For the fourth straight year the New York Yankees have choses a high school player with their first pick in the MLB Draft. This year, the pick was outfielder/third baseman Dante Bichette Jr., son of former major leaguer Dante Bichette Sr., and a player called an "impact bat" by Damon Oppenheimer, the Yankees' vice president of amateur scouting.
"Dante is one of the guys in this Draft we thought had an impact bat and the potential to hit for big power in the middle of the order," said Damon Oppenheimer, the Yankees' vice president of amateur scouting. "He's someone with an advanced makeup and work ethic who possesses the desire and drive to be a special Major Leaguer."
Bichette Jr., 18, has a commitment to the University of Georgia. The Yankees, though, obviously must feel Bichette is willing to step straight into professional baseball.
Dante Bichette Jr. | 2010 Under Armour All-America baseball Game (via baseballfactoryTV)
The Yankees did not have a first-round selection, having forfeited that to the Tampa Bay Rays when they signed free-agent reliever Rafael Soriano.
The draft continues today beginning at noon ET with rounds 2-30 (mlb.com/live). The Yankees' second-round pick will be the draft's 88th overall selection. You can also find complete draft coverage at SB Nation's Baseball Nation.