MLB Draft 2016: Yankees select 2B Nick Solak

After selecting outfielder Blake Rutherford with the 18th overall pick in the 2016 MLB Draft, the Yankees went on to take Nick Solak, a second baseman from Louisville. He was ranked 86th by Baseball America, 121st by Baseball Prospectus, and 147th by MLB.com, and is the fifth-best player from Kentucky, according to BA. As Jim Callis mentioned on the broadcast, he's not a huge reach, going at 62nd overall, but the Yankees might be looking to save some money here.

Solak is a high-average right-handed hitter and is universally praised as one of the better college bats in the draft. He has a line-drive stroke focused on contact, but lacks power, as MLB.com ranked him 30 power on the 20-80 scale. The 21-year-old was hit on the hand after 22 games of his season and was never the same when he returned a month later, but his value wasn't hurt much.

Unfortunately, his upside is fairly limited. He started off his college career as a DH and moved to the corner outfield, but became a second baseman this spring. Solak is considered a fringe-average second baseman with limited range and a 40-arm on the 20-80 scale. He has sure hands and some limited range, but isn't considered a very good fielder, and many scouts believe he could end up as a center fielder when he enters pro-ball. On the plus side, he has solid speed and is praised for his gritty makeup...whatever that means.

Early on, many have said that he shares a lot of similarities with Rob Refsnyder. He's a skilled hitter with very little defensive ability, but has experience in the outfield and at second base. Luckily for the Yankees he's already had plenty of time to work on his new position, but it will be interesting to see what they plan to do with him from here.

Many seem to like Solak's bat, but the defensive drawbacks and complete lack of power make him a draft pick to be wary about. In the end, he was likely selected to save the Yankees some money when they try to sign Rutherford in the next few weeks. This wouldn't be the first time they have overdrafted a middle infielder to save money, but they do usually prefer glove-first guys instead.

This is a pretty great video of his reaction to being drafted though!

The draft party continues...this time for Nick Solak and the @Yankees! #L1C4 pic.twitter.com/ZEPHv5HTJC

— Louisville Baseball (@UofLBaseball) June 10, 2016