The first round of the 2020 MLB Draft was exactly one week ago from today, but that doesn’t mean that teams can’t keep signing undrafted free agents to improve their farm systems. The New York Yankees are still working on that and, after the event ended, have focused their efforts on adding college pitchers.
The latest player to sign for the Yankees after the draft is Tulane right-hander Connor Pellerin. The club made the announcement of the signing on Tuesday.
Pellerin is about to turn 21 and put up great numbers in the COVID-shortened season, his junior year, with the Green Wave. In six relief appearances, the righty had a 2.25 ERA, showing enough to impress New York Yankees’ scouting department.
Excellent size and projectability for the Yankees
Pellerin has excellent size for a hurler, at 6-foot-4, 210 pounds. He is from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In 55 collegiate appearances including a couple of starts, he compiled a 4-4 win-loss record and a 5.67 ERA. He conceded 54 hits and 75 walks with 94 strikeouts in 74 2/3 innings.
Control is an issue right now but the Yankees seem to like his projectability and potential to develop into a solid arm in the future.
Teams have been negotiating with undrafted players since Sunday, according to the MLB rules. The Yankees have announced agreements with five players, and all right-handed college starters.
Besides Pellerin, MLB.com reports that the Yankees have secured the services of fellow righties Carson Coleman (University of Kentucky), Ocean Gabonia (Everett Community College), Trevor Holloway (University of Central Florida) and Jarod Lessar (Brigham Young University) as undrafted free agents.
In a different year, most of those names would have gone in the draft. However, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, MLB decided to limit the draft to five rounds, and capped the signing bonuses for undrafted free agents to a maximum of $20,000.