New York Yankees: 2018 MLB Draft review and grade

New York Yankees 2018 MLB Draft Pick #2 – Josh Breaux, C – McLennan JC (TX)

Another catcher, Josh Breaux (pronounced “bro” by Nick Swisher on Monday night) was ranked 71st overall by MLB. Baseball America had him at 88th. He is a draft-eligible sophomore coming out of junior college who has also spent time on the mound. He doesn’t appear to want to pitch as a pro, however. That does mean he has a plus arm behind the plate. In fact, he has more than that in common with current Yankees backstop Gary Sanchez.

Like Sanchez, he has big raw power, patience, and is a bit stiff defensively overall. That said, Breaux has more swing and miss in his game but also more speed. He could, potentially, play some outfield. Despite the swing and miss, he did have more walks than strikeouts this year. He has a commitment to Arkansas but is likely to sign. Since he is just a sophomore and has a commitment to a big-time school, this will be another over-slot bonus. Perhaps in the $1.5M range.

Day two: Rounds three through ten.

New York Yankees 2018 MLB Draft Pick #3 – Ryder Green, OF – Karns HS (TN)

A high school outfielder, Ryder Green was selected more or less where his rankings suggested he should be. He is a toolsy player with plus power generated by excellent bat speed and plenty of strength. What’s more exciting is that he spent the spring using a wood bat and continued to produce. He is one of the best power hitting high school bats in the draft class.

While raw defensively in the outfield, he does have the tools to be an average or better defender in time. His arm is plus, and his speed is anywhere from average to plus, depending on which scout you ask. He has played second and third base throughout high school, with a bit of center field as well. Green will move to a corner as a pro.

Will he sign?

This is the first questionable draftee regarding the likelihood to sign. For the most part, players drafted in the first ten rounds do sign. The percentage is overwhelming. But Green has a strong commitment to a powerhouse baseball school in Vanderbilt.

Prying him away won’t be cheap, and this might be the biggest over slot bonus the team has to offer. With a slot allotment of $576,400.00 for the pick, the Yankees will certainly be going over. This may cost them something closer to their first-round bonus to get done.

Of course, the Yankees would not have used a third-round pick on him if they weren’t willing to go far enough to sign him. Chances are they had discussions with him before making the pick and know what he is asking for. And they had seven more picks with which to save some cash to get there.