MLB Draft 2021: Yankees select Cooper Bowman 122nd overall

After looking to fortify their pitching ranks with their second and third picks, the Yankees went back to the infield dirt with their fourth selection, taking second baseman Cooper Bowman. The 21-year-old played two seasons with a junior college before transferring to powerhouse Louisville this year.

Bowman showed a good approach at the plate in the ACC, walking almost as often as he struck out and running a .293/.387/.455 slash line. He also stole 20 bases while only getting caught four times, hinting at a quality all-around offensive game. Bowman stands in at 6-foot, 200 pounds, but scouts say he moves very well for a man his size.

Baseball America curiously had Bowman ranked all the way down at number 416. MLB Pipeline was a bit more optimistic, placing him 171st on their big board. From MLB:

Bowman has a smooth right-handed swing, good feel for hitting and a patient approach, allowing him to make regular contact and get on base. He has a quick bat with solid raw power and can drive the ball out of the park from gap to gap, giving him 15-20 homer potential.

Bowman certainly appears to have an interesting toolset, as players with quality hit tools, athleticism, and a steady approach don’t exactly grow on trees. Hopefully, the Yankees are making a smart bet on that combination of skills, despite the relatively low rankings from BA and MLB.