Josh Stowers is the prospect the Yankees got in return for Sonny Gray. Here’s what fans need to know about the newest Yankee prospect.
Josh Stowers enters 2019 as the Yankees No. 23 ranked prospect, according to MLB Pipeline. He ranks fifth among the Yankees many talented outfield prospects.
Stowers was drafted in the second round of the 2018 MLB Draft by the Mariners out of the University of Louisville. Stowers is known as a line drive hitter in addition to being an above average base runner.
Josh Stowers
New York Yankees: (Unassigned)
Age: 21
Bats/Throws R/R
6’1″ / 200lbs.
MLB Pipeline Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power : 45 | Run: 55 | Arm: 40 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45
Outfielder Josh Stowers was acquired by the Yankees this off-season in a trade with the Seattle Mariners. The Bombers shipped prospect Shed Long whom they acquired from the Reds for Sonny Gray to Seattle for Stowers in a prospect exchange. 2019 will be Stowers first full season of pro baseball.
The outfielder’s first 58 career minor league games were spent in Single-A short-season Everett. There, he hit .260 with five home runs, 28 RBI’s and stole 20 bases.
If Stowers offensive game develops to its full potential MLB pipeline projects him to be a 12-15 home run hitter who can hit to all fields. The projection draws the comparison of Brett Gardner. An above average base stealer with pop and the ability to hit all fields is precisely the type of player Gardner is, and the Yankees surely would welcome another Gardner to their future plans.
It is unclear what level of the minors Stowers will be assigned to at the start of 2019. He has only played in class A short season but is getting his pro baseball career started later than some at age 21. Thus, if he impresses in spring training, he may start the year in High-A Charleston.
In 2019, Stowers will look to quickly move through the Yankees farm system and move closer to his MLB Pipeline given ETA of 2021.