3 Yankees Who Won't Make the Team Out of Spring Training But Probably Should

The New York Yankees are still the prohibitive AL favorites, but talk to us again when they lose another 12 core pieces before April 1 and we'll reassess.

Down Aaron Judge, Luis Severino, James Paxton, Giancarlo Stanton, and potentially Gary Sanchez as Spring Training winds down, there are plenty of roles still up for grab, though odds are you've heard of the first wave of replacements -- Clint Frazier, welcome home.

But several spring standouts likely won't get the same chance to fill in, even though they've been working overtime and deserve recognition.

3. Thomas Milone

The Yankees' outfield depth famously goes a level beyond their All-Stars, but guys like Milone have opened eyes in camp this year, though he'll head to Scranton at the season's start. The 25-year-old with no big league experience, but the heart of a champion, is hitting .300 with a homer in 20 at-bats this spring.

2. Ben Heller

We've seen enough of Ben Heller over the years to know that he has the highest ceiling of the Yankees' minor-league bullpen options, bringing a snapdragon slider to the table (before rolling it directly off said table). Heller's been battling a back issue, but all we'd need to see from him is a game or two before giving the thumbs up. Unfortunately, we don't see that happening, with a lower-ceiling option like David Hale probably making the trip north.

1. Clarke Schmidt

The Yankees' top pitching prospect has whiffed eight in seven innings with a 2.57 ERA against top competition. Jonathan Loaisiga has looked phenomenal, but has mostly faced off with C-squads. Why shouldn't the 24-year-old Schmidt make the Opening Day rotation? He won't, but why shouldn't he?