Aaron Boone's reaction to Yankees drafting Andy Pettitte's son unlocked a possibility

Luke Pettitte isn't the first post-Andy member of the Pettitte family to be drafted by the Yankees. Back in 2013, they threw a flyer at Josh, who declined the offer (and the optics) and pitched at Rice instead. Middle son Jared joined the Marlins after his career at Dallas Baptist University, then retired midway through his second pro season.

But Luke's case is very different. His prospect pedigree is more legitimate, earning him an eighth-round selection instead of a courtesy choice in a round that no longer exists. Not only is he a pitcher — a righty, which surely grinds his dad's gears — but he DH'd in college following Tommy John surgery and absolutely mashed. Though he was announced as a two-way player, most fans (and this writer) heard "Pettitte" and assumed, "Ok, those days are over, we've got ourselves a pitcher."

Aaron Boone's scouting report ... had us thinking a little differently, though.

Boone was thrilled and surprised to find out, in the wake of the Yankees' third straight eighth-inning comeback win in Washington, that the Bombers had drafted the youngest Pettitte. And maybe, just maybe, given that "big power" was the main attribute Boone emphasized, the team could end up cultivating Pettitte's offensive prowess instead of his mound presence.

You'll really know he's a younger Pettitte if he raises his batting glove just below his eyes as he's setting up his stance.

Luke Pettitte's college stats tell story of a potential Yankees DH prospect as signing becomes official

Knowing full well the Yankees wouldn't put major development time into a DH-only prospect, it seems likely the team will keep Pettitte on the mound for now — but should dabble in letting him do both of the things that make him feel whole.

And, would you look at that - Pettitte, thought of as a top-round talent and far from a nepotism addition, inked his first Yankees contract on Wednesday.

Pettitte earned a Conference USA Hitter of the Week award last season during a year in which he batted .337 with a 1.096 OPS and 16 home runs. Though his father Andy famously singled home the tying run on Halloween 2009 in Game 3 of the World Series, it's safe to say there's a bit more pop in his son's bat (and, hopefully, when his son reaches base, he doesn't immediately throw on a big thermal jacket).

Whatever happens with Pettitte's development path, it's very cool that the Yankees made him a mid-round pick, and it's far cooler that he completely earned it. Heck yeah! We're fired up.

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