The MLB Draft is getting closer, and all 30 major league teams are seeing it as a golden opportunity to add talent to their minor league ranks. The New York Yankees, especially, are embracing the event since they could only make three selections last year: catcher Austin Wells, second baseman Trevor Hauver, and right-hander Beck Way.
Last year’s draft was shortened to five rounds because of COVID-19, and the Yankees forfeited their second and fifth-round picks when they signed Gerrit Cole. Now, they will finally have a chance to add to their minor league collection of talent.
Yankees’ vice president and director of amateur scouting Damon Oppenheimer is preparing the draft, while general manager Brian Cashman watches closely. The draft, additionally, is seen as a preview of what’s going to come in the trade market.
“You’re used to things not really happening until after the Draft in years gone by,” Cashman said to MLB.com. “But that was when the Draft was in June. This year, there’s the curiosity of, does that push things back? The closer you get to the Draft, the less likely people will be engaged during that time frame, because they’re really going to be focused on nailing the Draft.”
The Yankees’ first pick is number 20
Day 1 of the event will be Sunday. It will all happen in Denver’s Bellco Theatre, and MLB Network and ESPN will feature the first 36 picks. The Draft will be 20 round long this time.
The Yankees will pick in the 20th spot, then in the 55th and after that, in the 92nd. Those are their first three picks.
Acing the draft would go a long way in improving an already up-and-coming farm system and give the Yankees more options at the trade deadline. Picking at number 20, they have a good chance of adding an impact player.