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MLB rumors: 5 prospects who can help Yankees in 2019

By Rucker Haringey

TAMPA, FL - MARCH 12: Jonathan Loaisiga #67 of the New York Yankees pitches the ball in the first inning during the spring training game against the Baltimore Orioles at Steinbrenner Field on March 12, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - MARCH 12: Jonathan Loaisiga #67 of the New York Yankees pitches the ball in the first inning during the spring training game against the Baltimore Orioles at Steinbrenner Field on March 12, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – AUG 10: Kyle Holder of the Yankees at bat during the Florida State League game between the St. Lucie Mets and the Tampa Yankees on August 10, 2017, at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – AUG 10: Kyle Holder of the Yankees at bat during the Florida State League game between the St. Lucie Mets and the Tampa Yankees on August 10, 2017, at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. Kyle Holder

Holder is a polarizing prospect for a lot of people. If he was only required to play defense he’d be an All-Star in the majors right now. Unfortunately, his lack of a reliable bat causes him to be left off of most prospect rankings entirely.

He spent most of last season with AA Trenton and he only managed to hit .248 with no real power to speak of. His numbers for the Yankees in Spring Training weren’t much better. He only managed to hit .222 in 41 plate appearances with just a single home run. The hit tool just isn’t there for Holder and at 25 years of age that’s a serious concern.

The flip side is that quite a few people inside the Yankees organization feel like he’s a potential gold glover at shortstop. If Holder can ever find a way to scratch out an average season at the plate, he’s going to provide a major league team serious value with his glove work.

His path to the Bronx this season is pretty straight forward. If Troy Tulowitzki can’t handle playing shortstop every day in Didi Gregorius’ absence it’s very possible Holder will head north instead of Tyler Wade. His glove is simply that good.

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