Pitching Continues To Dominate Yankees Draft

Yankees’ draft selection Justin Kamplain out of Alabama. Mandatory Credit: al.com

The Yankees can’t seem to get enough pitching, which is understandable. LHP Derek Callahan from Gonzaga University has been drafted by the Yankees in the 16th round, #482 overall. In his sophomore season last year, Callahan appeared in 13 games and finished the year with a 2-2 record and a 4.26 ERA. He was fourth on the team with 50.2 innings pitched, allowing 30 runs, 24 of them being earned. Callahan also struck out 27 batters while walking 20.

Young RHP Garrett Cave was drafted in the 17th round, coming from South Sumter High School in Sumterville, Florida. Although he is one of the youngest pitchers to be selected in the draft, and still has some work to do, Cave is definitely a promising addition. His fastball is now touching 93 mph, and his improvement on the curveball is going to be a dangerous pitch against hitters.

The Yankees then went with LHP Justin Kamplain from University of Alabama in the 18th round. In his sophomore year in 2013, Kamplain appeared in 20 games with six starts on the mound. He posted a 1-0 record with a 4.77 ERA in 54.2 innings pitched and finished the year with 50 strikeouts. Kamplain also had two save opportunities, both of which he completed successfully.

In the 19th round, RHP Joe Harvey wass chosen as the #572 overall pick from the University of Pittsburgh. This season, Harvey made 12 starts, finishing with a 2-2 record and posting a remarkable ERA of 2.90 in 71.1 innings pitched. He also led the Panthers with 56 strikeouts.

The 20th round pick goes to RHP Corey Holmes from Concordia University. Prior to attending Concordia, Holmes played two seasons at McLennan Community College in Waco, Texas and one at West Virginia University. During his time as a Mountaineer, he recorded a 5.71 ERA, struck out 12 and walked 12 in 17.1 innings of work. He also limited opposing hitters to a .219 batting average. While at McLennan, Holmes pitched a combined 13.1 innings and recorded 12 strikeouts in 13 appearances.