The day is finally here. Dreams will come true, and both prep and college kids will get the opportunity of a lifetime.
The Yankees went pitching heavy in the 2024 MLB Draft, drafting pitchers in the first seven rounds, so the question is whether they’ll go back to the old script of drafting a bit more depth in the field or if they’ll go hard on the pitching again. The Yankees start the draft with pick #39, towards the end of the 1st Round.
There are a few places that the Yankees are lacking in depth, specifically the corner infield positions. There is iffy depth at 1B, with questionable depth at 3B. Lombard Jr. is the likely favorite to take over the role in the near future, although he’s a natural SS/2B. Jesús Rodríguez plays 3B at times in Triple-A, although he’s a natural catcher that has some utility experience. Meanwhile, TJ Rumfield plays 1B in AAA, but his performance is likely AAAA at best. Further, in AA, Tyler Hardman mans 1B.
Rounds 1-10 affect the draft pool, while Rounds 11-20 do not, as long as they stay within the $150k slot value. If a certain pick goes over the $150k slot, the amount over slot that pick signs for is what is charged against the pool.
This article will be continuously updated throughout the drafting period. All players listed below must sign by July 28th.
Dax Kilby is a high-floor, hit-first prospect whose present strengths are a plus contact skill, excellent plate discipline, and above-average speed. His compact swing and ability to drive the ball consistently make him a reliable offensive weapon. While questions remain about his defensive home due to arm limitations, his offensive profile could carry him even if he transitions to second base or outfield.
Dax Kilby will be taken at 39th overall by the New York Yankees.
Kilby was one of my favorite prep bats in this class. I think he has significant upside offensively and can stick on the left side. pic.twitter.com/MQBjkRbuja
“Dax is a strong-bodied and athletic left-handed hitting shortstop,” said Damon Oppenheimer, Yankees Vice President of Domestic Amateur Scouting. “We really like his potential and ability to swing the bat, plus, he’s an excellent runner. As a high schooler, Dax has already shown an accomplished bat, a great feel to hit, and on top of that, some pop, which is exciting for us.”
Dax Kilby ('25, GA) hammers this to the pullside gap for a 2-run triple. Simple, smooth operation with balance throughout. Can easily lift balls with authority pullside. #Clemson commit #PGAAC@PG_Georgiapic.twitter.com/icXAdLiHpT
— Dick’s Sporting Goods All-American Classic (@PGAllAmerican) August 16, 2024
Round 3 (103rd): SS Kaeden Kent, Texas A&M (X:@Kaeden_Kent)
INF Kaeden Kent (Photo: Rachel Mahan/Texas A&M Athletics)
Kaeden Kent is a high-motor, left-handed hitting infielder. He brings clutch power, plate discipline, and on-field grit reminiscent of his MLB-honed upbringing (Son of former All-Star Jeff Kent). While his swing discipline and defense have room for growth, his competitive drive and versatility make him a strong MLB prospect entering professional baseball. He slashed .290/.389/.494 over 3 seasons, with 18 HR and 100 RBI in 135 games at Texas A&M.
“Our scouting for Kaeden goes back to the Cape Cod League, where we’ve had success watching college athletes play well in a professional environment. He also played well two years ago with Texas A&M in the College World Series. He’s a left-handed hitter, athletic, and can really play shortstop, which he showed us this past year,” said Oppenheimer. “Growing up around his father, Kaeden has experienced elite baseball, so he knows what it takes and has seen what his dad had to do to be a successful ballplayer. For us, Kaeden has made a name for himself.”
— PG College Baseball (@PGCollegeBall) June 4, 2025
Kohn is a stereotypical Yankees pick, as they go shopping again at Mississippi St (Cade Smith, 2023, 6th Rd.). He will likely end up a back-end starter or reliever given his arsenal. He has two solid pitches: a low-to-mid-90s fastball (91-94 T95) and a low-80s sweeper-slider, but also mixes in a low-80 change-up that has some fade. Kohn had Tommy John surgery in 2023 and missed that season, but had a pair of 11-strikeout appearances to open the 2024 season as a Sophomore. There’s room to grow in his 6-foot-4 frame, so the Yankees may look to build strength and, in turn, velo, in the long term.
Round 5 (164th): SS Core Jackson, Utah (X: @Corejackson32)
SS Core Jackson (Photo by: Sophia Kuder/Utah Athletics)
Jackson started at Nebraska, then went to a JuCo (South Mountain CC) and ended his collegiate career at Utah. One of the better (sleeper) collegiate shortstops available at the time with an average arm, is a solid runner and has good bat-to-ball skills. Jackson is a lefty bat, which would play well with the short porch at Yankee Stadium. He had a .968 fielding percentage in 2025, with a .365 (75-for-206) batting average with 44 RBI and 61 runs scored.
