The MLB five-day draft is set to begin on Wednesday, June 10th and there have been mock drafts created in preparation for the event. The New York Yankees have the 28th pick with a total of only three picks in the draft since they surrendered their second and fifth rounders when they signed Gerrit Cole.
Even though the Yankees already have a highly talented team and a very strong farm system, picking the right player with their first pick is always big. Last year, the New York Yankees selected Anthony Volpe from Delbarton High School with the 30th pick. Despite missing some time due to contracting Mono, Volpe impressed in his first professional season and there are high hopes for him.
For this season, it’s believed that the Yankees are going to select a hitter first and then grab a pitcher in the later round. Here are some of the players that are predicted to be selected by the Yanks:
Ed Howard, SS, Mount Carmel HS
Predicted by Jim Callis from MLB Network, Oaklahoma commit Ed Howard is believed to be picked by the Yankees because he’s the most talented infielder in this year’s draft and the Yankees are looking for a strong fielder. According to Perfect Game USA, Howard 6.76 60 yard dash and throws 88 mph across the infield.
This was Howard’s write-up at the Perfect Game 2019 National Showcase:
Ed Howard is a 2020 SS with a 6-2 185 lb. frame from Lynwood, IL who attends Mount Carmel. Long and projectable athletic build. 6.76 runner, has very athletic actions in the middle infield, plays balanced and smooth while showing big range, very fast and sure hands, solid arm strength with a very quick release from multiple arm angles, accurate throws. Right handed hitter, hits from a slightly open stance, simple repeatable load, same lightning quick hands drive the barrel, very good bat speed with loud contact and consistent hard loud barrel, line drive contact now with power to come. Everything in his game is balanced, athletic and explosive and will continue to improve as he gets stronger. Good student, verbal commitment to Oklahoma. Named to play in the Perfect Game All-American Classic.
Austin Wells, C, Arizona
Originally drafted by the Yankees in 2018 out of high school, the club has had eyes on Wells for some time now. Everyone knows that the New York Yankees values offensive production the most and that’s exactly what Austin Wells brings to the table. Scouts have noticed his ability to hit for power to all parts of the field. In his freshman season at Arizona, Wells batted .353 with 78 hits and five home runs through 56 games played. In the short amount of time that college baseball had this year, Wells was batting .375 with 21 hits and two home runs through 15 games played.
This pick was predicted by Mike Axisa from CBS Sports, and it makes sense for the Yankees. After Gary Sanchez and Kyle Higashioka, the Yankees don’t have much depth in the catcher position. The only concern that comes with Wells is that scouts doubt his defensive ability behind the plate. He was a designated hitter his senior year in high school and there are some concerns that his defensive won’t be able to play at the next level.
Proceed with caution ? : Austin Wells at bat. The freshman knocks one into left field for his third triple of the year to make it a two-run lead!
Bot 3 | Arizona 3, Washington 1 pic.twitter.com/w8YqIqek00
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) April 7, 2019
Clayton Beeter, RHP, Texas Tech
As stated before, the New York Yankees are most likely going to select a strong arm in the later round of the draft. Clayton Beeter has drawn attention from the Yankees as his fastball can run up to 98 mph. In two seasons at Texas Tech, Beeter holds a 2.81 career ERA in 41.2 innings pitched.
However, there’s some big concern with Beeter. He’s coming off two major injuries while he was at Texas Tech, having Tommy John surgery in 2017 and an arthroscopic procedure on the same elbow seven months after TJ. It’s possible that the Yankees shy away from Beeter because they’re paranoid about injuries, but it’s also hard to overlook a guy throwing 98 mph.