The New York Yankees “Baby Bombers” of 2017 were in large part a bust thanks to Gary Sanchez and Greg Bird. Aaron Judge became one of the league’s best players and Luis Severino has been a great pitcher when healthy.
In 2015, they ranked in four of the top seven spots for Yankee prospects. Severino was first, Judge was second, Bird was fourth and Sanchez was seventh. There was a time that Sanchez looked like the best of the baby bombers in 2016. He burst on the scene and hit 16 home runs in around two months. Bird was good when healthy, but injuries derailed him. This group was sold to Yankee fans as the following core four. They were supposed to win several championships, but the furthest they made it was to game seven vs the Houston Astros in the ALCS.
Maybe the New York Yankees next wave of Baby Bombers can make a difference
Fast forward five years and they still can’t get past Houston. The furthest they’ve now gone in six games against them. Bird is in Triple-A and Sanchez was traded to the Minnesota Twins. Severino and Judge remain for now. This group has gone backward and now they have the threat of losing Judge in free agency. The Baby bombers of 2017 ultimately failed.
Now there is a new group of prospects that could be better than the 2017 group. It starts with shortstop Anthony Volpe who has a similar story to Derek Jeter. Volpe is a hometown kid who grew up in New Jersey rooting for the Yankees. Oswald Peraza is also a shortstop who got a taste of MLB action this year, Jasson Dominguez could be the best outfield prospect the Yanks have ever had. Austin Wells has the type of swing that could hit 30-40 home runs at Yankee Stadium, but his defense as a catcher has been questioned. Everson Pereira could be a five-tool player as an outfielder.
The age of this group is what makes it exciting. Volpe is 21 years old and could be in the big picture this year. Peraza is 22 and could be the starting shortstop next year. Dominguez is just 19 years old and was the best player during the Somerset Patriots championship run. Wells is the oldest of the bunch at 23 because he went to college. Pereira is 21 years old and could move up to Triple-A next year if he stays healthy. All of these guys could be in the Bronx within the next two years.
If Aaron Judge leaves this group will be looked at as the transition. This could be similar to when the Yanks did a quick rebuild in the 2016 season. The New York Yankees will always have the talent they need to utilize it properly and let these kids play. Don’t hold them back because of service time.