College Relievers

I used to think drafting college relievers was a bit of a waste. The logic was starters are more valuable than relievers, thus we should draft starters and let the ones who fail as starters become our relievers. Sort of sound, but not all the starters you can collect picking late each year have the sort of velocity you want to see coming out of the bullpen. For example, if Shaeffer Hall starts failing as a starter, he will never be a 7th or 8th inning option.

Meanwhile, David Robertson, who was a college closer and drafted as a summer follow back in 2006, has been the Yanks' second best reliever this season. Somewhere over the past few years the Yankees figured out that picking where they pick they were going to have to get lucky to get a starter. But, they could find a lot of velocity, and two pitch talent picking college relievers and closers. Last year they went big drafting Tommy Kahnle, Daniel Burawa, Zach Nuding (who they have starting this year), Chase Whitley, Connor Mullee and others to throw into the mix. This year they went just as big starting with Philip Wetherell at pick 269.

269 Phillip Wetherell RHP 6'5" 225 Junior

299 Zachary Arneson RHP 6'2" 190 Senior

359 Mark Montgomery RHP 5'11 205 Junior

509 Branden Pinder RHP 6'3" 2010 Senior

599 Robert Paullus RHP 6'1" 190 Junior

719 Corey Maines RHP 6'o" 190 Senior

770 Adam Smith RHP 6'3" 200 Junior

929 John Brebbia RHP 6'1" 185 Junior

The above group features they pretty easy signing kids, thought Adam Smith is a recent conversion to pitching and they might want to look at him this summer. In fact, Wetherell, Arneson, Montgomery, Pinder, Paullus and Maines have already signed.

The Yanks also chose some JuCo, CC and one division two arm who probably won't be as easy to sign.

329 Jonathan Gray RHP 6'4 255 J1

689 Nick Goody RHP 6'1" 185 J2

1109 Ryan Thompson RHP 6'3 190 Jr. Div II

1379 Cass Ingvardsen RHP 6'3 210 J2

1499 Tyler Mapes RHP 6'2" 200 J1

The above 5 players are all in situation where they might be able to go for more money next year. So will, but the Yanks will probably want to take a look at them over the summer, like they did with David Robertson lo these many years ago.

Given where they pick, and the crazy money (and a first round pick!) we have to give up when we go after big league relief help, drafting collegiate relievers is a great strategy for the Yanks, and one I was glad to see them pursue again this year.

I think we'll finish off the position players next, and then hit the long list of Prep RHP starters.