Written by Greg Fertel
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24 May 2008
It's very difficult to predict who will fall to the Yankees' sandwich round pick, given the chaotic nature of the draft, but I will see what I can come up with as legitimate possibilities to be available at #44 for the Yankees.
Of the guys I mentioned in my post about the 28th pick, there are several who could possibly be available at 44. Tanner Scheppers, due to his injury, could drop. There's also a possibility that David Cooper could last. Isaac Galloway, Anthony Hewitt, Brett Lawrie, and Kyle Lobstein could possibly be had there, though Hewitt and Lawrie seem to have some helium, so that seems increasingly unlikely. And given how lefties are over-drafted, I could see Lobstein being gone by at 44 as well.
High school SS/OF
Destin Hood is a toolsy prospect that could be available at #44 for the Yankees. A 2-sport recruit to Alabama (also a wide receiver), Hood will be a tough sign, but he has good raw power, great athleticism, and as you might imagine for a wide receiver prospect, good speed. His focus on 2 sports means he is not as polished as some of his contemporaries, which is the main reason an athlete like him would be available at this point in the draft. The Yankees definitely have the financial resources to get this kid signed should he get picked by them. He could be the next Matt Kemp, the next Austin Jackson, or the next CJ Henry, but athletes like this are always exciting to follow.
Xavier Avery is a high school outfielder with a similar profile as Hood. He is on the smaller side at 6'0", but like Hood, has 5-tool potential in a raw package. He is a 2-sport recruit to Georgia, and he could be a tough sign. Like Hood, he could be a high risk high reward signing.
Allan Dykstra, 1b from Wake Forest, is another lefty masher like David Cooper that would be limited to first base, but he has the power to be a decent, high floor value pick here.
Pepperdine outfielder
Eric Thames, yes the same one that the Yankees drafted in the 39th round but failed to sign last year as a draft-eligible sophomore, could also be a nice pick if he is available. Last season, he was an outfield prospect with good tools who did not translate those tools into performance, as evidenced by his 0 home runs. Thames broke out in a big way this season before tearing his quad recently. He was hitting over .400 with 13 home runs in one of the toughest hitters' parks in the NCAA (park factor of 71). If he can play centerfield at the major league level (and I'm not sure about that) he could be a good pickup.
BA is high on high school righty
Ross Seaton (ranking him as the #28 overall prospect) but I have not heard anything about him scouting wise. Nonetheless, he is ranked ahead of some impressive high school arms, which means that the 6'4" pitcher from Houston has something going for him, which could make him a good pick. I'll let you know if I find out more about him.
Anthony Gose is another toolsy high school outfielder, but is more of a speedy line drive hitter type. He profiles as a leadoff hitter, and doesn't have the power potential of Hood, Avery and others, but is another great athlete that could be worth drafting here. He might be a better prospect on the mound, as he is a lefty who can hit the mid-90's with a good curveball, but he has said he will not sign unless he is drafted as an everyday player. That said Yankees could give him 1 million reasons to change his mind if they want him as a pitcher.
James Darnell, 3b/OF from University of South Carolina is another college power bat who could be considered at 44. While he doesn't have Dykstra's raw power, his hit tool is very solid, and he can play the outfield, which works in his favor somewhat.
As of now, my ranking of these guys would probably be:
1. Destin Hood
2. Xavier Avery
3. Eric Thames
4. Anthony Gose (would be #1 if he were drafted as a pitcher)
5. Allan Dykstra
6. James Darnell
