Yanks draft news

The Yankees had their highest pick since 1993 in the draft that started yesterday and with it they took 19 year-old SS/OF CJ Henry out of Putnam City High School. The first thing that stands out on his scouting report is 'has similar kinds of ability to Alex Rodriguez' which isn't a bad way to start. A five-tool player who has indicated that he wants to sign for the Yankees and not play basketball. Has a very high ceiling and could be quite a steal at #17.

The Yanks had to wait to #63 to pick again but when they did they went out and took James Cox out of the University of Texas. Cox, a relief pitcher took over from A's closer Hudson Street for the university and for Team USA. Could progress through the system very quickly.

Brett Gardner looks like a strange pick in the third round, a tremendous athlete who patrols CF very well and has blazing speed and good instincts but isn't a great hitter according to scouts even though a .447/.506/.571 record this year in college looks good. Very similar to Joey Gathright, a player the Yankees wanted earlier this season.

Lance Pendleton came in next but it was fifth round pick Zachary Kroenke that looks quite exciting. A LHP who has a heavy fastball and a good slider, needs some work but a good projection pick who could help the Yankees a lot in the future.

Douglas Fister came next but in the seventh and eighth rounds the Yankees look to have drafted very well. Garrett Patterson out of Oklahoma has a nice cut fastball and hitters only hit .192 off him all Spring, has good stuff and could be a future star, but so could CF Austin Jackson who dropped this far because he has a full scholarship from Georgia Tech to play basketball. If the Yanks can sign him then he could be an absolute steal and probably worth the risk.

I shall stop there for now as I really should get out of bed. Most reports I am reading seem to indicate that the Yankees have actually drafted pretty well and certainly a lot better than in the previous couple of years. We seem to have picked up some good talents lower down the draft which has to be good.

Oh and the Brew Crew beat us in a tight one last night - gah!