3 Yankees Top Prospects Who Could Make Opening Day Roster if Minor League Season is Cancelled

Positive news has emerged in April about the potential to play an actual 2020 MLB season, but there has been nothing of the sort when it comes to minor league baseball. A rumor emerged this week that all of the MiLB seasons would be cancelled, though ESPN insider Jeff Passan responded by saying an official decision has not yet been made.

The logistics of playing minor league games are difficult and it already seems like MLB teams will have expanded rosters if, and hopefully when, a season is played. If minor league seasons are cancelled, that means top prospects will be all the more likely to latch onto MLB rosters. The New York Yankees are a team that could add some pitching depth and let some prospects shine sooner than expected. With that in mind, let's look at three top prospects who could make an expanded Opening Day roster.

3. Clarke Schmidt

Schmidt is the No. 2 ranked prospect in the Yankees system by MLB.com. The right-handed starting pitcher made it up to Double-A in 2019 after being the team's top pick in 2017. He had Tommy John surgery that year, which is why his rise has been slowed. The 24-year-old had 102 strikeouts in 90.2 innings last year and was a starter in 18 of his 19 outings. Schmidt could be a bullpen arm or even get spot starts during any doubleheaders in the condensed season.

2. Michael King

New York Yankees pitcher Michael King reached the majors in 2019. / Carmen Mandato/Getty Images

King is ranked No. 25 in the pipeline, and made his MLB debut last season by pitching two innings of relief. He joined the Yankee organization during the 2017 offseason and rose up through the ranks. Some injuries limited him to 46 innings in 11 minor league outings last year, but he averaged just over 150 innings the previous two seasons. The right-hander got his initial shot in 2019 and should be a lock to make and expanded roster. He has a notable knack for forcing batters into groundouts.

1. Deivi Garcia

New York Yankees pitcher Deivi Garcia is one of the top prospects in the system. / Mark Brown/Getty Images

Garcia is the No. 3 prospect for New York and is still only 20 years old. He rose up all the way to Triple-A last season and had a 4.28 ERA in 111.1 innings across three different levels. He signed as a teenager in 2015 and stands only 5-9, but he had 165 strikeouts last season and is known for a dominant curveball that is tough to hit. He would be a great fit in the bullpen as he continues to develop at such a young age.