With the 2020 MLB Draft still expected to kick off on June 10 with virtual format that includes fewer rounds, the Yankees are set to select at No. 28 overall.
Last season, New York was quick to stock up on middle infielders in The Delbarton School's Anthony Volpe at No. 30 overall, and LSU's Josh Smith in the second round.
Well, ESPN's Kiley McDaniel believes the Bombers will go for pitching instead with their first-round selection this year.
With that No. 28 pick, McDaniel has the Yankees taking Louisville RHP Bobby Miller.
To MLB Pipeline, Miller is the 26th-best prospect available, and there is a chance that he goes higher in the draft. However, if he does fall to the Yankees at No. 28, McDaniel can't see him going past them.
Miller is a hard-throwing righty who has reached 99 mph on the radar gun. But it's his slider that can almost look like a sharp cutter that is his best pitch. A split change is featured as well.
If there is one thing Miller needs to improve to make the bigs, it's his control. While his stuff is electrifying, his mechanics are not always in sync, and his delivery can be sporadic. Hammering out those mechanics and getting more consistent with his location will jolt his progress.
In 2019, Miller sported a 3.83 ERA over 80 innings. He had 12 starts and eight relief appearances that saw 86 strikeouts to 38 walks and a .204 opponent batting average. He was a starter to begin 2020, with a 2.31 ERA over four starts.
Miller could project to be a reliever down the road, but his electric stuff could have the Yankees crossing their fingers he stays in the rotation.