Things aren't look good for the Yanks' minor league system...from Newsday -

 

Duncan could be headed downward

 

JIM BAUMBACH

 

May 26, 2006

 

 

Eric Duncan, the Yankees' top position-player prospect, is in Tampa these days rehabbing a lower back strain that has kept him on the shelf for two weeks. He's about a week from returning, but where he is headed, the Yankees can't say for certain.

 

Team officials are contemplating sending Duncan, who has struggled at Triple-A Columbus, to Double-A Trenton, a demotion they would be likely to say is necessary because of the sudden influx of major-league journeymen at Columbus.

 

But such a move also would send a message of concession, essentially saying the 21-year-old first baseman isn't ready to succeed at Columbus. And with the trading season about to begin, this is the worst possible time to send that message to the baseball world.

 

The Yankees will be in the market for pitching help, and perhaps a leftfielder, too, and the teams that will be sellers will be looking for major league-ready talent.

 

At the start of the season, Duncan might have been the Yankees' minor-league position player who most closely fit the bill. But his stock surely has dropped, given that he has hit .209 (23-for-110) with six RBIs in 31 games. Rated by Baseball America as the organization's top power hitter, he has no home runs, and his slugging percentage (.255) is lower than his on-base percentage (.279).

 

"Obviously the numbers aren't where I want them to be, but I was feeling good, getting productive at-bats," Duncan said. "It wasn't one of those things where I was lost."

 

Yankees officials correctly point out that Duncan is one of the youngest hitters in the International League, and all of Triple-A, so they're not down on their 2003 first-round pick. But the fact that they are considering a demotion is telling.

 

When Yankees minor-league head Mark Newman was asked if Duncan will return to Columbus, he said, "We'll make that call when he's ready to play." When Duncan was asked the same question yesterday, he said, "I imagine so, but I don't know for certain."

 

The Yankees, by all accounts, had a strong amateur draft last year; the farm system has earned rave reviews for its low-to-mid-level talent. But it still lacks major league-ready talent needed to acquire a Barry Zito, Dontrelle Willis or Alfonso Soriano.

 

Phil Hughes, who turns 20 next month, the Yankees' 2004 first-round pick, now is pitching for Double-A Trenton. He is the player most teams covet, with good reason. He throws a mid-90s fastball and was so impressive in spring training that some players thought he could be up this year.

 

The Yankees, under Brian Cashman's build-from-within philosophy, want to hold on to Hughes as long as they can. If so, they could be hard-pressed to make a big move by the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline because of their lack of high-level chips.

 

Like Duncan, righthander Matt DeSalvo has taken a step backward. He had a strong spring training, opening the eyes of the Yankees' major-league coaches, but he's been sent to the Columbus bullpen "to get his confidence back," Newman said. In eight starts, DeSalvo went 1-5 with a 7.56 ERA, allowing 39 hits and 27 walks in 33 1/3 innings.

 

Teams inquired about lefthander Sean Henn last year, but he has little trade value now. He went on the disabled list after only three starts because of pain in the back of his shoulder and made his first rehab start in extended spring training Wednesday.

 

Duncan, meanwhile, said his back was tight for a while, then locked on a checked swing against Norfolk May 12. He hit off a tee for the first time Wednesday and expects to begin batting practice any day. He wouldn't cite the injury as a reason for his difficulties.

 

Duncan hopes to remain a Yankee beyond the trade deadline, saying he believes he's a "perfect fit" in this organization. "I would love to stay with this team," he said, "but whatever happens will be for the best. I think you have to look at it that way."

Yanks prospects are NOT good!!!!

 

Although a couple worked out (B. Williams, Jeter, Lowell, Soriano, Cano)....most of them are over-rated!

Yanks prospects are NOT good!!!!

 

Although a couple worked out (B. Williams, Jeter, Lowell, Soriano, Cano)....most of them are over-rated!

 

The gap between Soriano and Cano was about 5 years. That's their main problem.

I'd take Duncan off their hands if the price was right.

They've got a nice, young arm in Phil Hughes

 

I hope he gets a chance...than again, who am I kidding.

Phil Hughes is the second best pitching prospect in baseball.

 

Jose Tabata is the best player in the minors at his age.

 

Melky Cabrera is hitting .310 in the majors.

 

The Yankee system is very top heavy. They have two of the elite prospects in the game (Hughes, Tabata) and not much after that (other than Brett Gardner, Austin Jackson, Steven White, J. Brent Cox, CJ Henry, Kevin Thompson). That is all.

My god Tabata is going to be sick if he keeps up this pace of development

 

Isn't he 16 or 17?

Jose Tabata is now 17, and playing in A-ball.

 

Hitting .338/391/519.

 

He actually shows great power potential, especially for a guy who really stands to put on some muscle. He's a legit 5 tool prospect.

 

Like I said, the kid is an ELITE prospect. The best player at his age.

 

If I'm the Yankees, I would have to get a king's ransom to trade Phil Hughes or Jose Tabata.

Phil Hughes is the second best pitching prospect in baseball.

 

 

what about billingsley, lester, zumaya, bailey, etc?

Hughes is better than all of them, in my opinion. Just look at their numbers, ages, and stuff closer.

 

Bailey would be the best of the crop if he ever learned how to harness his stuff, but that has yet to happen.

 

Of course, analyzing prospects is quite possibly the hardest thing to do in baseball, however, Hughes at the very worst is a top 5 pitcher in the minor leagues.

Bryan, you forgot CJ Henry.

 

In my mind, there is nothing wrong with a top-3 of Hughes, Henry and Tabata. Anyone who wouldn't take those three is out of their minds.

Of curse they have no inner talent. They win the division almost every year pracically coming in first all the time. That means they will end up with lower picks per draft. Obviously though they will strike gold like Jeter and Cano, because of good scouts and because of prmoising first picks that work out