Yankees 2026 Eleventh-round draft choose and left-handed-hitting shortstop Anthony Potestio has rapidly made a reputation for himself in his skilled debut this yr. Potestio was chosen 338th general out of UC San Diego on this yr’s MLB Draft. Baseball America author Carlos Callazo even described Potestio the opposite day as probably being “the perfect general debut participant on this draft class,” Callazo acknowledged. When taking a look at Potestio’s numbers in Low A Tampa, it’s simple to see why.
In 19 video games (57 at-bats) for Low-A Tampa, Potestio has hit .333 with 5 dwelling runs, 17 RBIs, 19 walks, and a 1.179 OPS, with a .513 OBP. Callazo mentioned Potestio is a high-contact bat who has proven extra energy than anticipated in skilled baseball thus far. Callazo additionally mentioned Potestio doesn’t chase a lot and has nice strike zone consciousness, which was evident throughout his days at UC San Diego.
Potestio Might Presumably Be Draft Steal
He additionally talked about that, primarily based on what he’s heard from different group scouts/exceutives across the league, Potestio could possibly be one of many higher picks on this yr’s draft after the tenth spherical, Callazo mentioned. If Potestio retains up this efficiency, he’ll quickly be on the Yankees’ prime 30 prospects record. At UC San Diego, he was first on the group in batting common (.298) and on-base share (.431) and recorded 16 video games with a number of hits, in addition to a 15-game on-base streak, based on the UC San Diego athletics dwelling web page. Potestio will not be an enormous man, listed at 5’11 195 lbs, however may also be described as a utility participant who has expertise each as an infielder and outfielder.
He’s presently listed as a shortstop on his minor league baseball participant profile. Potestio matches a unique mildew than the gamers the Yankees have within the majors. Potestio doesn’t rely a lot on energy and is a high-contact (high-awareness) participant who prioritizes contact and getting on base over energy. Nonetheless, he confirmed some energy with 5 dwelling runs in fewer than 20 video games in his professional debut this previous summer season. How that interprets into 2027 and past as he rises by way of the ranks {of professional} baseball stays to be seen.
Potestio’s Skillset Comparable To Yankees High Prospect
Potestio’s recreation is just like that of one other infielder who’s presently the Yankees’ number-one-ranked prospect: left-handed-hitting shortstop Dax Kilby, who’s additionally representing the group within the Arizona Fall League, the place the highest prospects in baseball carry out on this once-a-year showcase. Kilby can also be a high-contact man with nice bat-to-ball abilities, incomes him a promotion to Excessive A Hudson Valley this previous yr.
Will probably be fascinating to see if Potestio can comply with on an identical trajectory as Kilby, who’s already seen success within the Arizona Fall League, by which he has posted a .313 batting common with 1 dwelling run 5 RBI’s and 4 walks in his first 4 video games within the Arizona Fall League already, based on the Arizona Fall League hitting stats dwelling web page/web site.
Potestio’s development and growth in skilled baseball and all through the Yankees minor league system can be value monitoring in 2027 and past. The Yankees farm system has produced elite expertise in recent times, together with Ben Rice and Cam Schlittler.
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