The 2013 MLB Draft came and went 2 weeks ago. The Yankees had 4 picks in the 1st 2 rounds (albeit none in the first 26 picks)...2 of which were in the supplemental round between the 1st and 2nd round which they were assigned for losing Nick Swisher and Rafael Soriano to free agency.
Who did they pick?
With the 26th overall pick in the 1st round, they selected ERIC JAGIELO, a 6'3", 215lb college 3B from NOTRE DAME
Projects to do well at the plate both in terms of hitting for power and average. Defense is average with some questions about whether he will eventually end up as a corner OF or 1B. Baseball America ranked him as the 17th best prospect in the draft so wasn' a reach as many of the Yankess other 1st round picks have been in recent years.
Signability - should have no problem signing.
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With the 32nd overall pick in the supplemental 1st round, they selected AARON JUDGE, a 6'7", 255lb college CF from FRESNO STATE
Judge is one of the most talked about players in this draft...largely due to his monstrous power potential and his great combination of size and athleticism. Harold Reynolds I believed referred to him as having Blake Griffin physical tools and athleticism. So we got one big boy with some serious upside. Question is can he actually apply it in game situations (something that has been questioned). His athleticism and fluidity is a good sign since he's not just a big stiff masher. Will be interesting to follow him through the minors to say the least.
Signability - should have no problem signing.
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With the 33rd overall pick in the supplemental 1st round, they selected IAN CLARKIN, a 19 year old 6'3" 190lb high school LHP from Madison HS (CA).
Clarkin was ranked by many scouting sites as the 18th best player in the draft...considered one of the best lefty pitchers in the draft his fastball sits in the 92-94 range right now and supposedly has a nasty curve. Projects as a guy with front of the rotation like stuff (some even mentioned Clayton Kershaw).
Signability - Reports are that they've already signed him.
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With the 66th overall pick (2nd round), they selected GOSUKE KATOH, an 18 year old 6'2" 180lb high school 2B from Rancho Bernardo HS (CA)
Here he is working out with the Yankees at Angel stadium prior to the game on Friday:
Katoh may have been a reach as baseball america had him ranked as the 189th best prospect and none of the sites had him as a top 100 player. But he supposedly has great athleticism/speed and is considered one of teh best defensive players in the draft. Supposedly a big fan of Ichiro and modeled his swing/game after Ichiro. Very little to no power but Oppenheimer commented that they feel that he has "surprising power". Questionnable arm strength and lack of power means he's a 2B...and just a 2B.
Signablity - Reports are that they've already signed him.
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With the 103rd overall pick (3rd round), they selected ex-Yankee Paul O'Neill's nephew, MICHAEL O'NEILL, a 20 year old 6'1" 195lb CF from UNIVERSITY of MICHIGAN
Reading the draft reports on this guy, he's sounds a bit like Paul O'Neil. Nickname is the "Laser Show", he's mostly a doubles hitter right now that hits the ball hard to all fields. Solid defender but likely will have to move to a corner OF spot. Also like Paul O'Neil early in his career, has good speed and projects to be able to steal about 15-20 bases a year. Was ranked in the late 70's to mid 80's range in terms of ranking so not a reach. Was actually drafted by the Yankees originally as a HS player (40th round or so) but he chose to go to college instead.
Signability - Reports are that he's already signed.