The New York Yankees own the 16th and 30th overall picks in the 2015 MLB Amateur Draft. They acquired the 30th selection from the Chicago White Sox after closer David Roberston signed with them earlier in the offseason. Who will New York select?
The alarms sounded for the Yankees at the end of 2014 when they missed the playoffs for the second consecutive year. Derek Jeter retired and they were still stuck with the onerous contracts of Alex Rodriguez ($64 million over next three seasons), Mark Teixeira ($46.25 million over next two seasons) and C.C. Sabathia ($48 million over next two seasons with $25 million vesting option for 2017). So general manager Brian Cashman sought to do a number of things with one main goal - get younger.
After a number of moves that got the 40-man roster more youthful and also bolstered the farm system, the Yankees have yet another opportunity with two slots in the first 30 picks of this year's draft. Unfortunately, it's largely unknown who they'll select because mock MLB drafts aren't as quite as popular as mock NFL drafts, but ESPN Insider Keith Law provides an annual projection of high school and college players planning to go pro.
The Yankees are likely keeping a close eye on who might fall to them because their farm system proved to be less than adequate in 2014.
"The team's system had failed to produce capable replacements for its cavalcade of injured starters, a problem that will continue so long as aging veterans like Mark Teixeira, Carlos Beltran, Brian McCann and, yes, Alex Rodriguez remain on the roster," writes Josh Norris in Baseball America's AL East Prospects issue. "...there was little homegrown help for an anemic offense that ranked 20th in the majors in runs."
With starting pitcher Luis Severino ranking as the team's No. 1 prospect, the acquisition of 22-year-old right-hander Domingo German, and the promising development of left-hander Ian Clarkin, it's very possible the Yankees go after a couple of bats with their two first round picks. Let's take a look at who Law has ranked in their slots.
Catcher Chris Betts out of Wilson High School in Long Beach, CA is ranked 16th among the projected 2015 draft class. Here's what Law and colleague Christopher Crawford wrote about him:
"Betts can hit, and he has the size and strength to hit for power if he can get more rotational, so the main question is really whether he can stay behind the plate in pro ball. He has the arm and body for it, so if it works, he could become a top-10 pick."
However, the Yankees already have catchers Gary Sanchez and Luis Torrens making their way through the system, so if Betts is a realistic option for the team, it's possible they discuss moving him to first base.
As for the 30th spot, Law and Crawford have outfielder Skye Bolt from North Carolina sitting there. Here's their analysis:
"If Bolt shows the same skill set he did during his freshman season, he has a chance to go early as an outfielder with above-average tools across the board. We didn't see that player much as a sophomore, however, so his status as a first-round target is very much in question."
As a freshman in 2013, Bolt was wildly impressive after batting .321/.418/.491 with 48 runs scored, six home runs, 51 RBIs and 10 stolen bases in 54 games. He missed a month of that season with a broken foot. He followed up that campaign in 2014 and slashed just .257/.373/.353 with 40 runs scored, four home runs, 32 RBIs and 11 stolen bases in 60 games. Perhaps a bit of a sophomore slump, but the talent is certainly there after what he showed his freshman year.
The draft isn't until June, but the order was set yesterday after James Shields signed with the San Diego Padres. It'll all just be speculation until then.
