3 Players Yankees Can Target With Their First-Round Pick

The MLB draft is less than two weeks away, and the New York Yankees have their pick set for number 30 in the first round, meaning they'll have to dig for upside once again (that's the price of winning, after all). However, it's not like they can't strike gold at that spot, as Yankees' star outfielder Aaron Judge was selected with the 32nd pick in the 2013 draft. With tools and potential in mind, let's take a look at who could be the next member of the Bronx Bombers.

3. Daniel Espino

Daniel Espino isn't exactly a kid who's easy to project with his limited frame, as he is just 6-2 and 200 pounds. However, it's hard to ignore that the right-hander is among the hardest throwers in the class, as he sits comfortable between 95-97 mph, and has clocked triple digits on his fastball before. Espino developed his speed in his past two years in high school since transferring to Georgia Premier Academy. His velocity allows him to overpower hitters, and he pairs it well with a solid two-seam fastball with sinking action. His slider is his next best pitch, sitting in the low-80s, and his curveball has nice action to it. He has a changeup as well, but his fastball, curveball and slider will likely serve as his bread and butter in his time in the majors. Espino is just 18 years old so he's incredibly raw, and very inconsistent with his command, with long arm action. If you read this and thought "bullpen," we're likely on a similar wavelength. Regardless, it's hard to pass up on a kid that throws as hard as he does if he's still available at this spot.

2. Michael Busch

Are Luke Voit or Greg Bird the permanent solution at first base for years to come? It's way too early to tell, so it would be completely understandable for the Yankees to draft Michael Busch here. The North Carolina product is an absolute force with the bat, and sports moderate athleticism. Busch hit .281 with 12 homers and 50 runs batted in this year, and had an incredible eye at the plate, with a 54:35 BB:K ratio. What he really has going for him is his versatility, as he could naturally play the outfield as well as first base, which is always a plus. Unfortunately, because he is undersized at just 6-0 and 207 pounds, the Yankees may feel he's more suited for a middle infield role rather than first base, especially if his power doesn't develop further. As a whole, his sweet left-handed stroke has allowed him to have success in college, and will likely lead to more success in the majors, especially at Yankee Stadium.

1. Tyler Callihan

Callihan is among the players the Yankees have been linked to the most. The 19-year-old comes with plenty of question marks, as he's not exactly a great defender or athlete, so his bat is going to have to carry him. He may not have an issue with that, as he hit .528 with two homers and 19 runs batted in for the 18U Men's USA National Team in 2018. If he could be an above average left-handed power bat for the Yankees, he would fit in just fine at Yankee Stadium. His defense is suspect, so he'll have to clean that up in the minors if he wants any chance at sticking at third base. Overall, Callihan is a very raw prospect with a lot of potential as a hitter. There's a lot to like here, and the Yankees have a lot of time to mold him into whatever they want him to be, with Miguel Andújar being just 24 years old.