It’s a well-known rule of the New York baseball season that as the weather heats up, so too do the trade rumors surrounding the Yankees. But while the slumping Bombers look increasingly desperate to land yet another big-name veteran pitcher (Roger Clemens, anyone?), the barren state of their farm system could leave them stranded at the 2005 trade deadline.

You’ve heard it a lot in recent years: The Yankees have not drafted and developed a player to start for the big club since Derek Jeter (Alfonso Soriano was signed from Japan). But as the recent big-league promotions of Chien-Ming Wang and Robinson Cano have shown, all is not lost. Here is a list of the top five prospects making names for themselves in the Yankee organization, with an emphasis on those who can contribute sooner rather than later.

MELKY CABRERA, 20, CF

Cabrera is probably the best position prospect the Yankees have.The organization has been quick to promote the 20-year-old, starting him at Double-A Trenton this year after he made the big leap in 2004 from Staten Island to high Class-A ball in Tampa.

Cabrera put up impressive numbers last year, and this year he’s posted a .284 AVG/.329 OBA/.455 SLG batting line with eight home runs in the notoriously pitching-friendly Eastern League. His plate discipline leaves something to be desired (15 walks and 37 strikeouts this season), but if Cabrera can learn the virtues of patience at the dish, he could be a good one.

“He swings at anything near the plate,” said one American League scout who spoke with The New York Sun on condition of anonymity. “But he’s got good tools. Good throwing arm, good instincts. He can run and hit for power.”

The 5-foot-11-inch, 170-pound Cabrera still needs time to fill out, so despite the Yankees’ quick promotion trigger, he’ll probably need a few more years in the high minors.

PHILIP HUGHES, 18, SP

Hughes was the Yankees’ first round pick in last June’s draft out of Foothill (CA) High School. He signed late, and only got in five innings last year for the rookie-ball Gulf Coast League Yankees. But he’s been nothing short of dominating this year, throwing 62 2/3 innings to the tune of a 1.72 ERA, along with 64 K and just 15 BB at Low-A Charleston.

Hughes should move quickly through the system, especially given the Yankees’ pitching problems. He throws a low-90s fastball, along with a potent curveball that has impressed opposing managers.

“His fastball had lots of life to it, going by the swings guys were taking off of him,” said Travis Barbary, manager of the Columbus Catfish. “The curveball has really good late life to it. He really kept us off balance.”

SHELLEY DUNCAN, 25, 1B

If the 2001 second-rounder out of Arizona is going to make it, it’s with one tool: power. Though Duncan strikes out a lot, his raw power will eventually get him a job. He hit only 19 homers in 142 games last year at Trenton, but he’s exploded at the plate this year, hitting .279 with 14 homers and 40 RBI in 57 games.

Duncan’s defense at first is adequate, and his plate discipline is about what you’d expect from a slugger his age: 21 walks and 47 strikeouts this year. But with the Yankees looking at a first-base future of Tino Martinez and Jason Giambi, Duncan could get a chance to step in and provide some much-needed pop.

“Duncan has got big-league power and just has to improve some on the breaking ball, like most of his peers,” the A.L. scout said. “He could start at first base for somebody in the next two years.”

ERIC DUNCAN, 20, 3B

Now that Cano has been promoted to the majors, Eric Duncan is often (and probably incorrectly) termed the best position player in the system. Unfortunately, this says a lot more about the state of the Yankees’ system than it does about Duncan. Last season in low A-ball, he put together his best season so far, hitting .260/.351/.480 with 12 homers and 57 RBI in 78 games.

His plate discipline is not great – this year at Double-A Trenton, he’s batting just .245/.327/.370 with seven homers, 25 walks, and 47 strikeouts; last year he drew 38 walks and struck out 84 times.

“He has a chance to hit,” the scout said. “But he’s a line drive hitter, his swing doesn’t have any lift. He has strength, he has bat speed, but [his power] is in development.”

Duncan is much less impressive in the field, where he’s made 12 errors so far this season. The third baseman probably has no future at the hot corner, A-Rod or not.

“Duncan’s struggled defensively,” the scout said. “His hands aren’t good, his body is stiff. He’s not going to be able to play third base.”