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2018 Draft Signings: Breaux, Green, German, Bies

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Bro, it’s Breaux. (@MLBDraft)

The 2018 draft signing deadline is Friday, July 6th this year, and already the Yankees have signed nine of their top ten picks. The club made the announcement this morning. The one holdout is UNC RHP Rodney Hutchison, the team’s sixth round pick. He’ll sign once North Carolina’s season ends. They’re currently in the College World Series.

Our Draft Pool Tracker page is now live, so you can keep tabs on the Yankees’ bonus pool situation there. The Draft Pool page is available at all times under the Resources tab. You can see all of the team’s picks right here. Here are my Day One, Day Two, and Day Three draft recaps, and here are the latest draft signings.

Breaux gets $1.5M

Texas JuCo C Josh Breaux (2nd round) has signed, the Yankees announced. Here’s a photo of the signing, if you’re interested. Jim Callis says Breaux received an overslot $1.5M bonus. Slot money for the 61st overall pick is $1,086,900. MLB.com ranked Breaux as the 71st best prospect in the draft class. Here’s a snippet of their scouting report:

Breaux has well above-average raw power to all fields and an aggressive right-handed swing that generates uncommon bat speed … Scouts were skeptical of Breaux’s ability to stay at catcher when they saw him as a freshman, but he has improved defensively and projects as at least an adequate receiver. His arm strength is an asset behind the plate, though the Arkansas commit needs to improve his throwing accuracy.

Breaux hit .404/.532/.831 with 18 home runs and more walks (48) than strikeouts (32) in 56 games as a sophomore this spring, and he was slated to transfer to Arkansas, so he had some leverage during contract talks. That led to the overslot bonus. Between Breaux and first rounder Anthony Seigler, the Yankees addressed their lack of catcher prospect depth in a hurry.

Green gets $1M

Tennessee HS OF Ryder Green (3rd round) has also signed, the Yankees announced. Here’s video of the signing. Jim Callis says Green received a $1M bonus while Jon Heyman says it’s $997,500. Either way, it’s nearly double the $576,400 slot value for the 97th overall pick. MLB.com ranked Green as the 81st best prospect in the draft class. Here’s part of their scouting report:

Green has physical strength and plenty of bat speed from the right side of the plate. He has had some swing-and-miss issues in the past but is making more consistent contact this spring. That bodes well for his ability to fully tap into his power potential, which ranks among the best in the 2018 high school crop … He’s an average runner out of the batter’s box and quicker once he gets going. He’ll have to move from center to right field at the next level and has the arm for it

Why the overslot bonus? Because Green was committed to Vanderbilt, which is a very tough commitment to break, historically. The Yankees gave Dellin Betances a $1M bonus as an eighth round pick back in the day to buy him away from Vanderbilt, for example.

The discrepancy between Callis and Heyman is essentially an accounting trick. The standard minor league player contract includes $2,500 in bonuses so easily attainable that teams were reporting them as part of the signing bonus. Teams aren’t doing that now, and it’s saving them a little something against the bonus pool.

German, Bies sign below slot

Earlier this week we heard the Yankees had deals in place with North Florida RHP Frank German (4th round) and Gonzaga RHP Daniel Bies (7th round), and, earlier today, the Yankees officially announced the signings. Jim Callis has the bonus information:

  • German: $350,000 bonus (slot for the 127th pick was $430,400)
  • Bies: $150,000 bonus (slot for the 217th pick was $194,000)

I’m surprised German signed that much below slot. I thought he would be a slot money guy or very close to it. MLB.com ranked him as the 191st best prospect in the draft class and said he “has a solid three-pitch mix that points to a future as a starting pitcher at the next level.”

As for Bies, I was surprised to see him get so much because I was under the impression he was a college senior, but it turns out he was a redshirt junior with another year of eligibility. College seniors typically sign for about $10,000. Sometimes even less. Bies was able to leverage that extra year of eligibility into six figures. Good for him.

The Yankees also announced the signings of Troy OF Brandon Lockridge (5th round), Bucknell RHP Connor Van Hoose (8th round), Grand Canyon RHP Mick Vorhof (9th round), and UNC Charlotte LHP Josh Maciejewski (10th round). The deals had been previously reportedly, and now they’re official. Lockridge received a $300,000 bonus. Not sure about anyone else yet. Van Hoose, Vorhof, and Maciejewski are all college seniors who likely signed well below slot.

