With the 2023 MLB season in jeopardy, the New York Yankees must look after constructing a better roster for the next season. The first step towards it would be to secure the top prospects. A lot of talent is developing back at the club’s farm system. However, the Rule 5 draft is approaching, which has put the Yanks in a deep fix.
Rule 5 Draft is a yearly event that provides an opportunity for teams to select players from other organizations who are not on their 40-man roster. Once a player is selected, they must remain on the selecting team’s major league roster for the entire season, or they must be offered back to their original team. Amid this, a rising Yankees catcher is garnering a lot of attention.
Yankees Must Secure Catcher Agustin Ramirez Ahead Of Rule 5 Draft
Agustin Ramirez, the New York Yankees catching prospect, has been raking minor league for the past couple of seasons. In just two seasons, the catcher rose up the ranks from Tampa to Hudson Valley to finally Double-A Somerset Patriots. In Low-A this year, Ramirez has hit .245 with seven homers, 35 RBIs, and .780 OPS. His resilience and hard work in the past couple of years have earned him a well-deserved promotion to Double-A. If the catcher manages to finish the season with a high, he could earn an opportunity to secure a roster spot for the next season. It’s because the club might choose to protect Ramirez from the Rule 5 draft. And in order to do that, the club will have to provide the catcher with a spot on the 40-man roster.
Well, clearing up space should not be a problem for the New York Yankees, who have many impending free agents leaving at the end of the year. Luis Severino, Wandy Peralta, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and Harrison Bader will all enter free agency. While IKF and Bader would retain their spot, Severino and Peralta would surely be shown exit doors. Hence, the road to the major league is clear for Agustin Ramirez, and he just needs to maintain consistency to stay in contention for promotion. Ultimately, the decision to create a 40-man roster spot for Ramirez involves evaluating the team’s priorities, goals, and potential impact on both the current and future roster. The team must consider the long-term implications and the potential benefits of adding a promising talent like Ramirez to their ranks.
Catcher Austin Wells Knocking Major League Doors
Meanwhile, another catching prospect is making a strong case for himself for a major league promotion. After facing an early injury setback, the catcher came back with a bang. After hitting .237 with .770 OPS in Double-A, Wells earned a promotion to Triple-A. In 20 games played so far, the backstop has hit .257 with .721 OPS.
The budding catching prospect has a strong arm with high baseball IQ. He has been making a case for himself for a few seasons now. Austin Wells could be up for contention for a promotion during the final stretch of the season. If not, he will surely make an appearance during next season’s spring training.
