With their 16th round pick, 487th
overall, in the 2018 MLB First Year Players Draft the New York Yankees selected
Derek Craft, a center a wide receiver a right-handed starting
pitcher out of the University of Texas-San Antonio (UTSA). Craft is an imposing
figure out on the mound, so let’s meet him. This is Meet a Prospect: The Derek
Craft Edition.
Craft stands 6’8” and weighs in at 200 lbs. making him an uncomfortable
at-bat for opposing hitters every time that he takes the mound. Craft was
dominating as a junior posting a 1.89 ERA in 52.1 innings of work as he split
time between the bullpen and the starting rotation. Craft made 24 appearances
in 2018, although only three of them came as a starter, and held opposing
hitters to a .211 batting average against while striking out 62 in 52 innings
of work.
2018 was definitely a breakout season for Craft after
struggling for much of his sophomore season so be on the lookout for him as he
could potentially fly through the Yankees system. New York may opt to go the
Chance Adams route with Craft and convert him into a starter, or the team could
simply have another bullpen weapon waiting in the wings for Aaron Boone’s disposal
in a couple of seasons.
Craft has signed with the New York Yankees as of the time of
this writing so let’s all welcome him not only to the organization, but to the
Yankees family as well. You can follow Derek on Twitter by giving @pitchDMC a follow.
While you are there go ahead and give us a follow as well, @GreedyStripes. We
follow back!
No comments:
Post a Comment
Sorry for the Capatcha... Blame the Russians :)