The 2020 MLB Draft is expected to kick off on its original June 10 date, and the Yankees will be selecting in the first round at pick No. 28.
Last year, it was Delbarton High School (N.J.) SS Anthony Volpe who went 30th overall, and he signed for $2,740,300 at that slot.
Who will it be this year? There are a few top prospects that could interest the Yanks come Draft Day, but being so low in the first round means they'll have to wait to see who they can select by the time they're on the clock.
So, with that in mind, here are five prospects to look out for with that first-round pick:
1) OF Daniel Cabrera, LSU: 38th overall prospect by MLB.com
It wouldn't be a surprise to see the Yankees draft someone out of the Tigers program, as Cabrera would be the sixth in the last 11 years. Josh Smith was taken in the second round last year, for instance.
Cabrera was off to a hot start in 2020 before the NCAA had to shut down its spring sports, slashing .345/.466/.500 with three doubles, two homers and 12 RBI. His best full season came as a freshman in 2018 when he hit .315/.405/.525 with eight homers, 18 doubles and 54 RBI over 63 games.
At 6-foot-1, 196 pounds, scouts say Cabrera has great gap-to-gap power and speed to match it. They also project he can play any outfield position, so with Jasson Dominguez set to be the team's future center fielder barring any changes, a corner spot should suffice. His patience at the plate, good contact-first approach, and surprising pop make him an intriguing prospect who comes from a college system the Yanks like.
2) SS Carson Tucker, Mountain Pointe HS (Ariz.): 52nd overall prospect
You might recognize his older brother, Cole Tucker, who just broke into the bigs with the Pirates last season at 22 years old. He was Pittsburgh's 24th overall pick back in 2014 out of the same high school in Phoenix, and Carson could very well be the same.
But why would the Yankees draft back-to-back shortstops in the first round? It would be interesting considering Volpe and Tucker are very much alike coming out of high school. Nothing necessarily jumps out, but the fundamentals are pristine both at the plate and in the field. Shortstop appears to be where he could end up in the majors one day, but a switch to second base isn't out of the question.
He's low on the top prospect list, but again, so was Volpe. The Yankees really liked what they saw, and they could be focused on someone who projects to be similar to, if not better than, his older brother down the road.
3) LHP Jake Eder, Vanderbilt: 59th overall prospect
Again, we find the Yankees picking a prospect out of the Top 30. But when you take a look at what the Yankees need in their farm system, it's left-handed pitchers. And Eder, coming out of the highly-respected Commodore system, fits the bill.
At 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, Eder had a big change from 2018 to 2019, pitching to the tune of a 2.98 ERA over 39.1 innings (19 appearances) with four saves. He played in a bullpen role instead of starting like he did in 2018, but he reverted back to getting the ball to start games in 2020 before the season was cut short.
In four starts, he had a 3.60 ERA with 27 strikeouts to nine walks over 20 innings pitched. Eder has a plus-fastball that has maxed out at 95 mph, and the Yankees could certainly work on his secondary stuff as well. Their top prospects are all right-handers. Getting a lefty involved down the road should be a priority.
4) RHP Tanner Burns, Auburn: 28th overall prospect
The stars align here for Burns. First, he's the 28th-ranked prospect, and he would fall to the Yankees at that exact slot if they pick him. But more importantly, it wouldn't be the first time he was selected by them.
Burns was once selected out of high school in the 37th round by New York, but decided to play for Auburn instead. And that was the best decision he could've made at the time, as his stuff and poise on the mound developed tremendously.
Burns will now find himself a much better payday in this draft. He had solid numbers in 2019, with a 2.73 ERA over 15 starts and 100 strikeouts. And he was on pace to deliver those same ones with a 2.42 ERA and 32 strikeouts over 22.1 innings in 2020.
5) 2B Justin Foscue, Mississippi State: 32nd overall prospect
Let's add another middle infielder to the mix here, as Foscue took a big leap in 2019 to vault his ranking among his peers. He had a .331/.395/.564 slash line with the Bulldogs, and had 14 homers and 60 RBI over 67 games. He was kicking off his 2020 in a great way, too, with a .321/.464/.509 line.
Foscue is said to use his body well in his swing, which could lead to some surprising power in his professional career. He also has the ability to play every position but first base, giving him good versatility in the infield.