MLB Draft 2016: Yankees select LHP Trevor Lane 307th overall

With the 307th overall pick in the draft, the Yankees selected left-handed pitcher Trevor Lane out of the 10th round. Taken out of the University of Illinois Chicago, the left-handed reliever began his college career at Campbell before transferring to Lower Columbia Community College, and finally to the Flames.

The Baseball Draft Report considers Lane to be the no. 15 pitcher in the Horizon League. As one of the top relievers to come out of the conference, he has been awarded pitcher of the week twice, Relief Pitcher of the Year, and even made the First Team All-Horizon League as well. He also ranks among the top pitchers in ERA, K/9, and batting average against.

Lane had a 12.46 K/9 as a starter in 2014, and continued in the rotation over a full season in 2015. He pitched to a 3.91 ERA in 66.2 innings over 13 appearances and 10 starts, but his K-rate dipped to just 7.02, causing them to move him to the pen this year. As a senior reliever in 2016, he has thrown 70.1 innings with a 1.41 ERA and five saves with a 90/35 K/BB rate. He also missed some time this year after suffering a concussion back in March, but his 12.49 K/9 made his time as a lefty reliever a success and clearly drew the attention of the Yankees.

At five-foot-11, 185 pounds, he's pretty small on the mound, but he makes up for it with smooth, repeatable mechanics and good armspeed and balance. He was ranked 27th in the state of Illinois prior to the 2015 MLB Draft, but fell off the list this season. He sounds like another solid relief pick after Brooks Kriske was taken in the sixth round. It's also good to see them take someone with a lot more upside after going with senior first basemen two picks in a row.