Slade Heathcott

Heathcott missed almost the entire 2014 season after undergoing surgery on his right knee, which had bothered him at the end of the 2013 season as well. Injuries have been a big part of the 6-foot-1 center fielder’s minor league career, but he will presumably enter camp healthy in 2015. A lot of Heathcott’s potential value to the Yankees comes from his up-the-middle defense. Theoretically, the elite speed that allows him to cover so much ground in center field should also allow him to be a threat on the bases. However, having good speed, and actually racking up high stolen base totals are two different things. He attempted just 23 steals (successful on 15) in 103 games at Double-A in 2013, so he may lack the natural instincts to be a high-end contributor in that department. Denard Span would be a best-case outcome for Heathcott, but staying healthy in 2015 will be the biggest key to him regaining some of his prospect shine.

Heathcott, the Yankees' first-round pick in 2009, still has plenty of potential but has seen his development slowed significantly by two separate shoulder surgeries. When healthy, he represents an interesting power/speed combination, though the speed is a bit ahead of the power at this point (he stole 15 bases in 2013, after stealing 17 in just 215 at-bats in 2012). This will be a key year in Heathcott's development; he may start at either Double-A or Triple-A, and if his health allows him to start to develop in-game power, he could see the majors as soon as 2015.

Heathcott, the Yankees' top draft pick in 2009, has a ton of tools, but his development has been slowed by shoulder injuries. He batted .307 with a .847 OPS as a 21-year-old in High-A in 2012, and while he's always had excellent speed, he vastly improved his success rate this past season, stealing 17 bases in 21 attempts. While Heathcott had just five home runs last season, his power is expected to further develop if he can stay healthy, and he has 30-homer upside down the road. If Heathcott can continue to develop, he could find a prominent spot in the Yankees' outfield by 2015.

Heathcott, the Yankees' first-round pick in the 2009 draft, struggled with injuries during his high school career and missed the last two months of 2011 with a shoulder problem. Heathcott has plenty of tools and was an All-Star in 2011 in his second year at Low-A Charleston. However, he is an undisciplined baserunner, succeeding in only 21-of-38 stolen-base attempts in his career. His power has also yet to develop with just seven homers in more than 500 plate appearances in the minors. Heathcott will start 2012 at High-A Tampa, and he needs to start to put it together for the Yankees to count on him as a significant part of their future.

The Yankees' 2009 first-round pick is a legitimate five-tool player loaded with raw potential. But as is often the case, it's going to take a lot of polish to unearth it. The 19-year-old struck out in more than 33 percent of his at-bats and slugged just .352 at Low-A Charleston, but scouts think both his discipline and power stroke will develop as he ages. However, it's going to take some time before we find out whether his production will catch up to his considerable physical skills.

The Yankees used their first-round pick in last year’s draft to grab Heathcott, a toolsy high school outfielder from Texas. He’s a legitimate five-tool prospect with the speed and throwing ability to play any outfield position, and the athletic build and bat speed to be a consistent power hitter down the road. Concerns include injury problems and some character questions, but his upside is enough to outweigh the risk. He’ll likely spend most or all of the year at Low-A Charleston.