Yankees 2024 MLB Draft Signings Tracker: Day 2, Day 3 picks, bonuses
By Adam Weinrib
![Feb 18, 2023; Bessemer, AL, USA; Alabama pitcher Ben Hess (27) fields a bunt and throws to first to record an out. The Crimson Tide faced Richmond in the season-opening series.
Sports Alabama Vs Richmond College Baseball Feb 18, 2023; Bessemer, AL, USA; Alabama pitcher Ben Hess (27) fields a bunt and throws to first to record an out. The Crimson Tide faced Richmond in the season-opening series.
Sports Alabama Vs Richmond College Baseball](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_2969,h_1670,x_0,y_244/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/43/01j2v8ttxye0cq18pbkh.jpg)
The New York Yankees shook up Sunday night's opening evening of the MLB Draft by taking Alabama strikeout machine Ben Hess with their first-round pick. It was widely assumed the Yankees would pick from a number of falling bats at their admittedly less-than-ideal position. Instead, they chose a starter with massive upside, but also with an existing flexor strain, a history of back problems in high school, and a 5.80 ERA in 2024 (and, yes, an historic number of strikeouts). The potential for Hess is massive. The potential for Hess at pick 53 vs. 26? Would've seemed a little bit brighter.
New York's first two selections (Hess, Vanderbilt's Bryce Cunningham) were both collegiate arms who, theoretically, wouldn't command as much bonus pool money as high schoolers who need to be swayed away from college commitments. The Hess selection, especially, means the Yankees might have a good amount of overslot money to spend. As the draft continues, we'll catalog the Yankees' selections below, and update this piece as prospects commit to the Bombers.
Day 2 (Monday) will feature rounds 3-10, while Day 3 will feature a good deal of the heavy lifting (Rounds 11-20). Teams can no longer select a Mike Piazza-type in the 52nd round, but our recommendation would be if you have a future Hall of Famer on your board, just take him earlier. There. Solved that problem with science.
The Yankees also did not receive a single compensatory pick for losing a designated free agent in this particular draft.
2024 Yankees MLB Draft Tracker: Signings Update, Bonuses
Round 1, No. 26 Overall: Ben Hess, RHP, Alabama (Signed, $2,747,500; Slot Value: $3,332,900)
Round 2, No. 53 Overall: Bryce Cunningham, RHP, Vanderbilt (Signed, $2,297,500; Slot Value: $1,721,200)
Round 3, No. 89 Overall: Thatcher Hurd, RHP, LSU (Signed, $837,400; Slot Value: $838,900)
A right-handed pitcher who grew up in Manhattan Beach, CA? Yeah, Damon Oppenheimer's been all over Thatcher Hurd long before he came to LSU. Another pitcher whose stats lag behind his stuff; he won College Baseball National Player of the Week on March 13, 2023, but posted a 6.55 ERA overall last year and 5.68 mark in '23.
Round 4, No. 119 Overall: Gage Ziehl, RHP, Miami (Slot Value: $606,700)
Ziehl, a converted closer, was MLB Pipeline's 89th-ranked prospect entering the draft. Ironically, the Yankees picked 89th, but waited 30 more picks to snag him. The six-foot Hurricane touched 97 as a freshman out of the bullpen, but managed to convert to the rotation and hold down the fort as a Friday night starter. Intriguing pick.
Round 5, No. 152 Overall: Greysen Carter, RHP, Vanderbilt (Signed for Exact Slot Value: $440,100)
Carter was represents the second Yankees selection from the Vandy Boys pitching staff. Yet another swingman whose electric fastball (70 grade, dating back to high school) has been masked by poor performance (6.58 ERA in 2024).
Round 6, No. 181 Overall: Griffin Herring, LHP, LSU (Slot Value: $339,600) - Signed, and this one was somewhat unexpected. Overslot at $797,500.
Another pitcher. Another repeat university: the 2023 College World Series champions. Herring was a filthy reliever and sweeper merchant, and could fit in nicely in the Yankees' bullpen plans. Fast-riser potential.
Round 7, No. 211 Overall: Wyatt Parliament, RHP, Virginia Tech (Slot Value: $265,800) - Signed, $199,350. Underslot.
6'4". 215 pounds. Not profiled by MLB Pipeline. A big-bodied right-handed pitcher. Another one for the New York Yankees in a draft that's swiftly becoming ludicrously repetitive.
Round 8, No. 241 Overall: Tyler Wilson, OF, Grand Canyon (Slot Value: $215,100) - Signed, $47,500. WAY underslot.
A ... non-pitcher?! The switch-hitting outfielder out of Taiwan will hopefully have a better showing in the Yankees' system than Tayler Aguilar, chosen in the 15th round out of Grand Canyon two drafts ago; he's already been released.
Round 9, No. 271 Overall: Tanner Bauman, LHP, Auburn (Slot Value: $192,600) - Signed, Bonus $37,500. WAY underslot.
Don't worry. The Yankees didn't have enough pitching through the first seven rounds. This time, they went lefty again, adding a 6'5", 225-pound burner and their second southpaw of the draft.
Round 10, No. 301 Overall: Joe Delossantos, OF, William & Mary (Slot Value: $181,600) - Signed, Bonus TBD
The righty-swinging outfielder is a fifth-year senior and an on-base machine at the collegiate leve.
Round 11, No. 331 Overall: Mack Estrada, RHP, Northwest Florida State Junior College
Round 12, No. 361 Overall: Brendan Jones, CF, Kansas State - Signed. Awesome fit. $150,000.
Round 13, No. 391 Overall: Dillon Lewis, OF, Queens University of Charlotte - Signed (And Excited), $150,000.
Round 14, No. 421 Overall: Austin Green, 2B, Texas Tech - Signed, $150,000
Round 15, No. 451 Overall: Marshall Toole, OF, Wofford - Signed, $150,000.
Round 16, No. 481 Overall: Xavier Rivas, LHP, Ole Miss - Signed, $150,000.
Round 17, No. 511 Overall: JoJo Jackson, OF, Georgia State (switch-hitter) - Signed, 07/18/2024. $150,000.
Round 18, No. 541 Overall: Gus Hughes, RHP, High Point University - Signed, $50,000.
Round 19, No. 571 Overall: Brandon Decker, RHP, Oakland University - Signed, $50,000.
Round 20, No. 601 Overall: Cole Royer, RHP, Pierce County HS (Georgia)
That's one. One. ONE HIGH SCHOOLER in the Yankees' entire draft. Stick right here to see if the two parties actually have any intention of staying together long-term.
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