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Yankees 2022 Draft Watch: How did NYY do with first two selections?

OMAHA, NEBRASKA - JUNE 30: Spencer Jones #34 of the Vanderbilt leads off first base against Mississippi St. in the bottom of the second inning during game three of the College World Series Championship at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha on June 30, 2021 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
OMAHA, NEBRASKA - JUNE 30: Spencer Jones #34 of the Vanderbilt leads off first base against Mississippi St. in the bottom of the second inning during game three of the College World Series Championship at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha on June 30, 2021 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

The New York Yankees made their draft picks with the 25th overall selection in the first round and 61st overall in the second round of the 2022 Major League Baseball Draft. The Yankees went with outfielder Spencer Jones out of Vanderbilt and right-handed pitcher Drew Thorpe out of California Polytechnic State University.

Yankees’ 2022 MLB Draft results for first and second round

The Yankees went to the top brand in college baseball to secure their first-round pick.  While they were 25th in line to choose, it was easy to spot probably the biggest guy in the draft room.

Spencer Jones is a 21-year-old standing at a towering 6-foot-7 and weighing 225 pounds. His name was a hot topic early in his career, right as his draft profile was birthed. In the 2019 MLB Draft, he was selected in the 31st round by the Los Angeles Angels out of La Costa Canyon High School, but he decided to honor his commitment and become a Vandy boy.

Jones had above-average numbers, which displayed value to Vanderbilt’s success, producing in meaningful games. In 2022, he logged 85 hits (12 home runs), 60 RBI and 14 stolen bases in 61 games. In three college seasons, he finished with 118 hits, 15 home runs, 73 RBI, 18 stolen bases, and a .329 batting average. Originally a pitcher (in fact, a two-way player!) surgery due to two elbow injuries pushed him primarily in the outfield. Jones has a lot of pop in in his bat with above-average power and above-average speed on the base paths. Although the Yankees have a pull-shot right-field advantage, Jones hits to all fields, primarily the opposite field. Multiple scouts and platforms have compared Jones to Aaron Judge from the left side.

Pretty nice selection from the Bombers here late in the first round.

  • RHP Drew Thorpe, California Polytechnic State University

The Yankees added a right-handed prospect to the farm system pitching staff in Drew Thorpe out of Cal Poly. Thorpe is a sophomore with three seasons at Cal Poly and two summer ball stints; with Peninsula in the Alaska Baseball League and Yarmouth-Dennis is the Cape Cod League. He ranks 61st on the top 200 MLB Draft prospects list. This 21-year-old has a way to go. However, he has a ton of potential and projection.

The 6-foot-4, 195-pounder relies heavily on a well-commanded four-seam fastball sitting at 91-93 MPH that he can work all over the zone. Thorpe also boasts a good changeup, but has his slider as his biggest developing weapon, which he throws in the low-80s with good sinking action.

Thorpe is very athletic, delivering from a ¾ slot with a short sling-shotting arm action that creates a difficult read for hitters. In three college seasons, he finished 17-8 with a 3.03 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 284 strikeouts and only 70 walks in 223 innings.

There’s some developing to be done, but hopefully the Yankees’ system can help him hone his strengths.

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