If you’ve been following draft coverage at all over the last few years, you’ve probably heard the name Blake Rutherford. The power-hitting high school outfielder has been wowing scouts on the showcase circuit for years now, and many speculated he would eventually be a top-five pick. Rutherford ended up falling to eighteen, and the Yankees made sure to snatch him up.
At nineteen years old, Rutherford is older than the average prep bat. That doesn’t scare those who see him play and show off his excellent hitting and power tools. Rutherford is a hitter’s hitter, and if all goes well, he may very well move fairly quickly through the system.
BP’s Christopher Crawford had this to say about Rutherford tonight:
“I thought Rutherford was the best prep bat in the class—assuming you don’t count Delvin Perez—and I think he’s great value for the Yankees at this point. Both the hit and power tool project as above-average, and if you dream hard, maybe even plus. He’ll have to move off center, but he’ll be very good in right with a strong throwing arm. He’s older than your typical prep prospect, but I don’t care, he can hit, and that’s what really matters.”
That sounds like a winning formula. Crawford also ranked Rutherford the fourth-best player in the entire draft in his rankings on Thursday morning. Rutherford will likely cost a pretty penny to sign, but the Yankees should be able to get the deal done. Rather than go for a player that would have allowed them to spend further down the board, New York simply selected the best player available.
New York will also have the 62nd overall pick on Thursday night.
Photo: Jerome Miron / USA Today Sports