PROSPECT: Aaron Palensky, OF, New York Yankees
ANALYSIS: An undrafted free agent signing after the shortened 2020 draft, Palensky was a college hitter that likely would have been drafted in the 7th through 10th rounds by someone coming off a productive career at the Univerisity of Nebraska.
The Yankees started Palensky at Double-A in 2021, but he stumbled in the assignment. He was demoted to High-A Hudson Valley in 2022 and got himself back on track, more and more as the season went along, closing with a .285/.410/.523 slash from June 1 through the end of the season with 20 extra-base hits and a 14% walk rate and a 25% strikeout rate while playing a strong corner outfield.
The Yankees opened Palensky in Hudson Valley again this season, but he earned a promotion to Double-A on May 30. Since the promotion, he's slashed .293/.483/.561 with two home runs and five steals along with a 12/8 BB/K ratio over 60 plate appearances.
VERDICT: Palensky's certainly found something, but what that will translate to at the major league level is anyone's guess. He's a corner outfielder without a ton of power, so his chances as a starter are limited, and his lack of ability to handle center could keep him from being a fourth outfielder. No need to roster him yet, but there's something here to keep an eye on.
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