commitment. Camarena is currently a three pitch pitcher (fastball, curveball, and changeup) and has great command and control. Camarena only walked 19 batters in 112 innings last year. If his fastball was just a little bit harder, he would have an extraordinary ceiling, as both of his secondary pitches are plus pitches. His fastball rarely reaches 90-91, and generally sits in the 86-89 range.

Camarena will begin the 2014 season in Tampa, and if he develops another offering, or gains another mile or two on his fastball he will really fly through the system. Hopefully, he continues to perform the way he was in the second half of last season, because the Yankees could really use a big breakout season from a lefty starter.

OF Leonardo Molina, 16: Molina was the Yankees big international free agent signing last year, and is thought to have the best raw tools in his class. His 6.49 60 yard dash makes him one of the systems fastest prospects. This plus speed translates well on defense, as Molina has great range in center. His bat is a bit more questionable, but he should become a good hitter, and at least have doubles power in the future. We will learn much more about this young player as spring training comes to an end and he is assigned to a team. He will either start in the GCL or DSL.

LHP Evan Rutckyj 22: Rutckyj is a 6-foot-5, 213-pound left handed pitcher out of Ontario, Canada. Rutckyj was a two sport athlete in Canada, as he was also a hockey player. He hadn't even become a full time baseball pitcher until he was seventeen years old. The Yankees knew they had a project on their hands and so far Rutckyj has been a bit underwhelming. However, he does throw hard, and has two decent secondary pitches (a slider and a changeup). If he could fix his control problems he would become a major success story for the system.

RHP Jairo Heredia 24: Heredia is kind of a forgotten prospect at this point. This partly due to missing the entire 2012 season and spending a good portion of 2013 recovering from his shoulder surgery. Heredia has a good three pitch combo. He throws a fastball, a curveball, and a changeup. He once had a very good curveball, fastball combination, though he may have lost some velocity due to his shoulder problems. If he is finally healthy he should begin the season in AA, and could quickly put himself back onto the prospect map.

RHP Joey Maher 21, LHP Chaz Hebert 21, RHP Jordan Cote 21: I feel that these players are all similar in the sense that put up good numbers, or show glimpses of talent, but they're developing relatively slowly. I feel that Maher is the best of this group, but anyone of these players could breakout next season. The biggest challenge this trio will face is playing time, as they are bit old for the NYPL, but are too inexperienced for the sally league.

**********

Josh Sabo is a Minor League writer for Yanks Beat Blog.