Yankees' 2022 MLB Draft Guide and Top Prospects to Target
The New York Yankees have the No. 25 overall pick in the 2022 MLB draft, and that means who they take in the first round will be contingent on how the draft unfolds ahead of them.
The Yankees have never picked 25th before, but they have found good value at the back of the first round in years past, including Aaron Judge (No. 32 in 2013), Phil Hughes (No. 23 in 2004) and current top prospect Anthony Volpe (No. 30 in 2019).
Who might the Yankees be targeting this time around?
Ahead we've broken down three prospects who should be on their radar when their pick comes up in the 2022 MLB draft.
OF Dylan Beavers, California
California outfielder Dylan Beavers has a similar profile to Aaron Judge during his time at Fresno State.
The 6'4", 206-pound outfielder has some of the best raw power in the 2022 draft class, slugging 18 home runs as a sophomore and another 17 this spring, but there are some questions about his hit tool.
That said, he has erased some of those doubts this spring by making strides with his walk rate (+6.1%) and strikeout rate (-1.2%) while hitting .291/.427/.634 in 56 games.
His offensive upside could be enough to roll the dice on his hit tool in the first round.
OF Spencer Jones, Vanderbilt
After a relatively quiet 2021 season, Spencer Jones was one of the breakout stars of the Cape Cod League last summer, hitting .312/.424/.481 with three home runs and 18 RBI in 25 games.
That carried over to this spring when he hit .370/.460/.644 with 21 doubles, 12 home runs and 60 RBI in 61 games, adding 14 steals in 15 attempts.
His 64 strikeouts and 23.5 percent strikeout rate this spring raise some red flags, but there's also a lot of untapped potential in his 6'7", 225-pound frame, and he has as much upside as any of the second-tier college bats in the 2022 class.
OF Sterlin Thompson, Florida
With a smooth left-handed swing and an advanced hit tool, Sterlin Thompson emerged as one of the most productive college hitters in the country this year.
The 21-year-old hit .354/.443/.563 with 16 doubles, 11 home runs, 51 RBI and 10 steals this spring, and there's room to add additional strength to his 6'4", 200-pound frame, though he could also have a hit-over-power profile.
He has seen time at second base and third base in college, but his most likely long-term fit is at a corner outfield spot. Regardless, it's his bat that has vaulted him into the first-round conversation this spring, and it will be his carrying tool once he starts his pro career.
All stats courtesy of Baseball Reference.