Manny Banuelos, LHP: Prospect Profile

Written by Greg Fertel | 03 April 2010

Manny Banuelos

Prior to the 2008 season, the Yankees signed two players out of Mexico as international free agents. At the time, not much was known about them, but it seems that the Yankees' scouts did a phenomenal job of finding talent with those two pickups. The first signing was Alfredo Aceves, who was a polished 25-year-old at the time. He has already contributed to a World Series victory and should continue to be a cog in the bullpen for seasons to come.

The second signing was a sixteen year old left handed pitcher named Manny Banuelos. When discussing Zach McAllister, I mentioned his ideal pitcher's build. Well, Banuelos certainly doesn't have that. He stands at just 5'10" and weights only 155 pounds. There will always be questions about whether Banuelos's body can hold up to pitching 200 innings in a season, but we can certainly hope.

After signing, Banuelos spent most of the 2008 season in extended spring training. While there, he impressed everyone in the Yankees organization. When the Gulf Coast League started up, the Yankees sent him there to work on pitching in real competition. Banuelos appeared in twelve games but only started three. Don't let that fool you, though. He pitched at least three innings in almost all of his appearances and had some early professional success. His strikeout rate left something to be desired(7.9), but hopes were high for Banuelos at the end of the season.

Spending much of the 2009 season at 18-years-old, I don't think anyone could have expected a better season from the young lefty. He carved through the SAL and made a name for himself as one of the better left-handed pitching prospects in the game. He never walked more than three batters in a start, and only gave up more than three earned runs in one game.

Year	Age	Tm	G	GS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	WHIP	H/9	HR/9	BB/9	SO/9	SO/BB
2008	17	Yankees	12	3	42.0	32	14	12	3	13	37	1.071	6.9	0.6	2.8	7.9	2.85
2009	18	Charleston	25	19	108.0	88	40	32	4	28	104	1.074	7.3	0.3	2.3	8.7	3.71
2009	18	Tampa	1	0	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0.000	0.0	0.0	0.0	18.0
2 Seasons			38	22	151.0	120	54	44	7	41	143	1.066	7.2	0.4	2.4	8.5	3.49

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 4/3/2010.

This lends credence to the highest praise you hear about Banuelos, which is that he pitches with the maturity of a major league veteran. Usually, that is not the type of report I'd like to hear about a top prospect. I prefer to hear that a guy has overpowering and dominant stuff, because it is less subjective. In the case of Banuelos, though, the reports are so glowing about his demeanor on the mound that they cannot, and should not be ignored.

Here are a few examples of this praise, from scouts Mike Newman and Frankie Piliere, respectively:

Uncanny for his age, Banuelos showed the maturity and composure of a pitcher in New York, not Charleston pinstripes. Armed with a quiet confidence, he was in control throughout the game and was only in trouble once.

The stuff is above average, but when you consider the advanced feel he has for pitching and the often pinpoint command he possesses it's amazing that he's still only 18. He pitches with such ease and attacks hitters with such a calm demeanor, that he can be a front-of-the-rotation pitcher in the majors a few years from now.

Scouting Report

As I mentioned, Banuelos doesn't display overpowering stuff, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have a good repertoire. His fastball is clocked anywhere from 87-93, but he usually sits in the 89-90 zone. His fastball has late life and sneaks up on hitters, which it makes it effective even without top notch velocity. His excellent command doesn't hurt either.

Banuelos's best pitch is probably his changeup. He doesn't hesitate to throw it at any point in the count, can throw it where he wants, and it is his primary out pitch. He also throws a good curveball, but needs to continue working on his command of it.

Combine his above average repertoire with his poise on the mound and makeup, and it's very easy to see why people are so excited about Banuelos. Most have him as the Yankees top pitching prospect over McAllister, but I'm not sure I see it that way.

Banuelos has a higher upside but still doesn't profile as an ace, and his likelihood of being a successful major league pitcher is below that of McAllister. They are definitely the top two pitching prospects in the organization, but it will take this season to see if one of them really separates himself from the other.

Photo Credit: The Digitel Charleston