Baby Bombers: Top Yankees Prospects to Watch This Season

3. Clayton Beeter

Though not a highly-touted prospect, Clayton Beeter has shown promise as a reliable starter. After recording a rare three-pitch inning in his MLB debut (and only appearance thus far in the majors) against the Astros on March 29, the 25-year-old has pitched very well in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, putting up a 3-1 record with a 2.89 ERA. He also has a strong K/BB ratio of 41/16 in 28 innings, mostly thanks to a wicked slider that has a tendency to generate tons of swings and misses.

Beeter has struggled with his other pitches though, and he needs to improve at working deeper into games. Accordingly, he may be better off switching to a relief role rather than remaining a starter. And although he does have great numbers, his command and control could definitely improve. If Beeter zones in on his good pitches and focuses on refining his location, he has a good shot to see some success as a reliever for the Yanks.

2. Chase Hampton

The 22-year-old out of Texas Tech showed a lot of upside in his pro debut last season. Chase Hampton flat-out bullied hitters at times at High-A Hudson Valley and Double-A Somerset. Between those two levels, he struck out 145 batters in 106 2/3 innings. He has multiple dominant pitches: a fastball that touches 97 mph with a very high spin rate, complemented by a hard slider and a darting cutter. He also wields a curveball and a changeup, which are not as effective as his primary pitches.

The 2022 sixth-round draft pick is yet another example of the Yankees’ knack for finding legitimate pitching talent in the later rounds. Hampton has a lot of potential but has yet to make his season debut due to injury. Depending on when he returns, in addition to how well he pitches, there is a serious chance that Hampton sees time on the major league roster this season.

1. Jasson Domínguez

This is the guy Yankees and baseball fans have been waiting on for years. Jasson Domínguez is arguably the most hyped international prospect of all time, and he showed why in 2023. After hitting .419 in nine games in Triple-A, he hit a home run off Justin Verlander in his MLB debut. Though he may not be the five-tool player he was once touted as, his natural athleticism and raw power is more than impressive. There is generally zero doubt about his future as a star in the majors.

Unfortunately for the Yankees, Domínguez tore his UCL after eight games in The Show, limiting his playing time in 2024. However, he did begin rehab with Single-A Tampa on Tuesday, so barring an injury or regression, Domínguez will almost certainly return to the roster at some point this season. The No. 32 prospect in baseball still has to work on plate discipline, as well as his reactions/reads in the outfield if he wishes to remain in center. But otherwise, Domínguez has the talent to thrive in the Bronx for a long time. And he’s only 21. The Yankees have every reason to be excited about the return of the Martian later this season.

Honorable Mention: Spencer Jones

When talking about the Yankees’ top prospects, how could you not talk about Spencer Jones? The towering outfielder is probably New York’s most exciting prospect behind Domínguez, and it’s easy to see why. Unfazed by his large frame, Jones plays decent defense, but his main weapon is his sensational bat skills. Many have hailed him as a left-handed Aaron Judge, and it’s easy to see why. Though Jones has a sky-high ceiling, it’s doubtful that he’ll see much time, if any, with the Yankees in 2024.