Yankees 2026 Eleventh-round draft decide and left-handed-hitting shortstop Anthony Potestio has rapidly made a reputation for himself in his skilled debut this yr. Potestio was chosen 338th total out of UC San Diego on this yr’s MLB Draft. Baseball America author Carlos Callazo even described Potestio the opposite day as presumably being “the perfect total 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 up to now. 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 Probably Be Draft Steal
He additionally talked about that, based mostly on what he’s heard from different crew scouts/exceutives across the league, Potestio might be one of many higher choices on this yr’s draft after the tenth spherical, Callazo mentioned. If Potestio retains up this efficiency, he’ll quickly be on the Yankees’ high 30 prospects checklist. At UC San Diego, he was first on the crew in batting common (.298) and on-base proportion (.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 is just not a giant man, listed at 5’11 195 lbs, however can be described as a utility participant who has expertise each as an infielder and outfielder.
He’s at present listed as a shortstop on his minor league baseball participant profile. Potestio suits a distinct 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 the ranks {of professional} baseball stays to be seen.
Potestio’s Skillset Related To Yankees High Prospect
Potestio’s sport is much like that of one other infielder who’s at present 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.
It is going to be fascinating to see if Potestio can comply with on an analogous 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 improvement in skilled baseball and all through the Yankees minor league system shall 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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