New York Yankees: International signings enhance loaded farm system

The Yankees may be one of the few contending teams next season thanks to its recent offseason moves. But they still possess arguably the best farm system in the league.

With the recent offseason moves, it’s clear that the New York Yankees want to win now. And they ultimately want to recreate the championship dynasty they had with the “Core Four.”

But it doesn’t mean the front office forgot about the future.

New York signed two propitious prospects Venezuelan outfielder Raimfer Salinas and catcher Antonio Cabello on Friday. The two join Dominican shortstop Ronny Rojas and Venezuelan duo Everson Pereira and Roberto Chirinos as international prospects to sign with the Yankees this year.

All of the highly-touted prospects are young, so fans won’t see them in the big leagues for a while – or ever. However, not many other teams can gloat about having a handful of promising players from this year’s international class.

Cabello’s best attribute might be his versatility. Since he’s still just 17 years old, he’s spent time behind the plate, at second and in the outfield. Cabello boasts a strong arm and bulky figure. Scouts also lauded his patience at the dish.

Salinas, on the other hand, is a smaller, swifter player, spending most of his time in the outfield. Scouts mentioned he has the capability of being a five-tool player, though his speed outweighs his power offensively.

Both players are tough, athletic competitors. They have experience in international tournaments, matching up against some of the best prospects Latin America has.

With the signings, New York now has six of Baseball America’s top-30 international prospects from this year’s class. The lone player not mentioned thus far is Dominican outfielder Anthony Garcia, who possesses a tall, sizable frame.

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All of the players the Yankees signed are fielders, though.

But they will complement some of the younger pitchers in the farm system, such as Luis Medina and Matt Sauer. Juan De Paula is another 20-year-old still finding himself in the minor leagues.

The American League East has feasted on the Latin American countries this year. Half of Baseball America’s top-20 prospects signed with AL East clubs.

But New York didn’t just recently discover the talent embedded in these countries. Much of the farm system already boasts prodigious players from the region.

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And with the newcomers from the 2017 class, the Yankees added even more skillful weapons into their already-spectacular farm system.