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yankecrazy · 09-03-2011, 01:37 PM

Yankees 2011 Draft Review

In the 2011 MLB draft, the Yankees had the 23rd overall pick, and maintained that pick throughout all 30 rounds. Scouting director Damon Oppenheimer had this to say about the Yankees 2011 draft: "We were going to take the best player available on the board. While we usually like to stock up on big arms, that opportunity didn't always present itself - and rather than select and overpay for sub-par talent, we were able to find depth in other positions."

SP Antonio Chavez (Round 1, Pick #23)
Chavez, a 22-year old RHP out of South Carolina University, was 9-6 with a 3.61 ERA in 137 IP as a senior. His peripherals left something to be desired, striking out 100, walking 45, and allowing 137 hits (10 HRs), which could explain how he dropped to the Yankees. At least three scouts have said that Chavez projects as an "elite" starter, with 3 plus pitches (fastball, curveball, sinker), and "the sort of control that coaches and scouts drool about." One of his biggest strengths is his stamina - he's drawn comparisons to Halladay and Sabathia. He won't blow anyone away, with his high 80's fastball, but it's going to be his control that sets him apart from the rest of the league.
Chavez is seeking a signing bonus of around $2M, which the Yankees are expected to pay.

2B Dominic Bell (Round 2, Pick #52)
The Yankees were shocked to see Bell still available late in the second round. An incredibly well-rounded athlete, Bell has plus speed and defense, with plus contact and plus-plus gap power potential. While he's not going to put up impressive home run numbers, he's going to get on base at a great clip, hit for lots of doubles and triples, while playing above average defense at second. A triple slash of .285/.375/.485 is not out of the question. Bell's weakness is his arm, but if he can stick at second, this shouldn't be an issue.
Bell is looking for a $1.2M signing bonus, where slot is around $900K. The Yankees have already offered Bell his requested signing bonus.

CF Jose Gonsales (3rd Round, Pick #82)
Game changing speed, and above average defense at all three OF spot, Gonsales' weakness is his bat. Oppenheimer noted that he "will require a lot of development to make any sort of career as a hitter." If he hits his ceiling, he could be outstanding - hitting for a .300+ average in his prime, but it's going to take great development to get there.
Gonsales is looking for a $570K signing bonus - slot is $440K. The Yankees are expected to sign Gonsales.

RF/SP Aaron Ellis (4th Round, Pick #112)
Not much to dislike about Ellis - the real question is whether the Yankees will choose to develop him as a starter or an outfielder. A 21-year old lefty, as a hitter, Ellis is very well rounded. He is expected to put up a .310/.360/.450 line in his prime, with average defense and above average speed (he stole 38 bases, 10 CS, in 52 games at Clemson). As a starter, Ellis could end up being elite. With plus-plus stuff AND control, his movement leaves something to be desired, leading to more home runs that average. His only real downside is the lack of a third pitch - his fastball is above average, and according to scouts "has the best, most developed curveball in the draft class." He keeps the ball on the ground (55+ GB%) and has great stamina. He is more of a risk as a starter than an outfielder, but it's a risk the Yankees may choose to take.
Ellis is looking for a slot bonus of $270K.

LF Greg Knight (Round 5, Pick #142)
An 18-year old out of high school, Knight has blazing speed with plus defense. His bad needs time to develop, but he could end up being a solid contributor, albeit without much power. The Yankees are likely to try moving him to CF, as his glove and speed play well there, and his lack of power could be mitigated.
Knight is looking for a $2M signing bonus, the second highest of any player the Yankees drafted. According to sources within the organization, the Yankees are likely to offer him enough to sign.

Only one other player in the 2011 draft class, 27th round pick Roberto Diaz (MR), is looking for a signing bonus. He is expecting $2.3M, and the Yankees have informed him that they will only offer $450K. Diaz is likely to reject this offer and attend college in the fall.

09-03-2011, 01:37 PM	#44
yankecrazy Minors (Single A) Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 55	Yankees 2011 Draft Review In the 2011 MLB draft, the Yankees had the 23rd overall pick, and maintained that pick throughout all 30 rounds. Scouting director Damon Oppenheimer had this to say about the Yankees 2011 draft: "We were going to take the best player available on the board. While we usually like to stock up on big arms, that opportunity didn't always present itself - and rather than select and overpay for sub-par talent, we were able to find depth in other positions." SP Antonio Chavez (Round 1, Pick #23) Chavez, a 22-year old RHP out of South Carolina University, was 9-6 with a 3.61 ERA in 137 IP as a senior. His peripherals left something to be desired, striking out 100, walking 45, and allowing 137 hits (10 HRs), which could explain how he dropped to the Yankees. At least three scouts have said that Chavez projects as an "elite" starter, with 3 plus pitches (fastball, curveball, sinker), and "the sort of control that coaches and scouts drool about." One of his biggest strengths is his stamina - he's drawn comparisons to Halladay and Sabathia. He won't blow anyone away, with his high 80's fastball, but it's going to be his control that sets him apart from the rest of the league. Chavez is seeking a signing bonus of around $2M, which the Yankees are expected to pay. 2B Dominic Bell (Round 2, Pick #52) The Yankees were shocked to see Bell still available late in the second round. An incredibly well-rounded athlete, Bell has plus speed and defense, with plus contact and plus-plus gap power potential. While he's not going to put up impressive home run numbers, he's going to get on base at a great clip, hit for lots of doubles and triples, while playing above average defense at second. A triple slash of .285/.375/.485 is not out of the question. Bell's weakness is his arm, but if he can stick at second, this shouldn't be an issue. Bell is looking for a $1.2M signing bonus, where slot is around $900K. The Yankees have already offered Bell his requested signing bonus. CF Jose Gonsales (3rd Round, Pick #82) Game changing speed, and above average defense at all three OF spot, Gonsales' weakness is his bat. Oppenheimer noted that he "will require a lot of development to make any sort of career as a hitter." If he hits his ceiling, he could be outstanding - hitting for a .300+ average in his prime, but it's going to take great development to get there. Gonsales is looking for a $570K signing bonus - slot is $440K. The Yankees are expected to sign Gonsales. RF/SP Aaron Ellis (4th Round, Pick #112) Not much to dislike about Ellis - the real question is whether the Yankees will choose to develop him as a starter or an outfielder. A 21-year old lefty, as a hitter, Ellis is very well rounded. He is expected to put up a .310/.360/.450 line in his prime, with average defense and above average speed (he stole 38 bases, 10 CS, in 52 games at Clemson). As a starter, Ellis could end up being elite. With plus-plus stuff AND control, his movement leaves something to be desired, leading to more home runs that average. His only real downside is the lack of a third pitch - his fastball is above average, and according to scouts "has the best, most developed curveball in the draft class." He keeps the ball on the ground (55+ GB%) and has great stamina. He is more of a risk as a starter than an outfielder, but it's a risk the Yankees may choose to take. Ellis is looking for a slot bonus of $270K. LF Greg Knight (Round 5, Pick #142) An 18-year old out of high school, Knight has blazing speed with plus defense. His bad needs time to develop, but he could end up being a solid contributor, albeit without much power. The Yankees are likely to try moving him to CF, as his glove and speed play well there, and his lack of power could be mitigated. Knight is looking for a $2M signing bonus, the second highest of any player the Yankees drafted. According to sources within the organization, the Yankees are likely to offer him enough to sign. Only one other player in the 2011 draft class, 27th round pick Roberto Diaz (MR), is looking for a signing bonus. He is expecting $2.3M, and the Yankees have informed him that they will only offer $450K. Diaz is likely to reject this offer and attend college in the fall.