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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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Feb 22, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; The New York Yankees logo is painted on the field during a rain shortened MLB spring training workouts at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 22, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; The New York Yankees logo is painted on the field during a rain shortened MLB spring training workouts at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

LHP Trevor Rogers, Carlsbad (N.M.) HS

Age: 19, Bats/Throws: L/L, H: 6’6”, W: 185 lb.

MLB.com rank: 25

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60  Slider: 50  Changeup: 45  Control: 50  Overall: 50

MLB.com’s scouting report on Rogers:

"Rogers will show plenty of fastball, still occasionally touching the mid-90s he showed at the Area Code Games. More often than not, he’s pitched at 89-92 mph, but the fastball plays up because of his long arms, deception and very good command of the pitch. Rogers’ secondary stuff is well behind his fastball. He’ll throw a slider and a curve, which will run together. He has trouble staying on top of his curve and will likely be better off sticking to the slider at the next level. His changeup is getting better and approaching average. Rogers does it with a solid delivery and the velocity comes without too much effort. Not facing the best competition, the Texas Tech commit is able to succeed with an average fastball and command. The team taking him early on in the Draft will feel there’s a lot more to unlock from his 6-foot-6 frame."

If D.L. Hall is off the board at 16, but the Yankees are still looking for a left-handed prep arm, Trevor Rogers could be the pick.

As Mike Axisa of River Ave Blues points out, Rogers is one of the older prep prospects in this year’s class, but the Yankees didn’t let age get in the way of drafting Blake Rutherford last year.

Rogers is considered a first-round pick because of his potential to grow, both into his 6’6” frame and with the development of his secondary pitches. The Yankees, however, have struggled developing prep arms in the past, so I’m not sure he is best suited for New York.

There’s certainly risk in drafting D.L. Hall as well, but Hall’s curveball is already a second plus pitch and he seems like less of a project than Rogers.

Like any team, the Yankees could use more pitching prospects. However, if Hall and Peterson are both off the board at 16, I would look to the offensive side of the ball before taking Rogers.

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