Yankees Draft Review Part 4: The Walking Men

The Yanks took 15 non-pitchers during the draft.   That's just a little more than the number of position players on a 25 man game day roster.  Eek?  Not really, turns out they WERE factoring in the big IFA class of mostly hitters when they were making their selections.   In fact, what they didn't do in the draft gave us clues about what they are doing in IFA.  For example, they didn't take a prep shortstop at all.  They have some coming over.   They didn't take a prep catcher till late.  They have some coming over.   We'll know what's up on July 2.

But what did they do?  Thankfully, they went after OBP guys and OBP guys with some power.   They didn't really screw around with guys with no plate disc, which they would still do from time to time most years.   Though is general they have been drafting for patience and pop and it's just been falling apart in the system.

So let's take a look at who they got between pitchers.

They waited till Round 7 to take their first hitter and that was on base machine Mark Payton from Texas.    Deal is he's kind of short, and he works his reduced strike zone.   He's a former hockey player and he's got really good eye hand, so he can foul off pitches and he works a lot of walks.   They say he's slow, but that's true of a lot of hockey guys and it takes awhile to repurpose their leg muscles.    He plays CF for the Longhorns, but will probably play LF and DH in the Yankee system.    He doesn't hit a lot of homers so far, but he's a lefty and he might hit some in YS.  He hit one the day he was drafted in the college World Series.

They came right back in the 8th with another on base machine.  Connor Spencer is a collegiate first baseman with good hands and good D, who also gets on base at a serious rate.  He's also got a big BA component and tends to hit everything the other way.   He's got some size and they'll be able to teach him how to jerk some into the seats.   Really nice pick with broad based useful talent.

Next they took Vince Conde, a college SS who will probably have to move to second in the pros.  He's another guy who grinds and gets on base.  He also had a few homers.  Interesting prospect.  We need grinders.

They wrapped up their day two hitter splurge by taking 2B Ty McFarland.  This might be the most interesting guy of the bunch.  He's a lefty swinging 2B from James Madison, who gets on base and hits jacks.   We'll see how it plays up, but he's got the package we need at second.

In the 12th and 13th they went back to back with two more OBP guys, both first basemen and both flat out mash.   Beast one is Chris Gittens a 6'4" JuCo from Texas.    He could be a tough sign, because of limited budget, eligibility.  Plus, he's only 20.   Would be a great get. Plus, our GCL team could win any rumble!

They backed that pick up with the behemoth known as Bo Thompson.   This guy already signed, posted picture of his locker and is ready to rock.  He's 5'10" and 255.   I take it his favorite pastry is Ron Danish.   But, there have been some great stocky guys, as well as short 1b's.  Mattingly isn't tall.  I'm 6'1" and was surprised that I was so much taller than him when I met him.  I want to see this guy hit one off of Staten Island.  Put one in the water, Bo!

Then they took a nine pitcher picking break.

They came back in round 21 with DeCarr's teammate, Will Toffey.   Toffey played SS at Salisbury where his older bro is the coach, but he'll be a 3b anywhere else.    Like Payton, he's a former hockey player with great hands, patience, but a bigger body and more power and power potential.   Under the old rules, we would have done anything to get this kid.  Under the new rules, and after what DeCarr cost, we probably can't break his Vandy commit.   But maybe we can draft him again in a few years when he's a DES and we're picking much higher.

Next they took Dominic Jose, son of former short term Yank, Felix Jose, who used to get on Sports Center a lot.   Jose was drafted out of high school and went to Stanford where his career languished.  But he was a 5 tool prospect then, and still probably has the tools.  It's whether or not they can be developed.  They listed him as a CF.

They took a one pitcher break and then pick Colin Slaybuagh, a senior catcher out of Washington State.   Slaybaugh's interesting and runs well for a catcher, and hits and gets on base well for a player.  We actually might have something here.

Next they took Griffin Gordon, and 6'0 210 CF out of Jacksonville State.  Bats left and throws left.  Another senior, who'll be patrolling the OF in SI next week.

Then they had some more pitchers and took Devin Bolasky, a 5'11 185 junior CF out of UC-Riverside.   This guy is a left-left, too.   He gets on base a lot.  We'll see if he signs.

They went back to their pitchers.

Next up, was Prep Catcher Chris Hudgins, and he's not signing.  UPDATE: Last night I was told that of the third day preps Cave was the most likely to sign, but now reports are coming in that this bro is posting pictures of himself in a Yankee Uniform.   Would be interesting.   We also have young catchers coming in in IFA.

Then they took 23 year old 2B Ryan Lindemuth.  He will sign - or retire.   Another good college hitter.

They wrapped up the draft by taking a prep 1b named Cam Warren, who's already 6'3" and 210, but he's probably not signing.   Too bad, he could have helped Griffen in those GCL rumbles.

Madison Stokes a 6'3" 190 prep SS with a questionable hit tool was the final pick and he has announced he's not signing.

So in all, I liked the hitter picks.   I cannot whine about walks all year then be disappointed when they draft them.  I wish there was some way we could get Toffey, but it doesn't feel like a break the rules class, so we probably won't.   Maybe we'll get another shot at him in 2016.   It will be interesting to see which of the JuCo's and juniors do end up signing, and they could give this class a big boost coming out of the gate.

We all know the big IFA class is coming, but also, let's not forget we have some former IFA kids coming over to the GCL this year and they're ll supposed to be good hitters.   So we have some hitting in the pipeline already and we've added some more mature guys with plate disc, who will, hopefully serve as an inspiration for they younger guys.