The 2024 draft strategy of the New York Yankees took a bold turn, focusing on raw potential over polished performance. They set their sights on power arms with room for growth, potentially exploiting an overlooked market niche.
With their first-round pick (26th overall), the Bronx Bombers corralled Ben Hess, a hard-throwing right-hander from Alabama. The 21-year-old Illinois product showcased his strikeout prowess with 106 Ks in just 68 1/3 innings last season. However, his command needs refinement, as evidenced by 35 walks and a hefty 5.80 ERA in his junior year.
Following a similar theme, the Yankees’ second-round selection landed on Bryce Cunningham, another imposing right-hander hailing from Vanderbilt. Cunningham’s collegiate career mirrors Hess’s profile: impressive strikeout numbers (168 in 160 innings) offset by control issues (71 walks) and a 4.95 ERA over three seasons with the Commodores.
Both picks highlight the Yankees’ willingness to gamble on high-ceiling arms, betting on their player development system to harness these pitchers’ potential.
Yankees hope for a repeat of Schimdt with Hess
The Yankees selected right-handed pitcher Ben Hess with the 26th overall pick in the first round of the MLB draft on Sunday night. This marks the first time the Yankees have chosen a right-handed pitcher in the first round since Clarke Schmidt in 2017, who has since joined their major league rotation.
Hess, 21, spent three seasons at the University of Alabama, mirroring Schmidt’s college career at South Carolina. Standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 255 pounds, the Yankees draft pick hails from Charleston, Illinois.
During his time at Alabama, Hess appeared in 33 games, recording a 4.81 ERA. In the 2024 season, he posted a 5.80 ERA over 15 starts, striking out 106 batters in 68 1/3 innings. Hess also holds Alabama’s career record for strikeouts per 9.0 innings at 13.34.
MLB.com ranked Hess as the 44th best prospect in the draft, praising his four-seam fastball, which sits at 92-96 mph and can touch 99 mph with a run and carry. His mid-80s slider is considered a second-plus pitch, complemented by an average mid-70s curveball. However, his changeup has been inconsistent.
The scouting report compares Hess’s physique to that of Lance Lynn and suggests he has the potential to become a No. 2 starter. However, concerns remain about his control, which has regressed, and his injury history, including a stress fracture in his back during high school and a flexor strain in 2023.
Despite these concerns, the Yankees see significant potential in Hess, hoping he can emulate Schmidt’s path and bolster their major league pitching staff in the future. His selection reflects the Yankees’ ongoing commitment to developing young pitching talent through the draft.
ESPN ranked Ben Hess as the 57th-best prospect in the draft, noting his remarkable strikeout rates despite a challenging 2024 season at Alabama. The Yankees’ selection reflects their confidence in Hess’s underlying talent, looking past his recent ERA and walk rate issues. The team is optimistic about developing Hess’s potential, given his mid-90s fastball and solid build.
FanGraphs placed Hess at No. 58 in their rankings, highlighting his three-year tenure at Alabama, limited to 30 starts due to injuries. They noted his inconsistent walk rates and a 5.80 ERA in his junior year. FanGraphs described Hess as a softer-bodied but athletic pitcher for his size, with a fastball reaching 98 mph in 2024 and averaging 94 mph throughout the season.
The scouting report emphasized Hess’s plus arm extension and a fastball with rise and run. They praised his curveball, which generated a miss rate of over 50% in 2024 and mentioned a distinct mid-80s slider. However, they noted his inconsistent breaking ball control.
FanGraphs concluded that Hess profiles as a durable starting pitcher prospect who might improve his control with better conditioning.
Yankees pick another standout hurler
In the second round of the 2024 MLB Draft, the New York Yankees furthered their emphasis on right-handed pitchers from the Southeastern Conference (SEC) by selecting Bryce Cunningham from Vanderbilt University with the 53rd overall pick.
Cunningham, similar to Hess, did not boast dominant college statistics. Over three seasons at Vanderbilt, he recorded a 4.95 ERA with 168 strikeouts in 160 innings across 46 games, including 26 starts. His 2024 season was his best, posting a 4.36 ERA, a 7-4 record, and 96 strikeouts in 84 2/3 innings over 16 starts.
Standing at 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, the 21-year-old Cunningham is from Headland, Alabama. The Yankees’ strategy seems to prioritize pitchers based on their potential, pitching tools, and profiles rather than their college stats.
MLB.com ranked Cunningham 63rd among draft prospects. Their scouting report highlighted his improved performance in the Cape Cod League and recent advancements in his pitching repertoire. Cunningham’s fastball hits the mid-90s, peaking at 97 mph, and is complemented by an effective upper-80s changeup and a mid-80s slider.
The report also noted Cunningham’s enhanced strength and athleticism, which have improved his ability to maintain consistency in his delivery and pitch quality throughout games. He is projected to have the potential of a No. 2 or 3 starter in a major league rotation.
This selection aligns with the Yankees’ successful track record of developing pitchers from high-profile college programs, indicating confidence in their ability to maximize Cunningham’s potential at the professional level.
ESPN ranked Bryce Cunningham as the 37th best prospect, praising his three above-average pitches and starter-level command, which they believe distinguishes him from other college pitchers in his tier.
FanGraphs placed Cunningham at No. 47, noting his evolution from a split role to a weekend rotation starter at Vanderbilt. They highlighted his ability to maintain a 93-95 mph fastball velocity throughout the season, despite nearly doubling his career-high in innings pitched.
The FanGraphs report detailed Cunningham’s athletic 6-foot-5 frame and delivery mechanics. They suggested potential improvements in his fastball spin axis and breaking ball development. His mid-80s changeup was identified as his standout pitch, featuring a high spin rate.
While acknowledging some inconsistency in his strike-throwing late in the season, FanGraphs attributed this to his increased workload. They projected Cunningham as having the potential to develop into a No. 4 starter, contingent on improvements to his breaking ball.
Despite a career ERA of just under 5.00, scouts are optimistic about Cunningham’s potential for development at the professional level.
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