DotF: Frazier and Drury help Scranton sweep doubleheader

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In case you missed it earlier, RHP Jonathan Loaisiga will be called up to make his MLB debut on Friday. It was originally announced as Thursday, but Aaron Boone corrected himself following tonight’s game. Loaisiga is replacing Tanaka and will start Friday.

Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders Game One (5-2 win over Rochester in seven innings)

  • DH Clint Frazier: 2-3, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI — here’s video of the dinger
  • CF Tyler Wade: 0-3, 1 K
  • 3B Brandon Drury: 0-3, 1 R — his on-base streak ends at 32 games … that’s the longest on-base streak since the franchise became the RailRiders in 2013
  • 1B Ryan McBroom: 2-3, 1 R
  • RF Billy McKinney: 1-2, 1 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 BB — back-to-back games with a homer and seven homers in his last 13 games
  • SS Abi Avelino: 1-3, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 K — eight homers in 59 games this season … his previous career high was six homers in 126 games in 2016
  • C Kyle Higashioka: 0-2
  • RHP Erik Swanson: 6 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 8 K, 2 HR, 1 HB, 7/0 GB/FB — 58 of 85 pitches were strikes (68%) … 2.20 ERA and 81/17 K/BB in 65.1 total innings

[Read more…]

DotF: Cessa struggles in first rehab start in Tampa’s loss

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Some quick notes to get us started:

  • 3B Brandon Drury spoke to Mark Sanchez about his stint in Triple-A. “I wasn’t happy about (being sent down). Doing what I can right now so when I go back up I’m a better player. But this is going to make me better. Just gotta keep doing what I can do right now, be back up soon,” he said. Not sure what else he’s supposed to say in his situation.
  • Kiley McDaniel and Eric Longenhagen released an updated top 131 prospects list. Four Yankees made it: LHP Justus Sheffield (No. 30), RHP Albert Abreu (No. 50), OF Estevan Florial (No. 85), and RHP Luis Medina (No. 127). Both 2B Gleyber Torres and 3B Miguel Andujar have exceeded the 130 at-bat rookie limit and are no longer considered prospects.
  • The Yankees have released nine low level minor leaguers, reports Matt Eddy: OF Jonathan Amundaray, 2B Yeison Corredera, 3B Nate Coronado, C Samuel De La Cruz, C Malvin Del Orbe, C Roberto Espinosa, OF Victor Hernandez, OF Jhon Moronta, and C Eduardo Rodriguez. Amundaray is the most notable prospect of the bunch. He signed for $1.5M during the 2014-15 international spending spree.
  • In their 2018 draft recaps, Keith Law (subs. req’d) said C Anthony Seigler “projects as an everyday catcher with All-Star upside,” while Baseball America (subs. req’d) notes RHP Rodney Hutchison “saw his stuff tick up late in the season … If he improves his command he has interesting upside.”
  • If you’re still in draft mode after last week, both MLB.com and Baseball America (subs. req’d) put together super early 2019 mock drafts. Texas HS SS Bobby Witt Jr. is the top prospect in the draft class at the moment.

Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (10-3 win over Rochester)

  • LF Clint Frazier: 2-4, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI — 20-for-58 (.345) with seven doubles, one triple, and one homer in his last 14 games now
  • CF Tyler Wade: 2-4, 3 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 SB — 12-for-32 (.375) with four doubles and a homer in his last seven games
  • 3B Brandon Drury: 1-4, 2 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 SB
  • 1B Ryan McBroom: 3-4, 2 R, 1 HR, 5 RBI — three homers in his last five games
  • RF Billy McKinney: 1-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 BI — sixth homer of the season and his sixth homer in his last 12 games
  • SS Abi Avelino: 1-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 2 K — he was moved back up here when Ronald Torreyes was recalled
  • RHP David Hale: 5 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 1 HR, 1 WP, 8/2 GB/FB — 62 of 96 pitches were strikes (65%) … starting tonight presumably takes him out of the running for Friday’s start, which is when the Yankees say they’ll first use Masahiro Tanaka’s replacement
  • RHP Tommy Kahnle: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K — 12 of 15 pitches were strikes … he was reportedly up to 97 mph on the stadium gun, for what it’s worth

[Read more…]

2018 Draft Signings: German, Lockridge, Bies, Vorhof, Ernst

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Bies. (Dan Pelle/The Spokesman-Review)

Over the weekend the Yankees reportedly signed 2018 first round pick Anthony Seigler to a straight slot $2,815,900 bonus. Glad they got that one out of the way early. Here are all the Yankees’ picks. Here are my Day One, Day Two, and Day Three draft recaps, and here are the latest signings:

