2013 MLB Draft Results: Yankees Day One implications

By Jason Cohen@Jason00Cohen Jun 7, 2013, 9:00am EDT

Obviously it's very early to look to the future for any of these signing, but what else do we have to talk about? The Yankees already drafted Notre Dame third baseman Eric Jagielo, Fresno State outfielder Aaron Judge, California high school left-hander Ian Clarkin and California high school second baseman Gosuke Katoh on the first day of the draft and each could have an impact on the system.

Eric Jagielo | 3B

Drafting Eric Jagielo with their first pick seems to indicate they are looking to the future and hope he can fill the void at the hot corner in a post-Alex Rodriguez world. He is the "third baseman of the future" if you want to use that term so soon. He'll be solid at third base, even though he'll be big for the position.

The Yankees previously drafted Dante Bichette Jr with their first pick of the draft back in 2011. Everyone thought it was a reach, but in his first year of pro ball he looked to be proving everyone wrong. Then, in 2012, he fell apart at Low-A Charleston and is now in his second season with the RiverDogs. The Yankees may be unhappy with the production they have gotten out of their 51st overall pick, so picking a polished college third baseman might ensure them they get a more proven talent that can move quickly through the system. Jagielo's only competition in the system would be Bichette because after that there's no one who is going to hold him back. At 21 years old he's going to move quickly through the system.

Aaron Judge | OF

Selecting Aaron Judge with their next pick seems to indicate that they like his incredible power potential and hope he develops into a middle of the lineup home run hitter. The Yankees' system is ruled by the outfield trio of Slade Heathcott, Mason Williams, and Tyler Austin, but the odds that all three of them will make it are very slim. Judge has a lot more power than any of them and if he becomes a right fielder he will be a better defender than Austin. At 21 he is the same age as Williams and Austin, but provides complimentary right-handed power as compared to Williams and Heathcott. A homegrown outfield might be the fans' dream, but it won't be that helpful without some power in it.

He will probably start out in Short Season-A Staten Island this season, but could even move directly into the Charleston outfield at Low-A. Hopefully the power can develop in pro ball and he will move through the system quickly. Though the Yankees' top prospects are outfielder, they may not be happy with their power potential and are hoping to throw Judge into the mix in a big way. And by big I mean BIG.

Ian Clarkin | LHP

The Yankees were said to favor New Jersey high school left-hander Rob Kaminsky, but he was drafted and the Yankees ended up with California high school left-hander Ian Clarkin instead. New York values lefties and it has been said that Clarkin could move through the system quickly, even at 18 years old.

The system has dried up on impact pitching, but he could be part of the solution. He will join Manny Banuelos, Nik Turley, and Matt Tracy as potential impact left-handers if he can learn to repeat his mechanics. He is committed to the University of San Diego, but Clarkin has been compared to Clayton Kershaw, so the Yankees should do their best to sign him.

Gosuke Katoh | 2B

The Yankees drafted second baseman Gosuke Katoh and he seems to be quite a reach because, even at 66th overall, he didn't rank in the top 100 for Baseball America, Keith Law or Jonathan Mayo. He is supposed to hit like Ichiro Suzuki with Gold Glove-caliber middle infield defense.

Where he will fit in the organization depends entirely on how well he can hit in professional ball. It has been said that he doesn't have the arm to play shortstop full time, but I have to imagine that they are going to try him there and see what happens. One of their biggest needs was a shortstop, but most of them were taken before the Yankees could pick one.

The Yankees already have Angelo Gumbs at High-A, but he won't really matter either if Robinson Cano signs a longterm deal this season. If Katoh can hit at a league-average level I think he ends up as a utility infielder with stolen base potential.