According to a recent Bleacher Report ranking, the Yankees' farm system has been rated the No. 1 group in all of Major League Baseball, with the Braves, Brewers, White Sox and Dodgers rounding out the top-five in order.
A number of analysts and minor league experts have lauded the Yankees for both their decision to head in a rebuilding direction, as well as the specific players with which the club acquired to get from point-A to point-B, thanks to a host of promising moves made by Yankees general manager Brian Cashman.
"The emergence of Gleyber Torres during the Arizona Fall League cemented the New York Yankees place at No. 1 on this list, otherwise, the Atlanta Braves might have unseated them. Torres hit a ridiculous .403/.513/.645 with more walks (14) than strikeouts (8) to claim AFL MVP honors and, he just turned 20 years old last month," wrote Joel Reuter.
"Justus Sheffield still takes top billing among the team's pitching prospects, but a strong late-season return from elbow issues and an impressive showing in the AFL has James Kaprielian nipping at his heels," Reuter continued.
On both sides of the ball, the Yankees farm system is flush with blue-chip talent at a wide range of positions. The outfield is perhaps the most loaded position group, and it features a formidable group of power-hitting youngsters looking to establish a role for themselves at the Major League level with the Bronx Bombers.
By now, most Yankees fans are well aware of the name Gleyber Torres, a player who was once rated the No. 1 prospect in a loaded Cubs organization prior to last year's trade deadline. His youth, diverse skill set and maturity have helped catapult him to the top of several preseason prospect rankings, including Bleacher Report's latest list, and is what makes him one of the most exciting young players developing today.
The man who helped turn the Yankees farm system into the juggernaut it is today -- Brian Cashman -- will appear live on YES Network for an all-new episode of Yankees Hot Stove, premiering Monday, January 9, at 7:00pm EST. Tune in as he breaks down the team's offseason transactions so far, and which moves might still be on the horizon as the countdown to Opening Day 2017 continues.