Yankees Draft: New York Selects ASU Infielder and JC Pitcher on Day 2 (Draft Tracker)

The New York Yankees draft bonanza continues on Day 2 with third- and fourth-round picks.

Apparently, it takes brawn to be a Yankees draft pick these days — New York clocked in at the tail end of the first round on Wednesday and selected Austin Wells, a slugging catcher (and born Red Sox fan) who may hit his way out from behind the plate.

Concurrently, the team passed on Bobby Miller, a potential reliever and rocket arm out of Louisville, who went immediately to the Dodgers at pick No. 29.

https://twitter.com/RetroDodgers/status/1270898631881764865?s=20

New York forfeited their second- and fifth-round picks in order to sign Gerrit Cole (in hindsight, worth it!), so they’ll wrap this draft after their fourth-round selection (No. 129 overall). So, let’s get tracking!

At Pick No. 99, the Yankees draft: Trevor Hauver, Arizona State (2B/OF)

Another “bat over position” selection for the Yanks!

Hauver played in the outfield collegiately and protected first overall pick Spencer Torkelson, but the Yankees announced him as a second baseman, and expert Jonathan Mayo believes he can “stick on the dirt” in the bigs.

The versatile ASU bat hit leadoff for the Sun Devils ahead of Torkelson and Hunter Bishop in his sophomore season, but moved behind the big man this year. His last full campaign was a Pac-12 honorable mention season that vaulted him onto the prospect map, in which he hit .339 and slugged .574 with 13 blasts.

The Yankees appear to be intent on stockpiling bat-first collegiate players, despite being connected to plenty of arms in the pre-draft process. Of course, it’s easier to put stock in a bat with more recorded production, this year of all years. Scouting’s at a minimum, and so much of the 2020 draft is resting on sophomore seasons and summer production on Cape Cod. There’s a lot to like about Hauver, MLB Pipeline’s projected 130th overall player.

At Pick No. 129, Yankees Draft: Beck Way, P, Northwest Florida State

Finally, the Yankees addressed their pitching! “Finally” in the thickest possible quotes, considering this draft is four rounds long. Beck Way, Northwest Florida State pitcher, come on down!

Way was ranked higher than New York’s third-round pick on MLB Pipeline’s list — he also starred on the Cape (shocker!) for the Cotuit Kettleers. More of the same, right? Pitcher shows flashes against a heightened level of competition, increases his draft stock.

The 6-4 Way could head to LSU. Hopefully, he doesn’t.

But don’t take it from us! Take it from his workout partner, and Baseball America.

https://twitter.com/j_wilson015/status/1271256770808332288?s=20

Cross your fingers here, Yankee fans. Could be a good one.