Yankee Draft Needs `13

With the MLB draft getting underway, let's take a look at what the Yankees might be looking for.    In the past few years, the Yanks have stocked up on college relievers, and they'll probably pick a few more this year.  But what they haven't been able to do in the past few years, is find high upside lefty starters.   In the old, dumber days of Yankee drafting, they would draft lots of lefty starters, some of questionable quality, but they'd just keep doing it.   Lately, they've realized that goodness trumps handedness when it comes to pitching and that's progress.   Having said all of that, they haven't been able to draft a super high upside lefty in years and it would be good if they could find one or two this year.

The Yanks should also look for shortstops.   There's still no heir apparent to Jeter, and even if they find one tomorrow or Friday or Saturday,  it's unlikely he'll be ready by the time Jeter is at least off short if not retired.   Last year they took Austin Aune, and he may grow out of the position.   They also have a trio of young shortstops from IFA, but they've haven't been able to develop one into a great SS yet, which is part of the reason why there's no heir apparent.   Needless to say, the search better be on.

They should also look for more high upside right handed starters.   Let's face it, that's always a bigger pool and you can never have enough pitching, especially, with the extra rookie league team that will be launched in the GCL next week.

Third Base is another area where they could use some prospect depth, though it is good to see Dante Bichette Jr. finally starting to rake again, like he did in his draft year.   Still with the news about ARod possibly facing a suspension, the Yanks can't do enough to scotchguard the position, and perhaps they'll be able to make a dent in the issue this week.

Finally, the Yanks have to keep hitting the Catcher position.   Sure, JR Murphy and Gary Sanchez look like future answers at the position, the Yanks need to keep hitting it and developing them.  If they're lucky enough to find a longterm all-star in JR or Sanchez, they can still turn the others into trade gold.  And if the Yanks don't have the answer yet, then they still need to find one.

Should be an interesting few days.   Go Yanks.