Written by Greg Fertel
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26 May 2008
While it is generally accepted that a team must take the best player available in the first round or two of the Rule IV draft, teams will often follow distinct draft strategies to fill need in the later rounds. Two years ago, the Yankees injected Ian Kennedy, Joba Chamberlain,
Zach McAllister,
George Kontos,
Dellin Betances, Dan McCutchen, Tim Norton, David Robertson, and Marc Melancon in what was not only the most pitcher-centric draft that I can remember, but also one of the most successful.
The Yankees followed in 2007 with a mixed strategy; they picked up
Andrew Brackman, Ryan Pope, and Adam O. while selecting Austine Romine, Gerald Laird, Justin Snyder, Chase Wheems, and
Brad Suttle. The Yankees also are bringing into play a ton of young Latin American prospects including
Jairo Heredia, Prylis Cuello,
Jesus Montero, Abraham Almonte, and others.
Where should the Yankees focus? I think that another pitching surge would be both superfluous and wasteful. Any surge of college pitching will be immediately caught in a massive logjam that reaches its tentacles all the way from Triple-A to Tampa. High School pitching on the other hand could line up nicely between the GCL this year and the low leagues the year after. 2008 High School pitching draftees will sit comfortably behind their peers in the pipeline race, and the steady stream of pitchers should not get clogged up anywhere down the line.
Yankee position players are in a much more interesting and complex situation. Yankee hitting talent is spread out all over the system. Charleston's Brad Suttle, Justin Snyder, and Jesus Montero will all certainly be heading up to Tampa in 2009. This leaves plenty of space on the Charleston team, which will replace them mostly with Latin American. Considering the number of great Latin American players coming up, and the potential A-ball repeats of guys like Brandon Laird, Carmen Angelini, and even Austin Krum, the Yankees might be smart to select college hitters. Chase Weems is also a guy to keep an eye on.
Questions to be answered on draft day:
Will the Yankees finally select a well-regarded left-handed pitcher?
Other than filler, will the Yankees select another catcher?
Will Pat Venditte return?
Will the Yankees flex their financial muscle in the later rounds again?
Will other teams follow suit and go over slot to sign players?
What is the Yankee's level of faith in Carmen Angelini? Do they select a shortstop with a high pick?
Will the Yankees be willing to give out yet another major league contract to a top pick?
