OF-Blake Rutherford
Rutherford, just less than a month ago, was supposed to go in the top 10 of the draft. His drop is the New York Yankees gain, as the Yankees gain the talented outfielder with the 18th pick in the draft. Rutherford is signed to go to UCLA, but for the Yankees sake, they hope to give him enough money out of their pool in order to prevent that.
Rutherford posted a robust .577 average in high school ball.
The last time the Yankees drafted a outfielder with their first pick was the recently released Slade Heathcott. If Rutherford can develop more power, especially being a lefty at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees may have found a real nice piece for the future that fell into their lap.
Here’s our Benjamin Chase on Rutherford:
"18. Rutherford was a victim of some prospect fatigue this year, but he also didn’t do a lot his senior year to really assert himself in the first half of the first round. He’s got solid power, but he wasn’t getting to it all season in high school this year. He has the ability to move well in the outfield, however, his arm is flat bad, like a 30/40 on a 20-80 scale, so he’s likely to be forced to left field."
Next: The College outfielder