Yankees Prospects I'll be watching this year...

In the past few years, the Yankees have seen their farm system greatly improve from the early 2000's. Since 2005, the Yanks have put a great emphasis on the draft and international scouting. It also helps that they are keeping their draft picks (minus this year *cough*Soriano*cough*) and putting a premium on them. They are also gambling later in the draft and taking players who have strong college commitments and using their financial might to lure them to sign. Since they are usually picking at the end of the first round, this is the best way to get potential impact players.

While most eyes will be on Jesus Montero's pending arrival and the Killer B's (Banuelos, Brackman, Betances) development, I'll be closely watching Class A Charleston, as two of my favorite prsopects will be suiting up for them.

First and foremost, Gary Sanchez. The next in line of big-time Yankees catching prospects, he tore it up in his first pro season. If you take a look at the back of his baseball card, he was born in 1992. And he won't be turning 19 until December. He projects to have a similar bat to Montero while being quite a bit better defensively. I don't go out and hoard rookie cards, but I won't lie, I picked up three of his 2010 Bowman Chromes.

Another prospect to watch in Charleston is CF Slade Heathcott. He was the Yankees first round pick in 2009 and is a toolsy outfielder, something that the farm system lacks as a whole. He showed a strong abaility to get on base last year - .359 clip, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him put it all together this year.

Other names to remember: Graham Stoneburner, Hector Noesi, Mason Williams, Melky Mesa