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New York Yankees Land Two High Upside Prospects in the MLB Draft

The New York Yankees have added two intriguing pitching prospects from LSU.

By Nicholas Rome

May 25, 2024; Hoover, AL, USA; LSU Tigers pitcher Griffin Herring pitches in the tenth inning against the South Carolina Gamecocks (35) during the SEC Baseball Tournament at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
May 25, 2024; Hoover, AL, USA; LSU Tigers pitcher Griffin Herring pitches in the tenth inning against the South Carolina Gamecocks (35) during the SEC Baseball Tournament at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports / Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
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The Yankees are currently enjoying the MLB All-Star break as the team's All-Stars head south to Texas to enjoy the festivities. The New York Yankees front office, however, is busy with the 2024 MLB Draft as the team looks to rebuild a prospect pool that has been hit by trades like the one the team made for Juan Soto.

On Day Two of the MLB Draft, the New York Yankees looked to one of the best programs in College Baseball for its next crop of players.

The Yankees used the 89th overall pick in the MLB Draft on right-handed starting pitcher Thatcher Hurd from LSU. In three seasons of college baseball, Herring posted a 13-6 record with a 4.84 ERA across 141.1 innings of work, striking out 188 batters.

When LSU won the College World Series in 2023 Hurd was brilliant. He pitched six innings, allowing just two runs on two hits, giving LSU the National Championship. Matt Blake will be responsible for working with Hurd as he has an electric arm but has struggled with command.

The Yankees then returned to Baton Rouge selecting LSU relief pitcher Griffin Herring with the 181st overall pick in the draft. If the Yankees can get Herring to sign rather than return to college, this pick may be considered one of the steals of the draft.

This season, LSU deployed Herring as a reliever where he posted a 1.79 ERA with a 6-1 record and six saves. Herring has upside as a great starter similar to Michael King as he showed pitching 6.1 innings of relief for LSU in the NCAA Tournament.

Through six rounds of the MLB Draft, the Yankees have picked six pitchers clearly showing that the team wanted to add pitching depth to the minor league ranks. The Yankees approach is the right one as young pitchers on team-friendly deals are the best asset a team could have especially in trade talks. If the Yankees can hit on a few of their early selections, these pieces could eventually join the rotation or become massive trade chips for the Yankees.

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