Draft Prediction

The first round of the MLB rule 4 draft begins tonight at 7. Sometime around 10:30 or 11, the Yankees should be on the clock with the 51^st selection in the draft, awarded to them when Javier Vazquez did not accept arbitration as a type B free agent. The past few weeks I’ve previewed outfielders, corner infielder, middle infielders, catchers and pitchers who may be available in the supplemental round. Here’s who I think the Yankees will take tonight.

Tyler Goeddel, St. Francis HS, Mountain View California

Bats/Throws: R/R

6’4”, 175 lbs

I first wrote about Goeddel while previewing outfielders that could be available in the supplemental round. He was mentioned again when the rumor came across from Frankie Piliere that the Yankees were interested in him. Here’s why I think he’s the selection. The Rays and Red Sox both have multiple picks and the early word is they’re going to be big spenders. Traditional prospects requiring a lot of money to sign are high school seniors who demand large bonuses to keep them away from college. While I would like other prospects to fall and make it to 51, I don’t think it’s in the cards this year. Additionally, Goeddel fits with the “Oppenheimer profile” very well. He’s an athletic, a bit raw but plays an up the middle position and has plenty of tools.

Goeddel is the son of a famous biotech engineer and the brother of Mets prospect Erik Goeddel. He has a quick swing with above average bat speed and the ability to keep the barrel in the hitting zone for long time. With a solid approach for a HS prospect, Goeddel projects to hit for power once he grows into his frame as he uses his lower half well in his swing. With above average speed and an above average arm, Goeddel has played 3B well for his HS team so far this year. Scouts look at him as an outfielder though, CF if he doesn’t get too big but RF if he does. Given his speed and arm, neither position should be much of a problem for him.

Keith Law has him ranked as his 36^th best player on his board while Baseball America has him at 89 right now. Lincoln Hamilton of Project Prospect has him as the 48^th best prospect available. Mike Axisa over at River Ave Blues also has the Yankees selecting Tyler Goeddel.

We’ll have a chat up when the draft gets going around 7, so make sure and stop by. EJ or Eric will also possibly be adding their predictions to the post, so make sure to come back and check it out.

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