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New York Yankees Top 10 Prospects For 2017

By Benjamin Chase

Mar 18, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; A view of the field and the New York Yankees logo before the game between the Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles at George M. Steinbrenner Field. The Orioles defeat the Yankees 11-2. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; A view of the field and the New York Yankees logo before the game between the Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles at George M. Steinbrenner Field. The Orioles defeat the Yankees 11-2. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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6. Justus Sheffield, LHP

Birthdate: 5/13/96 (20 years old)
Level(s) Played in 2016: high A, AA
Stats in 2016: 125 1/3 IP, 3.09 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 10.08 BB%, 24.52 K%

Justus and brother Jordan Sheffield are certainly pitchers that have established themselves as future major leaguers. Justus was having a very solid season for high-A Lynchburg in the Carolina League.

Then the Indians trade Sheffield as part of their deal to acquire Andrew Miller, and he simply dominated both the Florida State League and one start in AA, going 6 starts, striking out 36 over 30 innings with a 1.50 ERA.

Sheffield is not the biggest guy at 5’10, but he’s worked to develop excellent plane on his pitches through a higher arm slot

Sheffield has an excellent fastball with tremendous movement at the 92-94 range, touching 96. His curve is a swing-and-miss pitch that frequently breaks multiple planes in its path to the plate.

Sheffield is not the biggest guy at 5’10, but he’s worked to develop excellent plane on his pitches through a higher arm slot. That higher arm slot has led to some mechanical issues as Sheffield has advanced as a pro, but that delivery has become extremely clean and repeatable.

Sheffield will most likely start the season at AA, and if his change continues to make the progress it did in 2016, he could be a very highly regarded pitching prospect in 2017.

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