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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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Oct 18, 2016; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Scottsdale Scorpions pitcher Dillon Tatte of the New York Yankees against the Surprise Saguaros during an Arizona Fall League game at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2016; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Scottsdale Scorpions pitcher Dillon Tatte of the New York Yankees against the Surprise Saguaros during an Arizona Fall League game at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Dillon Tate, RHP

Birthdate: 5/1/94 (22 years old)
Level(s) Played in 2016: low A
Stats in 2016: 82 1/3 IP, 4.70 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, 8.94 BB%, 18.97 K%

Tate was the most highly-regarded college starter in the 2015 draft and was selected #4 overall due to that based primarily on his two-pitch mix of a plus-plus fastball and a plus slider.

Tate seemed to be worn down as a pro in 2015, which many figured would tick back up in 2016 with a fresh season to pitch. That didn’t happen until he was traded from the Rangers to the Yankees in the Carlos Beltran deal.

(Tate’s) slider is one of the best in the minors when it’s on

At its best, Tate’s fastball touches 99 and sits 92-95. He gets excellent run on the pitch along with solid late dip that’s more of a quick hitch than true sink, but is very effective nonetheless. While he had the same sitting velocity, he couldn’t seem to reach back for the same top-end early in the season, and he also struggled with getting the same movement.

His slider is one of the best in the minors when it’s on, touching 90 MPH, which would make it one of the highest velocity sliders in the minors, along with having tremendous break.

Tate hurt his hamstring early in the season and never seemed to be able to get his legs right the rest of the first half of the season, which hurt his movement.

The Yankees sent Tate to the bullpen and had him working with their staff to rebuild his mechanics after he had developed bad habits due to his injury earlier in the year. His velocity and movement were both back, and he was stretched out longer and longer in his relief appearances, indicating the Yankees intend to move him back to the rotation.

In fact, they did state just that to multiple sources at the AFL, and Tate should have an opportunity at high A in 2017 to re-establish his value and very possibly leap up the system once he gets his mechanics right.

Next: #8

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