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With the 157th pick in the 2018 MLB Draft, the Yankees chose center fielder Brandon Lockridge. The 21-year-old split time between the outfield and second base for Troy University in Alabama.
Lockridge stands at six-foot-one and weighs 185 pounds. He ranked as the 194th top eligible prospect according to Baseball America. He was not ranked in MLB.com’s top 200 list prior to the draft.
He hit .303/.427/.455 this year for the Trojans with two home runs. During his entire NCAA career, Lockridge authored a .305/.385/.440 batting line with 10 home runs. According to Baseball America’s scouting reports, he has “good hittability and this spring has doubled his walk rate, giving him the on-base skills to profile as a top-of-the-order hitter.” His speed is his calling card, which explains his transition into the outfield.
As the 157th pick, Lockridge fits in a slot worth approximately $320,700. Most of the picks made by the Yankees so far seem to be for slot value. It doesn’t look like they’re trying to do anything fancy with their pool money.
So, what do you think? Do you like the idea to select a speedy center fielder? Let us know in the comment section!