Medina first reached 100 mph with his fastball at age 16, a month before he signed for $280,000 out of the Dominican Republic in July 2015. There's no question that he has the best pure stuff in the Yankees system, though his inability to harness it resulted in a 5.51 ERA with 144 walks in 183 innings during his first four pro seasons. There's hope that he turned a corner when he found a consistent release point last summer and gave up just nine earned runs and 15 walks in his final 45 2/3 innings.
With lightning-fast arm speed and little effort, Medina sits at 96-99 mph and tops out at 102 with some natural cut on his fastball. His low-80s curveball is a plus-plus hammer at its best and can be more unhittable than his heater. There also are times when his changeup merits at least a 65 on the 20-80 scouting scale, operating around 90 mph with devastating splitter action.
Despite his huge difficulties throwing strikes, Medina is athletic and has no red flags in his delivery. He does struggle to repeat his mechanics at times, with some observers believing that's more of a mental than physical issue. There's a huge gap between his ceiling (frontline starter) and floor (not enough control to contribute in the Majors), but he started to close it at the end of last season.
Scouting grades: Fastball: 70 | Curveball: 60 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 40 | Overall: 45
There may not be a prospect in baseball with a bigger gap between his ceiling and floor than Medina. He first reached triple digits with his fastball shortly before he signed for $280,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2015, but he remains much more thrower than pitcher four years later. He logged a 6.25 ERA with 46 walks in 36 innings while repeating the Rookie-level Appalachian League last season.
Medina has electric arm speed that generates 95-100 mph fastballs with little effort, peaking at 102 with some cutting action. His high-spin curveball gives him a second plus-plus pitch at its best, combining power in the low 80s with sharp break. His low-90s changeup has splitter action and gives him a third weapon that can make hitters look silly.
Medina is athletic and has no glaring flaws in his delivery, helping his chances of developing at least the decent command he'll need to succeed. Some observers believe his strike-throwing issues are more mental than physical. He has the upside of a frontline starter with a more realistic expectation of becoming a difference-making reliever, and the Yankees will give him plenty of time to figure things out.
Scouting grades: Fastball: 75 | Curveball: 60 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 40 | Overall: 50
As a penalty for blowing well past their 2014-15 international bonus pool by shelling out $17 million in bonuses, the Yankees were limited to spending no more than $300,000 on any individual international prospect during the next two signing periods. They still remained active and may have found a bargain when they landed Medina for $280,000 out of the Dominican Republic in July 2015. He began hitting 100 mph with his fastball shortly before he turned pro and now has the best pure stuff in the system.
Medina isn't physically imposing but has an exceptionally quick arm that repeatedly delivers 95-100 mph fastballs that top out at 102 and feature some cutting action. Both of his secondary pitches have a chance to be at least plus pitches as well. He has a power curveball with a high spin rate and a 90-92 mph changeup with splitter action that can devastate hitters, especially if they're trying to sit on his heater.
Medina is still young and extremely raw, so he'll need time to reach his lofty ceiling as a frontline starter. He's has yet to learn to tame his electric stuff, though New York believes he can develop at least average control and command because his delivery doesn't feature much effort. The Yankees are loaded with quality pitching prospects, and he could be the most successful of them if he can add some polish.
Scouting grades: Fastball: 75 | Curveball: 55 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 40 | Overall: 45
After spending more than $17 million during the 2014-15 international signing period, the Yankees were prohibited from spending more than $300,000 on any international prospects the next two years. That didn't stop them from landing an explosive arm in July 2015, when they inked Medina for $280,000 out of the Dominican Republic. He began flashing a triple-digits fastball shortly before he signed and has done so more frequently since.
Medina has an exceptionally quick arm that consistently generates 95-100 mph heat. Both of his secondary pitches have a chance to be plus pitches as well. He has advanced feel for spinning a power curveball and shows aptitude for using a changeup.
As exciting as his stuff is, Medina is still just 18 and extremely raw. He's more thrower than pitcher at this point, and he's still in the early stages of figuring out how to harness his overpowering arsenal. Though he's not very physical and his control will need to improve significantly, New York will develop him as a starter for now.
