Even with the coronavirus shutdown and contentious negotiations going on, the New York Yankees are still focused on improving their team. Although there may be no players on the field, it doesn’t mean the Yankee front office isn’t operating under social distancing. The Yankees, while contemplating a 2020 season start, are always looking to the future.
One thing of concern is the spring draft which now looks like a summer draft. When the draft takes place, which hasn’t been announced as yet, the Yankees may be looking at Justin Foscue for their 28th pick in the first round of the draft. Foscue has already made a name for himself at Mississippi State University. Foscue was not drafted out of high school, and his freshman year at MSU was not attention-getting.
Following a summer in upstate New York, playing for the Amsterdam Mohawks of the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League, Foscue returned to campus ready to break out. He improved so much that his bat may carry him into the first round of the draft. The Yankees have always looked to address their weakest points in their minor league system, and this year will be no different.
The 21-year-old Foscue is 6′ 201-pound righty that has a significant blend of power and plate discipline. The power hitter is primarily known as a second baseman, although he has played plenty at the hot corner. In his career, he has shown an above-average ability to turn the double-play. In his sophomore year at MSU, he has hit .329 with a .404 OBP and 16 home runs in 83 games. During that stretch, he also showed his ability to get the bat on the ball by striking out just nine percent of the time.
Foscue is reported by scouts to have the ability to hit 20 home runs consistently in his career. It still remains unclear if the New York Yankees will consider Foscue for their first pick, but the Yankee’s evaluation of Foscue’s defense may determine how high he is on their draft board.
This year at Mississippi State, he hit .321/.464/.509 in 16 games this year before the season was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. He averaged more than a hit per game and hit two homers a pace that equals a 22 home run season. Many compare him to Rob Refsynder in his minor league performance. However, Refsynder never proved his major league worth in 2017 for the Yankees. In the majors, he hit just .218. He is presently in the Texas Rangers organization.