3 Impact Prospects That Could Make the Yankees' 2015 Roster

The New York Yankees have notably had a lack of farm system depth and talent over the past few years, but there are a few prospects who could potentially make an impact on the 2015 big league roster.

At 29.6 years of age, the Bombers were the second-oldest team in baseball behind the World Series-bound San Francisco Giants in 2014, according to ESPN. With aging and injury-prone veterans, the team is looking to get younger after missing the playoffs for the second consecutive year.

With holes in the lineup and a lack of depth in the bullpen, Rob Refsnyder, Jose Pirela and Jacob Lindgren could all find themselves in pinstripes next season. 

Whether he makes the Opening Day roster or not, Pirela is going to bring value to the Yankees in 2015.

With shortstop Derek Jeter retired, Alex Rodriguez's defense at third base a liability, right fielder Carlos Beltran's health in question and no definitive starting second baseman, Pirela will see some action with the Yankees.

Pirela brings plenty of versatility to the table. He has played first base, second, short, third and all three outfield positions in his minor league career. He played strictly at second during his 2014 September call-up with the Yankees.

Playing in just seven major league games, Pirela had eight hits in 24 at-bats, including two triples. He hit .305 with 21 doubles, 11 triples, 10 homers, 60 RBI, 15 stolen bases and a .792 OPS for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre last season.

After eight full seasons in the minor leagues, the 24-year-old is sure to finally see some regular time in the big leagues next year. 

With the 55th overall pick in last year's draft, the Yankees made Mississippi State University's Lindgren their top selection.

A starter during his 2013 college season, Lindgren helped the Bulldogs reach the College World Series. Last year, he moved to Mississippi's bullpen, going 6-1 with an 0.81 ERA. He saved three games and limited his opponents to a .124 average.

Lindgren brought that dominance to the professional level following the draft. Pitching at four different levels in his first year, going as high as Double-A Trenton, Lindgren posted a 2.16 ERA and a 17.3 K/9 ratio. He did not allow a home run all season and struck out 48 batters in 25 innings pitched.

Just 21 years of age, Lindgren has a devastating slider and a fastball that sits in the mid-90s. The Yankees have no plans to convert him back to a starter, meaning he could be the newest weapon in New York's pen come 2015. 

Refsnyder turned plenty of heads in the Yankees organization and among its fanbase in 2014.

The 23-year-old tore minor league pitching apart, hitting .318 with 38 doubles, 14 home runs and 63 RBI for the Double-A Trenton Thunder and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees. On top of that, he had nine steals and an .884 OPS.

With Brian Roberts providing little offensive production and trade deadline pickup Stephen Drew not being much better, fans and reporters were asking Yankees general manager Brian Cashman about Refsnyder all season.

At the deadline, Cashman said he preferred to have him play the rest of the year at Triple-A and that he could "potentially to take a shot at the roster next year," per Chad Jennings of LoHud.com.  

Well, next year, the Yankees will have plenty of holes in the infield. If Rodriguez is unable to handle the hot corner, that means jack-of-all-trades Martin Prado will move over to third. If that is the case, second base will be wide open for Refsnyder to claim. Going into spring training, he should get that opportunity.

Additionally, Refsnyder has spent some time in right field, adding to his value.

All stats were obtained via Baseball-Reference.com.

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