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MLB Draft Results: New York Yankees Select Kyle Holder With The 30th Pick In First Round

By Jason Evans

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After landing a college arm in James Kaprielian, the Yankees went college bat this time around. The Yankees selected shortstop Kyle Holder out of San Diego.

Holder was a two sport star in Junior College at basketball and baseball but decided to focus on baseball full-time. Holder was called on MLB Network after the pick quite possibly the best defensive player in the entire draft. He had just three errors in 127 chances this season.

Holder hit .348 this season with four homers, 31 RBI and 14 doubles.  He came into the draft as the 51st overall prospect in MLB.com’s rankings. He was the WCC player of the year and was on the Golden Spikes Award Watch List. Holder is a Semi-Finalist for the Brooks Wallace Award which goes to the best College Shortstop

Here’s part of his scouting report on MLB.com

"Unlike many college shortstops, there are absolutely no questions about Holder’s ability to stay at the premium position long-term. He has outstanding hands, range and footwork to go along with a strong arm and the athleticism that made him a good shooting guard carries over to baseball. The questions start to come when discussing his bat. While he is performing in his junior year and rarely strikes out, he’s still learning how to take good at-bats consistently, and power is never going to be a part of his game."

The Yankees like shortstops who can pick it and have guys like Jorge Mateo already in the system. Holder adds to that.

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