Fox led the ACC in OBA (.187) this season, mixing in four pitches: a 91-93 mph fastball that touches 96, a low-80s slider (his best offering), a mid-80s change-up and an upper-70s curveball. Fox finished the season with a 6.48 ERA, with a K/9 of 8.82 and BB/9 of 3.72. He has a brother that is in the Dodgers organization.
Notre Dame RHP Rory Fox was fantastic in the overnight game last night, striking out nine in six innings.
FB got up to 96 early with significant carry, relied heavily upon low-80s slider with two-plane break. Flashed CB/CH later in outing.
Bonomolo was named to the SEC All-Tournament Team, and was also on the SEC First Year Academic Honor Roll for 2025. He was ‘Bama’s everyday center fielder, starting all 59 games in his first year with the Rolling Tide. Bonomolo previously attended Wabash Valley College in 2023 & 2024, and was a Junior at Alabama in 2025. He had a .311 BA with 27 XBH, including 17 doubles and 8 HR. Notably, he successfully stole 16 bases in 17 attempts. Bonomolo is said to have “sneaky pop”, as he has a 5-foot-11, 200 lb. frame.
Oh my bat flip 😂😂
Richie Bonomolo 2 run shot. 6 run 6th for Alabama to take the lead over Southern Miss pic.twitter.com/czLjq4UVdL
— 11Point7 College Baseball (@11point7) April 9, 2025
OF Richie Bonomolo Jr. (@AlabamaBSB) picked up a pair of hits. Quick hds &atting .346, can really run.
Round 8 (254th): RHP Mac Heuer, Texas Tech (X: @jeffreyMacHeuer)
Another prototypical Yankees pitching selection, Heuer has a large 6-foot-5, 265 lb frame. His best pitch is a 93-95 MPH fastball that reaches 98 MPH that has some rise, along with a slider that sits in the mid-80s. He has good “stuff”, but needs more consistency in his pitches. 2025 was his Sophomore year, and he recorded a 6.28 ERA, with a K/9 of 8.15 and BB/9 of 3.91.
Heuer was previously drafted by the Guardians in the 16th Round of the 2023 MLB Draft.
— Baseball is Everything (@ReportOnSports) June 22, 2025
Round 9 (284th): RHP Blake Gillespie, UNC Charlotte (IG: @blake.gillespie)
Gillespie threw 61% sliders in 2025 and led all pitchers in the AAC with 99 strikeouts via the slider (had 131 total SO), which sits at about 78-82 MPH, and can vary the break on the slider, inducing lots of chase. Also has a fringy fastball 89-92; profiles as a reliever. Gillespie had a 2.42 ERA with UNC Charlotte in 2025 as a Junior, along with a K/9 of 11.75 and BB/9 of 1.70. As seen below, he also threw a complete game no-hitter versus James Madison, throwing 113 pitches and only walked one batter. The Yankees have done well drafting out of UNC Charlotte, with 2024 UDFA RHP Tony Rossi (1.24 ERA to date) and 2018 10th Round LHP Josh Maciejewski also from Charlotte.
The lefty bat out of Houston missed 24 of 55 games due to injury, but still led the team in doubles (14), batting average (.343), slugging (.610) and on-base (.450). McGinnis also had a 10-game hitting streak and a 15-game on-base streak, the latter of which was tied for first on the team. McGinnis transferred in from Blinn JC in Brenham, TX. He had a 20% miss rate in Houston, and doesn’t chase a lot. He won the JuCo World Series with Blinn JC, hitting a slash of .536/.786/.606/1.392.
COOGS CAME TO PLAY IN THEIR BIG 12 BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP DEBUT 🚨
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) May 22, 2025
Round 11 (344th): RHP Ben Grable, Indiana (IG: @bgnickel)
In his 5th year as a graduate student, Grable threw a 4.31 ERA in 56.1 IP, finished top 100 nationally in K/BB ratio (3.82) and 86th in the country in K/9 (10.38); had a 2.72 BB/9 as well. He missed all of 2024 due to an injury suffered in January 2024. Grable made 17 appearances for Indiana in 2025, with 11 of those as starts, but had a pair of saves out of the bullpen.
Ben Grable (rhp, @IndianaBase). Has been bright spot ramping up after missing '24.
Round 12 (374th): OF Camden Troyer, Liberty University (IG: @c.troyer_)
A predominant right-fielder (46 of 49 G in RF), Troyer was named to the 2024 C-USA All-Tournament team, and batted .300 in 2025, with 11 doubles, 3 triples and 10 HR, while driving in 44 runs. Troyer also had an OPS of .930 in 2025, and had a fielding percentage of .984, only committing 2 errors, and 3 career errors.
Round 13 (404th): OF Kyle West, West Virginia (IG: @kyle.west.39)
West was noted by MLB’s draft announcement as a first baseman, but his WVU profile lists him as an outfielder; Baseball Reference notes he’s a LF/1B. The possibility exists that the Yankees will use him in a utility role, but he spent all of 2025 (36 games) in LF. West slashed .298/.567/.418/.985 in 2025, with 15 doubles and 11 HR, plus 38 RBI. He had a slightly elevated K rate of 22.40%, but also worked walks at a 20.08% clip.