  • North Florida RHP Frank German (4th round) has signed, reports Bryan Hoch. No word on his bonus yet. Slot money for the 127th overall pick is $430,400. My guess is German got something very close to that. Within a few thousand bucks.
  • Troy OF Brandon Lockridge (5th round) has signed, reports Hoch. Jim Callis says Lockridge received a $300,000 bonus. Slot money for the 157th overall pick is $320,700, so the Yankees save a little bonus pool space here.
  • Gonzaga RHP Daniel Bies (7th round) has indeed signed, according to the school’s Twitter feed. Still waiting to hear a bonus. Slot money for the 217th pick is $194,000. Since Bies is a college senior, chances are he signed for considerably less than that.
  • Bucknell RHP Connor Van Hoose (8th round) has signed, reports Hoch. We heard he was in Tampa last week. No word on his bonus. He’s slotted for $159,800. Van Hoose is another college senior who likely signed for something much less than slot.
  • Grand Canyon RHP Mick Vorhof (9th round) has signed, reports Hoch. Slot money for the 277th overall pick is $145,600. As another college senior, bet on Vorhof signing for quite a bit less.
  • Miami (Ohio) RHP Nick Ernst (15th round) has signed, according to his Twitter feed. Slot money for every pick after the tenth round is $125,000. Ersnt had Tommy John surgery earlier this spring and will be out until next year. I seriously doubt he received more than slot given that.
  • Louisiana-Monroe RHP Keegan Curtis (22nd round) traveled to Tampa yesterday, according to his Twitter feed, which is a pretty good indication he’s signing.
  • Northeastern 3B Max Burt (28th round) has signed, according to his Twitter feed. He was in Tampa a few days ago, so this isn’t a surprise.

Our 2018 Draft Pool Tracker page is now up and running, so make sure you check that out. It is available at all times under the Resources tab. The signing deadline is Friday, July 6th this year.

DotF: Loaisiga makes tune-up start before potential call-up

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The Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders were rained out. The game was canceled and will not be made up.

Double-A Trenton Thunder (6-0 loss to Binghamton)

  • 1B Gosuke Katoh: 1-2, 2 BB, 1 K, 1 SB
  • CF Trey Amburgey: 0-2, 1 BB, 1 K
  • RF Jhalan Jackson: 0-3, 1 K
  • RHP Jonathan Loaisiga: 2 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 1 HB, 1/1 GB/FB — 30 of 49 pitches were strikes (61%) … Austin Petolillo says the reliever (fellow starter RHP Mike King) was warming up when Loaisiga was removed in the third inning, so that makes it unlikely it was an injury situation … 50-ish pitches and replaced by a fellow starter who went long? … sure seems like a tune-up start to me … Johnny Lasagna might be coming up to replace Masahiro Tanaka, or is at least being prepped as a backup plan in case Plan A falls through
  • RHP Mike King: 6 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 1 WP, 1 HB, 7/6 GB/FB — 72 of 105 pitches were strikes (69%)

[Read more…]

2018 Draft: Yankees sign first round pick Anthony Seigler

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(Frank Franklin II/AP)

1:23pm ET: Seigler did indeed receive a full slot $2,815,900 bonus, reports Jim Callis.

12:20pm ET: Anthony Seigler said there was “no doubt in my mind that I’m definitely going to sign with the Yankees” earlier this week, and he made good on his word today. According to George King, the Yankees signed Seigler, their 2018 first round pick, Saturday morning. He received a $2.8M slot bonus. The Yankees have not yet announced the signing, but that’ll come soon enough.

The Yankees selected Seigler with the 23rd overall pick in the draft this past Monday. He’s a high school catcher from Georgia who switch-hits and switch-throws, though the Yankees are going to keep him behind the plate. He’s not going to pitch and they’re not going to try him as a two-way player. Nothing like that. Here is a snippet of MLB.com’s scouting report:

He’s agile behind the plate, has a quick transfer that helps his arm play as plus at times and shows promise as a receiver and pitch framer. He’s more athletic than most catchers, along the lines of Austin Barnes, and could profile as an everyday second baseman as well.

Seigler makes consistent hard contact from both sides of the plate and employs an all-fields approach. There’s some question as to how much power he’ll have, but he has solid bat speed and should provide at least double-digit home run production once he gets stronger. The Florida recruit has close to average speed, making him quick for a catcher, and shows good instincts in all phases of the game.

