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The Yankees drafted right-handed pitcher David Palladino, out of junior college Howard College, in the fifth round and is committed to LSU. From Emerson, New Jersey, the right-hander is quite a big guy at 6' 9, 230 pounds and brought some comparison to Jeff Niemann in body type. He is actually somehow bigger than fellow Yankee draftee Aaron Judge and Dellin Betances! The Dodgers previously drafted him in the 13th round of 2011, but he didn't sign.
He ranks 304th on Baseball America's top 500 prospects for the draft and started his college career at South Carolina-Upstate, but underwent surgery to repair a left patella tendon tear last year. He transfered to Howard this season and went 7-3 with 99 Ks and 31 BBs and a 2.18 ERA in 70.1 inning. He had six complete games and three shutouts.
His fastball sits in the 92-93 mph range and occasionally touches as high as 95-96 mph. He has a mostly straight fastball and also throws a changeup, curveball and slider. He has an easy delivery and good command, despite his size, but he needs to use his large frame to create a good downhill angle.
It is good to hear that about his mechanics after seeing Betances struggle with his, causing his control to suffer. He struggles to harness his size too, so hopefully Palladino will have more luck with his easier delivery.
More Yankees Draft Coverage from Pinstriped Bible:
Yankees select OF Aaron Judge|Yankees select 3B Eric Jagielo
Yankees select 2B Gosuke Katoh|Yankees select LHP Ian Clarkin
Yankees select OF Michael O'Neill|Yankees select SS Tyler Wade
Yankees select RHP David Palladino|Yankees select SS John Murphy
Yankees select RHP Nick Rumbelow|Yankees select OF Branden Thomas
Yankees select LHP Conner Kendrick|Yankees select LHP Tyler Webb