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New York Yankees: 5 Names to Know for the Upcoming MLB Draft

By Sean Dyer

Mar 3, 2017; Dunedin, FL, USA; New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman and manager Joe Girardi (28) talk prior to their spring training game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 3, 2017; Dunedin, FL, USA; New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman and manager Joe Girardi (28) talk prior to their spring training game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 30, 2017; Clearwater, FL, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Greg Bird (33) works out prior to the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Bright House Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 30, 2017; Clearwater, FL, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Greg Bird (33) works out prior to the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Bright House Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

1B Nick Pratto, Huntington Beach (Calif.) HS

Age: 18, Bats/Throws: L/L, H: 6’1”, W: 193 lb.

MLB.com rank: 13

Scouting grades: Hit: 60  Power: 50  Run: 45  Arm: 55  Field: 60  Overall: 55

MLB.com’s scouting report on Pratto:

"Pratto has positioned himself as perhaps the best pure high school bat in the country. He’s always shown an advanced approach at the plate and the ability to hit for average. What’s allowed him to separate from the rest of the class is the added power he showed early this season, though his bat did tail off later on in the spring. Pratto isn’t the biggest guy in the world, but he should have at least average in-game power in the future, using his feel for hitting to punish mistakes consistently. Pratto is a plus defender at first, with better range than your average first baseman and an above-average arm that throws upper-80s fastballs off the mound."

If New York has a weakness in their farm system it would be at first base. Greg Bird has already graduated from the prospect ranks and Tyler Austin will likely graduate by the end of the season.

The Yankees top 30 prospect list does not feature another first baseman outside of Austin, but that could change with the selection of Nick Pratto.

Although I believe in Greg Bird and think he could be the player we saw in spring training when he returns from his ankle injury, the Yankees could use another prospect at first base.

Pratto doesn’t seem to have the power that Bird possesses, but lefties seem to find some extra power playing in Yankee Stadium. Yankee fans should like hearing “best pure high school bat in the country” as Pratto would be able to hit for average while also playing good defense, which the Yankees could use at first base after the retirement of Mark Teixeira.

Prep bats obviously take longer to get to the majors than college hitters, but if Bird comes back and plays to his spring training form, Pratto would have plenty of time to develop.

If Nick Pratto is available at pick 16, the Yankees should think long and hard about adding him to their deep farm system.

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