Yanks Draft Stuff

As we sit a ponder why it is the Yanks haven't found a spot for The Grinder, Rob Refsnyder, the 2016 draft is just 6 days away.  Now, some of the mocks have the Yanks taking collegiate catcher Matt Thaiss at 18, but, and here's why they shouldn't -- most people think he can't catch in the pro's.  He's got a weak throwing arm, thow, he's an on base machine who rarely strikes out.  Now, since there's a DH and most guys can play left of first, the Yanks should probably be interested.  However; since they still haven't figured out what to do with Rob Refsnyder, and gave up early on postion switch catchers like Pete O'Brien and Jesus Montero, I'd prefer they look elsewhere at #18.

And let me take this moment to remind you that the Yanks only need to find about one eventual  regular, or group of relievers/ role players to pay for an entire draft class.   Because those cheap, early years save the Yanks millions and millions of bucks.

The Yanks don't have any extra picks so far, though I guess they could always buy or trade for a comp balance pick.  As it stands their first three picks are 18, 62, and 98.  That's three top 100 picks -- and that just barely.   It's more than they had two years ago, but not as much as last year or three years ago.  It doesn't feel like the there's the same amount of college pitchers having big seasons as we typically see, and I get the sense that here in California, it's a middling year for top end talent.  What it does seem might be available around 18 are some high upside prep pitchers and maybe an OF or two.

They should get another solid influx of talent over the 40 rounds or whatever it is this year.  Regardless of what pundit and nit-wits think, the Yanks have outstanding scouts and a very good handle on the draft market.   Having MLB enforce draft pools on the Yanks has actually helped them and spared them from any more Culver/Bichette picks based on Hal Steinbrenner's penny wisdom.

Now, tomorrow, could be a sort of great or awful day in Yankee land as the DSL starts.  Two yearks ago the Yanks finally spent some dough by taking the top off the IFA market, and so, we all should be hoping not to see any of the big names from that class still on DSL rosters at start of season tomorrow.  Though, in the past they have started players in the Domincan before bringing them over for short season.  Still, the best case scenario would have all  the big names either gearing up for the GCL, Pulaski or NYPL.

So, as bad as the MLB Yanks have been this year, we're finally in that part of the saason when the minor league fun kicks it up a few notches.  There are 6 Yankee teams that haven't even started yet.