Every year, a handful of players ranked outside the top 10 in their respective farm systems take meaningful steps forward to improve their stock and vault up prospect rankings. Part of the fun is trying to identify those breakouts before it happens. So today, we’re identifying Yankees prospects who have the potential to make a jump in 2026.

To qualify, a player must rank outside the organization’s preseason Top 10 prospects. All scouting reports are from Baseball America’s 2026 Prospect handbook, which you can purchase here.

You can find Top 30 prospect rankings for all teams here and all breakout candidates here.

Breakout Prospects

Mac Heuer, RHP

BA Grade/Risk: 45/Average
Adjusted Grade: 35

Track Record: Heuer was homeschooled but made his way through the showcase circuit and was drafted by Cleveland in the 16th round in 2023. When he wasn’t on the mound, Heuer found time to raise an ewe named Oakley who won grand champion at the 2022 Georgia Junior National Livestock Show. Heuer spent the next two seasons at Texas Tech before the Yankees drafted him in the eighth round. He signed for $400,000, nearly double the recommended slot value. He did not pitch after signing.

Scouting Report: In college, Heuer worked with a full complement of four pitches, led by a fastball that peaked at 97 mph and backed by a changeup and slider in the mid 80s and a curveball in the high 70s. Heuer’s heater worked well when located up in the zone, where it has the kind of life and velocity to zoom past bats. His slider alternated between hard, sweeping break and downer action and has the chance to be an average pitch. Heuer’s changeup has fade and depth away from lefties and could be an average offering as well. His curveball has downer break, but needs more power behind it before it can be much more than a wrinkle against lefthanders or a strike-stealer. Heuer is big and physical and utilizes a delivery with a short, compact action and crossfire finish.

The Future: Heuer’s first stop as a pro could be at High-A Hudson Valley. He’s already cleaned up his body a bit since joining the Yankees and has the makings of a powerful back-end starter.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 40 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50

Jack Cebert, RHP

BA Grade/Risk: 45/Average
Adjusted Grade: 35

Track Record: After three seasons at South Florida, Cebert transferred to Texas Tech for his senior season. He pitched out of the bullpen with the Red Raiders, whose pitching staff also included fellow 2025 Yankees draftee Mac Heuer. The Yankees selected Cebert in the 15th round and sent him to High-A Hudson Valley for his pro debut, where he made five relief appearances.

Scouting Report: Cebert started for South Florida as a sophomore and junior, and the Yankees might return him to that role in 2026. They’ve been heartened by the velocity he’s shown in the early stages of his career. Cebert added a cutter to a mix that also includes a four-seamer, sinker, sweeper and changeup. He threw a curveball in college as well, but it’s unlikely to be part of his mix going forward. His complement of fastballs allows him to handle lefties and righties alike, and his sweeper has hard, late break designed to induce plenty of weak swings. The changeup shows average fade and depth away from lefties. Cebert’s delivery is up-tempo with a glove tap that appears a bit more pronounced on fastballs. His arm stroke is compact in the back and long out front, with more than 6.6 feet of extension in pro ball. He threw plenty of strikes both in college and in his short pro sample.

The Future: If nothing else changes, Cebert could move quickly through the system in a reliever’s role. The road could be longer as a starter, but the gamble might be worth the risk. He should reach Double-A in 2026.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 45 | Cutter: 55 | Control: 55