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Draft Report Cards: New York Yankees
By John Manuel
October 20, 2010
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QUICK TAKE
This is a high-risk/high-reward class with up-the-middle athletes such as Culver, Gumbs and Williams. With strong pitching at the top of the farm system, the Yankees gambled on prep talent, so it will take time to see if it pans out.
Bonus Spending: $6.7 million
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER: OF Ben Gamel (10) does everything easy as a hitter, with a simple, low-maintenance swing and great balance. His bat is his best tool, and he has no glaring weakness. » BEST POWER HITTER: In a draft centered on athletes, the Yankees took no true sluggers other than 1B Kyle Roller (8), and 3B Rob Segedin (3) has as much raw power, though he doesn't have a feel for lofting the ball yet. » FASTEST RUNNER: OF Mason Williams (4) got the largest bonus of any Yankees draftee thanks to his athleticism and 70 speed on the 20-80 scouting scale, though some clubs grade his 6.4-second 60 times as 80 speed. » BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: SS Cito Culver (1) went 32nd overall because of his ability to play shortstop. He has good hands, range and natural instincts and always seems to get the good hop thanks to his feel and footwork.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: RHP Tommy Kahnle (5) can hit 98 mph out of the bullpen and sat in the 93-95 mph range as a starter this spring. Raw RHP Connor Mullee (24) has similar arm strength and a better pitcher's body at 6-foot-3, 185 pounds. » BEST SECONDARY PITCH: RHP Chase Whitley (15) has a plus changeup. If his slider develops, he'll have a shot to start and may do that in 2011 to get some innings.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: Whitley tied for second in the New York-Penn League with 15 saves and finished his season in the Florida State League playoffs, going 4-2, 1.27 overall with 45 strikeouts in 35 innings. Culver didn't post gaudy numbers (.251/.325/.330) but was playing in the NY-P as a 17-year-old in August. RHP Zach Varce (11) led the NY-P with 74 strikeouts in 71 innings. He was 4-6, 4.54 in 14 starts. » BEST ATHLETE: Angelo Gumbs (2) may be athletic enough to stay in the infield and was at shortstop in instructional league. He has strength, quickness and a lightning-quick bat thanks to his athletic ability. » MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND: Gamel's brother Matt is in the majors with the Brewers, while unsigned Michael O'Neill (42) is the nephew of former Yankees outfielder Paul. » CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: Kahnle and Whitley should move quickest as relievers, with Whitley taking an early lead with his debut. » BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: Whitley and Mullee, who was mostly a shortstop in college. Area scout Cesar Presbott followed him because of his arm strength. He is raw and will have to develop his secondary stuff, but his arm strength is undeniable. » THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: The Yankees made a late run at RHP Josh Dezse (28), a Columbus, Ohio, native who could not be swayed from his Ohio State commitment. He touched 95 late in the summer.
By John Manuel
October 20, 2010
E-mail Print
QUICK TAKE
This is a high-risk/high-reward class with up-the-middle athletes such as Culver, Gumbs and Williams. With strong pitching at the top of the farm system, the Yankees gambled on prep talent, so it will take time to see if it pans out.
Bonus Spending: $6.7 million
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER: OF Ben Gamel (10) does everything easy as a hitter, with a simple, low-maintenance swing and great balance. His bat is his best tool, and he has no glaring weakness. » BEST POWER HITTER: In a draft centered on athletes, the Yankees took no true sluggers other than 1B Kyle Roller (8), and 3B Rob Segedin (3) has as much raw power, though he doesn't have a feel for lofting the ball yet. » FASTEST RUNNER: OF Mason Williams (4) got the largest bonus of any Yankees draftee thanks to his athleticism and 70 speed on the 20-80 scouting scale, though some clubs grade his 6.4-second 60 times as 80 speed. » BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: SS Cito Culver (1) went 32nd overall because of his ability to play shortstop. He has good hands, range and natural instincts and always seems to get the good hop thanks to his feel and footwork.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: RHP Tommy Kahnle (5) can hit 98 mph out of the bullpen and sat in the 93-95 mph range as a starter this spring. Raw RHP Connor Mullee (24) has similar arm strength and a better pitcher's body at 6-foot-3, 185 pounds. » BEST SECONDARY PITCH: RHP Chase Whitley (15) has a plus changeup. If his slider develops, he'll have a shot to start and may do that in 2011 to get some innings.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: Whitley tied for second in the New York-Penn League with 15 saves and finished his season in the Florida State League playoffs, going 4-2, 1.27 overall with 45 strikeouts in 35 innings. Culver didn't post gaudy numbers (.251/.325/.330) but was playing in the NY-P as a 17-year-old in August. RHP Zach Varce (11) led the NY-P with 74 strikeouts in 71 innings. He was 4-6, 4.54 in 14 starts. » BEST ATHLETE: Angelo Gumbs (2) may be athletic enough to stay in the infield and was at shortstop in instructional league. He has strength, quickness and a lightning-quick bat thanks to his athletic ability. » MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND: Gamel's brother Matt is in the majors with the Brewers, while unsigned Michael O'Neill (42) is the nephew of former Yankees outfielder Paul. » CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: Kahnle and Whitley should move quickest as relievers, with Whitley taking an early lead with his debut. » BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: Whitley and Mullee, who was mostly a shortstop in college. Area scout Cesar Presbott followed him because of his arm strength. He is raw and will have to develop his secondary stuff, but his arm strength is undeniable. » THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: The Yankees made a late run at RHP Josh Dezse (28), a Columbus, Ohio, native who could not be swayed from his Ohio State commitment. He touched 95 late in the summer.
