Grading the Yankees' last 6 first round draft picks

Yankees 2019 First Round Draft Pick: Anthony Volpe

Pick: 30th overall
School: Delbarton School (NJ)
Position: Shortstop

The Yankees were picking near the bottom of the first round in 2019 and were able to snag prep shortstop Anthony Volpe with the 30th overall pick. At the time, Volpe was considered a slick fielder with an advanced hit tool that many thought didn't have the size or swing to hit for much power. A lot of scouts liked him, as he got the most out of his tools, but his upside did appear to be limited.

Fortunately for New York, Volpe was able to overcome his perceived physical limitations and turned into one of the top prospects in all of baseball. His breakout season in the minor leagues would come in 2021, where he posted a 1.027 OPS with 27 homers and 33 stolen bases in the low minors. He would go on to hit 21 homers and 50 steals in 2022 and we were officially on Volpe Call-up Watch.

Volpe has indeed made it to the big leagues, and while his .688 OPS in his first 88 games in the bigs isn't great, he is still stealing bases, hitting homers, and playing very solid defense. The Yankees don't get full marks here just yet, as Volpe hasn't demonstrated that he can be an above average hitter the big leagues. However, getting this kind of value at the bottom of the first round is what you like to see.

Grade: A-