Getting to know New York Yankees' second-round pick Austin Aune

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Players selected in the Major League Baseball First-Year Draft are never a sure thing. There are many early round selections that don’t pan out and numerous lower round picks who attain success in the big leagues. There are qualities teams look for when evaluating talent; athletic abilities beyond hitting or throwing a baseball, a hard work ethic, determination, humility and confidence. Players who exhibit these characteristics tend to be among the more successful in the game. The New York Yankees extensively scouted second round pick (89^th overall) Austin Aune and ultimately drafted him because he possesses all these qualities and more.

Aune is one of many 18-year old two-sport stars drafted in the early rounds. He was also a standout quarterback for the Argyle High School Eagles (Texas). He was already at Texas Christian University getting ready for summer workouts with their football team when he received word that the Yankees had selected him in the draft.

This was of no real surprise to Aune and when I asked him via email about it, he had this to say, “I knew there was a possibility of being drafted by the Yankees, just because they had been to some of my high school games. When I got the call I was really honored to be wanted by a team with a ton of history…We agreed to terms on Tuesday morning before I was picked. Once I was picked I knew it was going to be official.”

Aune pretty much packed up his things and spoke with his football coach at TCU to let him know he was going to pursue life as a professional baseball player. His coach was not surprised as they knew of Aune’s desire to pursue baseball and had a back-up plan in place in case Aune did in fact leave the school.

The Yankees entered the draft looking for players with specific attributes both physically and mentally. They had a draft plan which sought pitchers with power arms and position players who could excel up the middle. Aune, a shortstop for a better part of this high school career, will be shifted to center field once he begins rookie ball with the Gulf Coast League Yankees in Tampa, FL later this summer.

I spoke by phone with Argyle’s athletic director and head football coach Todd Rodgers, who has known Aune since the 8^th grade, and he noted that because of his “tremendous” athletic ability and his ability to “track the ball” he’ll have little issue making the transition. When Aune was posed the same question, he exuded the confidence the Yankees must have seen, “I don’t think anything will be hard about the transition. I played CF my junior season so all I need to do is get out there and play.”

In my discussion with Rodgers, I asked him about Aune’s ability to tune out the scouts who swarmed his games with upwards of 15-20 sets of scrutinizing eyeballs watching at various times. He said that Aune was seemingly unfazed by the attention and “likes the big show”. Aune added, “Honestly the scouts didn’t bother me too much. I was just focused on being who I am and playing my game.” (continued on next page)

Aune’s game has been described as that of an athlete with the capabilities of becoming a five tool player. Per MLB.com’s draft tracker Aune is, “…a potential five-tool player, Aune bats lefty and has potential plus power… Aune could potentially play center field at the next level, especially because of his great speed and arm…Aune’s upside and great makeup should allow the toolsy outfielder to be picked in the early going of the Draft.”

Aune agrees that his bat is his best weapon, but also noted that there are skills he can improve on including a mental aspect of the game. He stated, “I think my best tool is hitting for average, [but] I need to work both on my speed and arm strength… I’d like to work on my hitting, not necessarily my mechanics, but my at-bats and seeing a lot of pitch[es]. I think that will really help my game.”

Rodgers mentioned when we talked that Aune’s work ethic was excellent and that he put substantial time into strength and agility training while in high school. Rodgers feels that Aune has the “moxy” to make it in the big leagues and he could handle the pressures of New York should he make it that far. Rodgers stated that Aune “kept his head down” and went about his work on the field, while avoiding outside distractions.

Aune, when asked what his greatest strength was, answered not about his athletic ability but spoke of competitiveness and stressed hard work, “I’ve been blessed with good talent and I think that my love for the game and competitiveness really make me the player that I am. Even if you have talent you have to work hard and I try to out-work people to become the best player I can be.”

Aune, while certainly acknowledging and believing in his abilities is modest when speaking of them. I asked him when he knew he could be drafted to play professional baseball. He said, “Not really until the middle of my senior season of high school. I was just planning to go to TCU, but a lot of scouts were showing up and I was playing [well] so I knew there could be [an] opportunity [to be drafted].” To the same question, Rodgers felt he knew Aune was going to be a special player from the onset of his time in high school. Rodgers wasn’t at all surprised that Aune turned into the caliber player he is right now.

His athletic talent and his mental makeup is what lured the Yankees to Aune. I asked Aune if the pressures of playing for a franchise with a win or else attitude caused any him any apprehension. In a matter-of-fact way he answered, “I wouldn’t want it any other way. It’s perfect,” and further added, “It’s been my dream to be a major league baseball player and to play for the Yankees will make my dream even better.”

Austin Aune will be making his way to Tampa, FL in the near future. I asked him if there was anything that made him nervous about the path he is about to take. Like a pro he responded, “I wouldn’t say nervous, but I’m anxious to play at the highest level that a kid my age can play and represent the greatest organization in baseball.” The Yankees picked a winner!

For a daily recap of top performances in the minors from the previous day check out Prospect Pulse on Seedlings to Stars.

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Getting to know New York Yankees’ second-round pick Austin Aune

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