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The New York Yankees farm system isn't as loaded as it was before sending Jesus Montero to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for Michael Pineda, but there are still some intriguing prospects. Let's take a look at the week that was (April 15-21) for the Yankees' top prospects, including the terrible start to the season for Dellin Betances.
Pitcher Of The Week: D.J. Mitchell (8 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 Ks, Win)
The 24 year Mitchell is a lower tier prospect in the Yankees' system who projects as a 4/5 starter or middle reliever at the major league level. Not a strikeout pitcher, Mitchell normally relies on his sinker to induce groundouts.
Ironically, in this week's eight inning gem against the Rochester Red Wings Mitchell struck out seven hitters and recorded more fly ball outs than ground ball outs. Something to keep in mind: the Red Wings are one of the worst hitting teams in the International League.
Hitter Of The Week: Tyler Austin (.375, 2 Doubles, 1 Triple, 1 HR, 5 RBIs, 2 SBs, 3 BBs, 4 Ks)
Austin was drafted by the Yankees in the 13th round of 2010, but only played in two games because he broke his wrist. In 2011 he hit six home runs and stole 19 bases while sporting an OBP of well over.400, in 47 games. He has yet to settle into a position as it's unclear whether he'll end up in a corner outfield spot or corner infield spot.
The 20 year old had a nice week, recording a hit in all six games he appeared in, including three multi-hit games. His 2012 trip slash line of .404/.467/.854 coming into Sunday's action is very impressive.
Top Prospect Spotlight: Dellin Betances
Betances is widely regarded as one of the Yankees top prospects, but he's yet to perform like it this season. He appeared in two games this week, pitched nine innings, allowed seven earned runs and walked 10, while only striking out seven batters.
On the season, Betances sports a horrendous 8.83 ERA and opposing hitters are batting .296 against him – 44 points higher than the collective average in the International League.
Betances' BABIP is a bit high early in the season, which suggests he may have been the victim of a little bad luck thus far. Either way, he's performed very poorly and walking 17 batters in 17.1 innings this season has nothing to do with luck.
Top Prospect Spotlight: Gary Sanchez
Like Betances, Sanchez is considered one of the Yankees best prospects – arguably the best bat in their system – but unlike Betances, Sanchez is having a nice start to the 2012 campaign.
Sanchez appeared in six games for the Charleston RiverDogs this week, hitting .407 with four doubles and four stolen bases. Speed has never been a part of Sanchez's game, but he's 5-5 in stolen base attempts this season. He only had two steals all of last season.
On the year Sanchez is batting .356/.415/.458 with six doubles. In 2011 he hit 17 bombs, but has yet to go deep in 2012. Many compare him to former Yankees catching prospect, Jesus Montero, including the fact that he's not Brad Ausmus behind the plate.
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