The New York Yankees have once again chosen a promising player from Vanderbilt, reflecting their successful past picks from this prestigious baseball program. The last notable selection was Spencer Jones, a star outfield prospect currently progressing through Double-A Somerset and eyed as a future MLB standout.
Continuing the Trend: Yankees’ Newest Addition
On Sunday, the Yankees continued their investment in Vanderbilt’s talent by drafting Bryce Cunningham with the 53rd overall pick in the 2024 MLB draft. This selection followed their earlier pick of Ben Hess from the University of Alabama at No. 26, another promising pitcher with potential as a starter.
Analyzing Cunningham’s Collegiate Performance
During his three years playing college ball, Cunningham showcased his abilities with a 4.36 ERA over 84.2 innings this past season, tallying 96 strikeouts against 34 walks. Standing at 6’5″ and weighing 230 pounds, Cunningham brings a powerful presence to the mound. His fastball can reach the upper 90s, and his change-up is lauded as his most effective pitch. Like Hess, Cunningham displays excellent strikeout capabilities but needs to refine his command to reach his full potential.
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Yankees’ Confidence in Development
Having competed in the SEC, one of the most challenging conferences in college baseball, Cunningham’s experience is highly valued by the Yankees. The organization is optimistic about his future, believing that with targeted developmental efforts, he could become a key player for the team.
“We love Bryce because he’s another pick that could have top-end starter potential and has already been tested in the SEC,” Oppenheimer said. “He’s a quality pitcher and a powerful right-hander with a big fastball that can reach up to 99 [mph], a good changeup, and a slider that continues to improve. Bryce has continued to get better, and credit to him on what he has done on his own, his performance in the Cape Cod Baseball League, and the support he received at Vanderbilt.”