Now that he’s signed, I assume Seigler will make his pro debut with the rookie level Gulf Coast League Yankees when they open their season on Monday, June 18th. Because he’s a prep catcher, I imagine Seigler will play in the GCL all season. Pushing him up to Short Season Staten Island or even Low-A Charleston is too aggressive.

Slot money for the 23rd overall pick is $2,815,900, so either Seigler took a slightly below slot bonus, or King rounded down. I’m guessing it’s the latter. You can see all the Yankees’ 2018 draft picks right here. Here is our Draft Bonus Pool Tracker and here are our Day One, Day Two, and Day Three draft reviews. The signing deadline is Friday, July 6th this year.

Saturday Links: Trade Deadline, Mets, Seigler, Ellsbury

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You can still play on my team any day, Jake. (Presswire)

The Yankees and Mets continue their three-game series with the middle game later tonight. It’s a 7pm ET contest. Until then, here are some links and notes to check out.

Mets may or may not consider fire sale

Depending who you ask, the Mets either will (Kristie Ackert) or will not (Bob Nightengale) consider trading Jacob deGrom and/or Noah Syndergaard if they don’t climb back into the postseason race. “Can circumstances change that? Yes. But I think that would be very, very remote. It’s not something we’re even considering or talking about,” said GM Sandy Alderson with regards to a potential fire sale.

The Yankees could use another starter in the wake of Jordan Montgomery’s Tommy John surgery, and gosh, either deGrom or Syndergaard sure would be a wonderful fit. Both this year and going forward. The thing is, even if the Mets do become open to trading them, the Yankees-Mets hurdle has to be cleared. Trade talks about Lucas Duda and Jay Bruce were reportedly contentious last August. Imagine talks about deGrom or Syndergaard?

I think Alderson and Brian Cashman would be willing to do a deal with each other. They’re two veteran executives who’ve won and lost their share of trades. They have the stomachs for it. Would ownership do it, specifically the Wilpons? Watching deGrom or Syndergaard potentially carry the Yankees to glory might not sit easy with them.

Seigler will catch, not pitch

Not surprisingly, scouting director Damon Oppenheimer confirmed to Brendan Kuty that the Yankees will use 2018 first round pick Anthony Seigler as a catcher in pro ball, not as a pitcher. Seigler is a switch-hitter with good all-around skills behind the plate. He’s also a switch-thrower who pitched with both arms in high school. From Kuty:

“Not at this point (do we see him pitching),” Oppenheimer said. “At this point, we’re seeing him as a switch-hitting catcher. The versatility he has and he’s shown throughout his high school career is something that’s attractive to us but the development as a catcher is the key here and that’s what we’re working on.”

Baseball America (subs. req’d) says Seigler “throws a changeup from the left side and changes his arm slot, while he can reach 92 mph from the right side to go along with a slider.” With Shohei Ohtani (and Brendan McKay in the minors) doing the two-way thing, I guess the Yankees could’ve considered it with Seigler, but nah. Catching is hard enough as it is. Imagine pitching as well?

As far as I know Seigler has never been considered a serious pro prospect on the mound. It’s always been catcher all the way. I guess Ohtani and the switch-pitching thing generated some buzz and led to the question being asked. No surprise the Yankees are sticking with Seigler behind the plate though. That’s where he’s best.

Yankees have insurance on Ellsbury’s contract

Jacoby Ellsbury has yet to play a game this season and, based on the way things are going, it seems unlikely he will play a game anytime soon. He’s dealing with oblique, hip, and back problems in addition to plantar fasciitis. According to Wally Matthews, the Yankees do have insurance on Ellsbury’s contract, and it will reimburse them 75% of his salary while he is on the disabled list. From Matthews:

A Yankees source told me the club has a similar policy (to David Wright’s) on Ellsbury, which has already begun to defray the bulk of his salary for the first two months of 2018. In an ideal world, Ellsbury would sit out the remainder of the season, the Yankees would muddle through with a rotation of Gardner, Hicks and Frazier in centerfield – and be reimbursed to the tune of $15,857,142.86.

It’s important to note the insurance does not change anything with regards to the luxury tax. Ellsbury still counts as $21.85M against the luxury tax. Nothing changes there. The insurance policy just means the Yankees get some cold hard cash back for Ellsbury’s injuries. I’m not a conspiracy theorist. I don’t think Ellsbury and the Yankees have a secret agreement to stay on the disabled list — that’s insurance fraud! — but the insurance sure is convenient, isn’t it?