The Major League Baseball Amateur draft is set for July 13th, 2025. With just over a month to go, the New York Yankees need to solidify a plan of attack to pad their farm system. Prioritizing their needs in this draft is key.
The Yankees won’t have their turn at the table until much later in the first rounds of the draft. The club was expected to pick in the 29th spot, but they’ve moved back based on financial implications.
Yankees Draft Position Puts Them at Disadvantage in the First Round
The club has moved 10 spots back to the 39th overall pick, as their payroll decisions took effect on this year’s draft. They’ve exceeded the second surcharge threshold of the competitive balance tax. What does this mean?
The Yankees’ first-round pick will move to the Competitive Balance Round “A”. This will come after the standard first-round selections. Money-wise, the Yankees will have a slim account for the bonus pool.
Their pool money values just above $5 million with a $2.5 million in slot value for the 39th pick. The club also won’t have a second-round pick in this draft, as they forfeited that slot due to signing starting pitcher Max Fried.
Pickings will be slim in the early stages, as the first 38 ranked players will be up for grabs. They will need to make wise, well-thought-out selections in this draft. Addressing their organizational needs with the most valuable options will be key.
The Yankees’ Top Draft Priority Should Be Behind the Plate
Without a doubt, the Yankees need to prioritize catching. Development in catchers can produce wonders, and it seems the Yankees have been relying on that. Austin Wells has panned out to be exactly that guy.
Wells first heard his name in the draft in 2018 by the Yankees, and the second time was in the 2022 draft, where he was selected in the first round. His debut was September 1st, 2023.
Wells is now on the elite side of the major leagues, and it’s taken him around two seasons to fully hone his game. This situation has worked out well for the Yankees. That goes to show the prioritization of catchers succeeding in the long run.
Their last drafted catcher was Ben Rice in 2021, but he has become more of a first baseman and a great left-handed bat to have in the lineup.
The Pipeline Contains Little Catching Coverage
Looking at the Yankees “next up” for catchers in their farm system is a tad scary. The club has three potential options within the pipeline who can catch; the issue is identifying who will primarily be behind the dish.
Ranked 11th overall in the system is Edgleen Perez, who is a right-handed hitter catcher and first baseman. Scouts project he will primarily be a catcher. The No. 15 prospect is Rafael Flores who’s a first baseman and catcher in development. His future defensive spot is not exactly determined yet, as evaluations continue. Lastly, their 30th-ranked prospect is Jesus Rodriguez, another questionable option behind the plate.
These issues and unknowns are enough for the Yankees to consider taking a high-ranking catching prospect in this year’s draft.
