New York Yankees: 2018 MLB Draft review and grade
By Damian Dydyn
The day one picks.
New York Yankees 2018 MLB Draft Pick #1 – Anthony Seigler, C – Cartersville HS (GA)
This may seem like an odd pick. Anthony Seigler was ranked 46th overall by MLB Pipeline, exactly twice the 23rd pick he was selected with. Baseball America had him ranked 41st, so either way, this looks like a reach.
And that’s the thing about the MLB draft; you can’t just go by pre-draft rankings and assert one pick is a reach while another is a steal. These rankings are highly subjective and should only be considered a rough guide.
In this case, the Yankees have drafted a fairly rare asset. Seigler is a switch-hitting catcher who is also a switch pitcher. That’s right, he bats from both sides of the plate and throws with both arms. His future as a pro is behind the plate, however, so his ability to pitch with either hand will carry forward as more of a quirk. He has a commitment to Florida, but the Yankees wouldn’t have picked him in the first round if they thought he might not sign.
What does he bring to the table?
Anthony Seigler is a solid defensive catcher with a strong arm and well rated receiving skills. Baseball America cites 2.00 pop times among his strengths (that’s already a major league average skill). He hits well from both sides of the plate, though is more of a gap to gap hitter than a home run threat.
The Yankees have raved about his well-rounded skill set and his makeup. As a high school draftee, he will likely have enough leverage to command an above-slot bonus. With the allotment for the 23rd pick being just over $2.8M, don’t be surprised to see the announced figure north of $3M.