Yankees Select Nick Solak 62nd Overall

With the 62nd overall pick in the second round of the 2016 MLB June Amateur Draft, the New York Yankees select second baseman Nick Solak out of the University of Louisville.

Rapid Reaction:

Louisville must be doing something right.

Solak was the fourth player from Louisville selected over the first two rounds on Thursday, joining teammates Corey Ray (Brewers, fifth overall), Zach Burdi (White Sox, 26th overall) and Will Smith (Dodgers, 32nd overall).

The 21-year old Solak is a right-handed hitter standing 5-foot-11 and weighing in at 175 lbs. He entered the draft as the No. 147th overall prospect in MLB.com’s pre-draft rankings.

Scouting Report: (Courtesy of MLB.com 2016 Prospect Watch)

An unheralded recruit, Solak made an instant impact as a freshman, posting the highest batting average (.351) and on-base percentage (.455) on Louisville’s 2014 World Series team as a semi-regular. He hit .455 in his first 22 games this year before getting hit on the right hand by a pitch and missing a month. He wasn’t as productive following his return but still is regarded as one of the better hitters in the college ranks.Solak also produced with wood bats in the Cape Cod League last summer, ranking second in OBP (.438) and fourth in hitting (.329). He has a line-drive stroke and focuses on the middle of the field, an approach that leads to consistent contact but not much power. Once he gets on base, he has the solid speed and good instincts to make things happen.A DH as a freshman and primarily a corner outfielder as a sophomore, Solak has moved to second base this spring. He has sure hands and his quickness gives him range, though he doesn’t have the smoothest infield actions and some scouts wonder if he might wind up in center field in pro ball. He receives praise for his gritty makeup.

The Draft continues on Friday with Rounds 3-10.