New York Yankees’ number 30 prospect, outfielder Trey Amburgey, is under Elite Sports NY’s prospect spotlight this week.
By Christian Kouroupakis
The New York Yankees selected Tommy Wayne Amburgey in the 13th round of the 2015 draft out of St. Petersburg College.
Amburgey was among a number of talented position players taken in the draft last year like Jhalan Jackson, Isiah Gilliam, and Donny Sands.
Picks in the late portion of the draft are considered to be a low-risk/high reward gamble. In most cases relating to prospects taken as last as Amburgey was taken, odds are against them in almost every single way. Despite the odds, Amburgey has become an elite talent in the New York Yankees farm system.
In 58 games between the Staten Island Yankees and GCL Yankees, Amburgey slashed .346/.399/.523 with five home runs, 30 RBI, and 21 stolen bases. In 16 games this season for the Charleston Riverdogs (Single-A), he is slashing .281/.347/.500 with seven stolen bases already.
Amburgey’s above-average speed makes him a constant threat on the base paths but scouts say he misreads fly balls in the outfield and his jumps on batted balls can be improved upon. Here are his scouting grades:
Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 65 | Arm: 45 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45
During his college days, Amburgey manned the centerfield position but in professional ball, he has found himself in the corner spots. His arm strength is considered inconsistent and he’ll remain in left unless his instincts improve enough for him to return to centerfield.
Last August, Amburgey won Player of the Week honors for two straight weeks after hitting .545 in the first week and .452 the next. He is quickly becoming one of the best surprises out of the 2015 draft class.
“He’s carried us. He steps right in and looks like a world beater”, Staten Island manager Pat Osborn said told Baseball Essential. “This kid can hit and play centerfield. He is going to have a big impact for this team down the stretch.”
There are some scouts who stress the importance of Amburgey’s power to develop, but the promise is there especially when he makes consistent contact. MLB Pipeline states that the ball flies off his bat and generates the best exit velocities among New York prospects.
“There are people in Tampa who say that the power is there. Thankful for us it arrived here,” Osborn also said. “I think the Yankees organization is excited to have him.”
Despite being the number 30 prospect, the 21-year old has made his way onto the organization’s radar and will be a name to keep an eye out for in the near future.
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