Yanks Draft and IFA Review

Friday marked the deadline for the Yanks to sign their 2012 picks. They were able to sign Ty Hensley (RD1, HS, RHP), Jose Mesa Jr.(RD24, HS, RHP), Jose Diaz (RD29 LHP, HS)Dalton Smith (RD36 HS, C), and Charles Haslup (RD 26, RHP, College) at the deadline. Overall they signed 28 of 41 picks. 10 of the 28 signees were preps, the rest collegians. This reverses the trend we had been seeing before the new rules were put in place, as the Yanks had been singing more and more preps in the last few drafts.

This years preps are;

Ty Hensley RHP

Austin Aune SS/CF

Nathan Mikolas OF

Caleb Frare, LHP

Chris Breen C

Dayton Dawes RHP

Brady, Lail RHP

Jose Mesa Jr. RHP

Jose Diaz LHP

Dalton Smith C

It's a pretty good group, headlined by Hensley who may have top of the rotation stuff, Aune and Jose Mesa Jr. But certainly pitching heavy with some hitting potential. The Yanks weren't able to come to terms with Vincent Jackson or Ty Moore who may have been the two best prep hitters they picked.

On the other hand, in IFA the Yanks big three signings were all hitters: Louis Torrens C, Yancarlos Baez, IF, and Alexander Palma RF. All three look like good hitters and hopefully they'll eventually make up for the lost ability to sign guys like Jackson or Moore. Of course they are two years younger and will probably take a little while longer to shine than a draft pick might. The Yanks have about 6 more moves they can make at the 50K bonus level and an unlimited # they can make at 7500 or below. They've actually had some luck at those levels over the last few years, so who knows what else they got or are getting?

Collegiately, the Yanks added a potentially big bat in Pete O'Brien and a few more interesting hitters in Refnsyder and Butler, but once again the focus was on pitching, especially relievers.

In all, the Yanks did well, and behaved logically. The new rules did; however, cramp their style and as a result fewer hitters will be entering the system they have entered in the last two years. Barring trades, and undrafted college FA's, the amateur signing season is over for the Yanks. If Hensley turns out to be a top of the rotation guy, they had a great year. If not, they'll have to hit on some others.