default-cbs-image

As of the end of play on Friday night, Alex Rodriguez is a member of the Yankees no more. As such, you may consider the youth movement in the Bronx to be fully underway. Consider, for instance, Joe Girardi's lineup for Saturday ...

Of note are those No. 7 and No. 8 hitters. In the seven hole and making his major-league debut will be Tyler Austin at first base. In the eighth hole and making his major-league debut will be outfielder Aaron Judge in right. Also observe that the recently-promoted Gary Sanchez is batting sixth and DHing.

Austin, 24, is a former 13th-rounder who was a consensus top-100 prospect earlier in his career. Wrist problems cost him much of the 2013 season and likely sapped his power well beyond that point.

Speaking of power, the question with Austin is whether he'll produce enough of it to pass muster at a corner position. On that point, Austin this season did not impress at Double-A, but after a promotion to the International League he put up an exceptional line of .323/.415/.637 in 57 games. He does a good job of picking his spots on the bases but won't add much value with the glove.

Judge, meantime, is a power prospect of much renown. The 32nd-overall pick of the 2013 draft out of Fresno State, Judge is now 24 and has a line of .278/.373/.473 with 56 homers and 68 doubles in 348 minor-league games. This season, he's seen much better results in his second tour of duty with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

A towering presence at the plate, the 6-foot-7 Judge also has a strong throwing arm and good speed given his dimensions. Whether he realizes his power potential will be the key for him at the highest level.

As for the near-term road ahead for these two, Judge, in keeping with his higher ceiling, has the clearer path to regular duty:

Let it also be noted that the Yankees have much more young talent on the way, especially after GM Brian Cashman's outstanding work leading up to the recent non-waiver trade deadline. Still in the pipeline are Clint Frazier, Gleyber Torres, and Jorge Mateo -- each of whom is generally regarded as having more long-term promise than Judge. There's also Blake Rutherford, Justus Sheffield, Miguel Andujar, and Dillon Tate, among others. The future is indeed bright in the Bronx.