Evaluating the New York Yankees' farm system

While the Toronto Blue Jays farm system has improved slightly this year, there's still some room for improvement. While Toronto has prospects like Arjun Nimella (MLB Pipeline's No. 87 prospect), Trey Yesavage (No. 88), and Alan Roden, they're still looking up at most of the division.

With that in mind, here's a look at how Toronto's farm system stacks up against the Yankees.

This is story is part of a series analyzing the farm system for each team in the American League East.

New York Yankees (Divisional Rank: 5)

The Yankees’ farm system may not have much substance, but it does have some exciting high-ceiling prospects. While some of these guys could be All-Stars, there's also a chance they could flame out.

The Strengths: High-ceiling talent

Jasson Domínguez (OF): The Martian

At the top of the Yankees’ farm system sits Domínguez, who is nicknamed “The Martian” for his otherworldly athleticism.

Signed for $5.1 million as a 16-year-old, Domínguez has been touted as the next generational superstar, and earned comparisons to Mickey Mantle and Mike Trout playing in a professional game. He showed flashes of brilliance in his brief MLB debut in 2023 (he homered off Justin Verlander in his first MLB at-bat) but a devastating UCL tear that required Tommy John surgery has pumped the brakes on his rise.

His potential remains sky-high, but that injury has introduced an element of uncertainty that makes his future a bit cloudy. He could be theYankees Opening Day left fielder.

Spencer Jones (OF): Aaron Judge 2.0?

Jones is another major prospect in the system, a towering 6-foot-6 outfielder who has drawn endless comparisons to Aaron Judge. With light-tower power and impressive speed for his size, Jones has the raw tools to be an impact player in the Bronx.

However, he has a strikeout rate of over 40 percent last year in the minors and could end up becoming another power-over-contact slugger who struggles against elite pitching if he doesn't refine his approach. Jones is also likely to start this year on the big league roster.

Everson Pereira (OF): Boom or bust?

The Yankees also have Pereira, an outfielder who was fast-tracked to the majors but struggled mightily against big-league pitching (.151 average in 27 games with the Yankees in 2023). He has pop, speed, and is a good defender, but he could find himself overshadowed in the system if he doesn't make adjustments at the plate. His 2024 numbers were strong in the minors (10 home runs in 40 games) but the log-jam in the outfield might keep him out of the majors for another year.

Roderick Arias (SS): The next big thing?

Arias is one of the most intriguing young names in the Yankees' pipeline as a switch-hitting shortstop with elite defensive skills and speed. Signed for $4 million in 2022, he has all the tools to be a game-changer, but is just 19. The Yankees have not developed a homegrown superstar shortstop since Derek Jeter. While it’s far too early to anoint Arias as the next franchise icon, the upside is there.

The Weaknesses: Pitching depth and development issues

For a team that prides itself on dominant pitching, the Yankees' farm system is surprisingly light on elite arms. The Yankees have struggled to develop dominant homegrown pitchers in recent years, relying instead on expensive free-agent arms like Gerrit Cole. Without a clear future ace in the system, they may be forced to continue spending big to maintain a competitive rotation.

Will Warren (RHP) – The best of a weak group

Warren is one of their more promising young arms, thanks to a nasty sinker-slider combo, but he projects more as a mid-rotation starter than a future Cy Young candidate. The Yankees really need him to get ready quick, as getting him MLB-ready would help prevent a repeat of last year's World Series.

Chase Hampton (RHP): Sleeper prospect

Hampton is another name to watch, as he posted an impressive 13.4 K/9 rate in 2023, but his durability remains a question mark. He probably has the best strikeout stuff in the Yankees system.

Best-Case Scenario: The next core?

If Domínguez, Jones, and Arias continue to develop, they could end up tormenting the rest of the AL East for the next decade. If they produce then no one around the Yankees is going to complain about needing to get pitchers in free agency.

Worst-Case Scenario: Overhyped and overpaid

But if those top prospects stall out, the Yankees may find themselves trapped in an endless cycle of overpaying for aging free agents rather than cultivating sustainable, long-term success. Domínguez stalling out would be a major problem and Jones need to sort out his plate discipline so he doesn't end up like Joey Gallo instead of Aaron Judge.

Final Verdict: The Yankees’ farm system is thin despite having some top-end talent

Ultimately the Yankees' farm system has high-end talent but lacks depth.

In an era where teams like Baltimore are developing young stars at an alarming rate, the Yankees need to improve their ability to nurture homegrown talent rather than just relying on their wallet. If they don’t, they could find themselves spending billions just to keep up in a division that’s getting younger, and faster by the day.