There was a time when Manny Banuelos was one of the top prospects in baseball. A member of the New York Yankees farm system, he was a consensus top 30 prospect heading into the 2012 season, someone that was expected to turn into a top of the rotation arm. However, that never happened as Banuelos was unable to live up to his potential.
Now, after a journey that involved multiple countries and organizations, Banuelos is back. The Yankees have signed the former top prospect to a minor league contract.
Seeing that the Yankees signed LHP Manny Banuelos to a minor league deal. The 30-year-old was a top five Yankees prospect, and a top 100 MLB prospect in 2010. Has bounced around teams the past few years, including stints in China and Mexico.
— Eli Fishman (@elijfishman) January 10, 2022
New York Yankees bring Manny Banuelos back
Banuelos had been traded to the Braves prior to the start of the 2015 season, bringing back David Carpenter and Chasen Shreve. He then bounced around, spending time in the Angels, Dodgers, White Sox, and Mariners organizations. Banuelos also spent time in Mexico and the Chinese Professional Baseball League in a desperate quest to find the form that made him a top prospect.
He has managed to get some time in the majors amongst his baseball odyssey. Banuelos has not exactly impressed in those chances, posting a 6.31 ERA and a 1.753 WHiP in his 77 innings, striking out 63 batters while issuing 45 walks and allowing 16 homers. That performance was not going to lead to many opportunities.
Maybe a return home will help. He had found his greatest success in the Yankees’ minor leagues, developing into a top prospect. It is entirely possible that a return to that environment will change the trajectory of his career.
The Yankees do need help. Depth is sorely needed in both the rotation and bullpen. If Banuelos can get his stuff under control and find a way to limit the home run, he could be an option. But that is a big if.
The New York Yankees have brought back Manny Banuelos. The former top prospect is hoping to finally establish himself in the majors.