The Southland Conference Pitcher of the Year for 2025, Stuprich lead the conference in wins (9), innings pitched (90) and strikeouts (109), and also finished top 10 nationally with strikeouts. Stuprich finished 2025 with a 2.90 ERA, while making 14 appearances, all starts. He had a K/9 of 10.9, and a BB/9 of 2.8.
Brennan Stuprich might fit the "ace" term better than any other pitcher, moved to 8-2 with a win for @LionUpBaseball vs UTRGV, provided 8 strong innings, K'd 6 to move into 2nd place all-time in Southeastern Louisiana history
Round 15 (464th): RHP Jack Cebert, Texas Tech (IG: @jackcebertt)
The Tampa, FL-native has a sort of homecoming after spending a year at Texas Tech. Cebert was used mostly as a reliever with Texas Tech in 2025, making 19 total appearances, with 17 relief appearances and 2 starts. He went 7-3 in that span and had an ERA of 3.45 with 54 SO and 20 BB (8.1 K/9; 3 BB/9). Previously, he spent 2022-24 at USF where he averaged a 5.53 ERA in 151.1 IP, making 26 starts in 46 appearances.
— Baseball is Everything (@ReportOnSports) June 22, 2025
Round 16 (494th): SS Jackson Lovich, Missouri (IG: @jackson_lovich)
The second right-handed bat the Yankees select this year, Lovich slashed .357/.622/.430/.1.052 in 51 games played and 185 AB. In that span, he had 66 hits, of which 7 were doubles, 3 were triples and 12 were HR, plus he recorded 51 RBI. In 2024, Lovich led the team in runs batted in (35) and triples (4), and was second on the squad in total bases (94), hits (50), home runs (10) and on-base percentage.
Round 17 (524th): RHP Ryan Osinski, Virginia (IG: @ryanosinski13)
Osinski went 2-2 with a 5.57 ERA all out of the bullpen for the Cavaliers. The 6-foot-5 righty recorded 22 SO and 14 BB in 21 innings (9.43 K/9, 6 BB/9), and was named to the 2025 ACC All-Academic Team.
RHP Ryan Osinski (@UVABaseball) running it up to 94, mostly 91-93 from imposing 6’6”/235. Gets some DH angle when down, darting SL at 80-84 got a couple whiffs. Jr./‘25 elig. pic.twitter.com/zOTfwzyuVZ
The Yankees choose another Paducah Tilghman alumnus, after selecting Jackson Fristoe in the 12th round of the 2022 Draft. Another predominantly bullpen arm, West made 25 appearances in 2025, with only 2 of those appearances as starts. He threw 37 innings, recording an ERA of 5.59, a K/9 of 12.65 and BB/9 of 4.86.
Justin West is another arm for Louisville. Tall, lanky LHP, FB low-90s, big breaker, serviceable CH. pic.twitter.com/XiIvUiB2ow
Round 19 (584th): RHP Hayden Morris, Blinn College (JuCo)
The Yankees double dip from Blinn after selecting former alum Connor McGinnis in the 10th round. The 6-foot-8 freshman threw a 4.17 ERA in 19 appearances (14 starts), and had a 10-0 record. Morris had a K/9 of 11.05 (27.7 K%) and a BB/9 of 5. Morris also had an OBA of .233, and had a 5-inning no-hit appearance on February 15, striking out 12 batters. He has a plus-plus mid-90s fastball, and an average upper-80s curveball, but has below-average control. There is extreme risk here given past medicals (arm injury in high school, missed all of freshman year at JuCo), but is worth the reward.
Round 20 (614th): SS Bryce Martin-Grudzielanek, USC
The son of Mark Grudzielanek, it’s likely that Martin-Grudzielanek doesn’t sign for $150k given his stats. As a redshirt Junior in 2025, Martin-Grudzielanek slashed .294/.364/.433 with 41 RBI, 7 doubles, 1 triple and 8 HR, plus stole 9 bases of 10 attempts.
Named a First Team All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) and First Team ABCA/Rawlings All-Southeast Region. The first Georgia Bulldog in program history to be named a First Team All-American on the field and in the classroom in the same season.
Forgot to post this last night, but here’s Virginia Tech slugger David McCann’s absolute missile in the 10th inning that turned out to be the game winner for Falmouth pic.twitter.com/ig1twZkLT3
“Honestly, I asked God, ‘If you’re going to give me one this year, please let it be right now.’”
Gregory Bozzo picked the perfect time for his first home run of the season, hitting a go-ahead blast in the ninth to help @GoNUbaseball stave off elimination. pic.twitter.com/9hoZv3z4vg
How do you think the Yankees did? This looks like it may have been their best draft in a few years, but only time will tell on how they all pan out in the long run, if they all even sign. We look forward to bringing you coverage of their first few games from Tampa!
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