Yankees Draft: 3 Picks New York Should Have Made in 2020

2. Yankees Draft: Jake Eder Over Trevor Hauver

The New York Yankees draft could’ve included a top-60 pitcher in Jake Eder in the third round.

The Yankees clearly emphasized pitching less than draft analysts did on their behalf.

At the tail end of the third round, New York had a chance to add lefty starter Jake Eder, ranked 54th overall by MLB Pipeline and a member of the victorious Vanderbilt Commodores.

Instead, New York selected Spencer Torkelson’s protection, adding Trevor Hauver, a gamer whose contributions likely go beyond traditional metrics. We get it, but we prefer Eder, who went to the Marlins (you let Jeter get the best of you?!) near the start of the next round.

Eder, in 39.1 innings pitched during his full sophomore season, whiffed 41 batters and posted a 2.97 ERA. He continued on to the Cape Cod League and toiled for Orleans that summer, with a 1.20 ERA in three starts, which likely stood out in such a stunted scouting season.

If the Yankees had followed Wells with Eder, they could’ve added a polished college arm and bat against the odds. Instead, they doubled up on the lumber, potentially against their better judgment.