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The New York Yankees have been looking forward to this day for quite some time. After usually losing picks to other teams after signing big-name free agents, the Yankees have now gained selections in the First-Year Player Draft. When Nick Swisher and Rafael Soriano signed on the dotted line with the Indians and Nationals respectively, New York was given the 32nd and 33rd overall picks – to go along with their original 26th overall pick, determined from last year’s record of 95-67.
The last time the Yankees had this many picks in the first round was 2001, when they selected Jon-Ford Griffin, Bronson Sardinha and Jon Skaggs – all of whom are largely unrecognizable. Director of amateur scouting Damon Oppenheimer has hopes that this year’s draft will yield better results – after all, having this many picks in the first round is rare.
** Under the new collective bargaining agreement, each team is given a set dollar amount for bonuses. The Yankees will be working with $7,957,400 to sign their 12 draft picks. This amount ranks eighth in MLB. The more picks a team has and the earlier it picks, the larger the dollar amount.
Who to watch:
Baseball America has the Yankees possibly looking at these players with their three picks:
Eric Jagielo, 3B/OF
Bats: L, Throws: R
Junior – Notre Dame (26th overall pick) : Jagielo ranks 38 on MLB.com’s top 100 prospects list. With a legitimate lefty bat, there are just a few questions about his glove. Most think a position change is in store, but as long as he plays up to his offensive potential, teams could live with sticking him at a corner infield or outfield spot. With the Yankees obviously lacking in third-base depth for the future, this could be a good pick for them, as Jagielo represents the “Yankee-mold” of power and patience. Jagielo was drafted 50th overall by the Cubs in 2010 but did not sign.
Robert Kaminsky, LHP
Senior – St. Joseph Regional HS, N.J. (32nd overall pick): Stuff-wise, Kaminsky is one of the top high school pitchers in the draft, possessing an above-average fastball that ranges from 92-95 mph and a solid breaking ball. However, because he stands at just 6’0″ and 188 lbs, there are questions about his durability. If Kaminsky doesn’t sign, he has committed to the University of North Carolina in the fall.
Billy McKinney, OF
Bats: L, Throws: L
Senior – Plano West HS, Texas (33rd overall pick): McKinney worked out for the Yankees on Tuesday, and projects to be a pick somewhere in the first round. McKinney is a high character guy with good makeup, and has one of the best high school bats in the draft.
Other options here include: Jon Denney, HS catcher. Austin Wilson, OF – Stanford.
New York will also select 66th overall, 103rd, 134th, 164th, 194th, 224th, 254th, 284th and 314th.
Recent history:
The Yankees have had a tendency to draft high school players of late, as their last four selections in the first round have been such players. Since 2008, they’ve selected six college prospects out of a possible 16 picks in the first, second and third rounds.
Recent Picks:
2012: Ty Hensley, RHP, injured hip
’11: Dante Bichette Jr., 3B, Class A Charleston
’10: Cito Culver, SS, Class A Charleston
’09: Slade Heathcott, OF, Double-A Trenton
’08: Gerrit Cole, RHP, did not sign, now with Pirates organization
2013 Yankees:
This year’s team features many players who have been homegrown, including David Adams, Joba Chamberlain, David Robertson, Brett Gardner, Robinson Cano, Phil Hughes, Derek Jeter, Austin Romine and Adam Warren.
Where to watch the Draft:
The First-Year Player Draft kicks off at 6 pm EST from the MLB Network Studios in Secaucus, N.J. The top 73 picks will be broadcast live on MLB Network and on MLB.com. The draft will conclude on Sunday.
