The New York Yankees needed some serious depth to their drained farm system to start the 2025 MLB season. Several publications pegged the team’s minor-league system either near or at the bottom of their rankings to start the year. The biggest concern was the team’s lack of offensive players and overabundance of pitchers in their system.
One of the biggest disadvantages for the team going into the 2025 MLB Draft was the loss of their first-round pick due to exceeding the luxury tax threshold. The team’s first pick didn’t occur until 38 picks in, at number 39. The Yankees also held the lowest bonus pool in the entire league.
Even then, the Yankees seemed to use their reduced pool on players they wanted rather than needed. They did get some value from their first few picks and beyond, but there’s a lot more to be desired from this year’s selections.
Kilby’s selection marks the fourth time in seven years the Yankees have gone with a shortstop to open their draft. The biggest concern off the bat is where the 18-year-old was ranked going into the draft, down at 62 on MLB Pipeline’s big board. Numerous outlets projected the Yankees going for a pitcher to add to their system. The problem was that, once they got to their time on the clock, Riley Quick was already gone to the Minnesota Twins.
Instead of drafting their next-best pitcher, the team decided to go and get a shortstop in the hunt for their next Derek Jeter. Yankees Vice President of domestic scouting Damon Oppenheimer told MLB.com that the team “really like[d] his potential and ability to swing the bat, plus, he’s an excellent runner.” The team appears to be prioritizing getting some top-heavy prospects over arms for now.
He does have some stats to prove his worth, hitting a .495 with five home runs and 42 RBIs. He also had 15 stolen bases along with an .838 slugging percentage, showcasing speed and ability to use both gap and raw power to create run-scoring opportunities. All of his batting metrics increased since 2024, with his 60-yard dash ranking in the 99th percentile, according to Perfect Game. His swing grades out above 70 in all categories, giving credence to the scouting reports saying he’s “one of the more polished high school bats available.”
While there are no official stats to show his actual fielding efficiency, his shoulder health is a big question mark. There might be some mechanical issues that force him to shift to second base, which still gives George Lombard Jr. a clear path to shortstop. If he can get healthier and continue hitting the ball well as a contact player, he’ll replace Jazz Chisholm Jr. in the future.
2025 Stats: 204 ABs; .279/.398/.943; 13 doubles; 1 triple; 13 HRs; 49 RBIs; 37 BB to 35 K; 4 SB
Kaeden Kent is the son of the former 2000 National League MVP and five-time All-Star Jeff Kent. Oppenheimer also lauded the pick, telling MLB.com that he’s “a left-handed hitter, athletic, and can play shortstop, which he showed us this past year.” The long-time scouting director also pointed to his dad as a major influence and a plus.
The 21-year-old Texas A&M ballplayer has seen a jump in his raw and gap power between 2024 and 2025. Kaeden increased his double totals from six to 13, while the number of home runs went from four to 13. Granted, he played more games, but he made the most of his opportunity. It could be in part to his “loose left-handed swing,” per Perfect Game, and advanced judgment in swing decisions, which is evident by his 1:1 walk-to-strikeout ratio.
There are issues with his defense, where he’s struggled to get comfortable in any position he plays. On the left side of the infield, he appears to make more errors, bringing his arm into question. He might stick at second base as a backup if he continues to struggle with fielding. Whatever the case, it’s a long shot that he starts at the position, but he might have a future at first base in a year or two.
2025 Stats: 15 games started; 5-4; 4.73 ERA; 80 IP; 69 H and 29 BB (1.23 WHIP); 114 K; 13 HR; .227 OBA
Kohn is the first pitcher taken by the Yankees in the draft this year. The team is known to take mid-tier or high-round draft picks and turn them into valuable pieces of their staff, either in the rotation or bullpen. One of the more recent success stories from the organization is Luis Gil, the reigning Rookie of the Year, who pitched his way to a 3.50 ERA.
The 22-year-old Mississippi product comes to the Yankees’ pitching lab with a three-pitch arsenal and slightly above-average control. In 2025, however, his first full year as a starter didn’t pan out great. Kohn struggled with control, throwing eight wild pitches and nine hit batsmen. He also surrendered 13 home runs in 80 innings, nearly a 1.5 clip per nine innings. He does have the ability to use his low-80s slider to get strikeouts, but his execution has to be better.
Home runs will be Kohn’s downfall if he doesn’t address them quickly. It can be attributed to now being a converted starter, but his ceiling his high. He keeps his hits down and walks low, which are positives for his development towards the major leagues. The Mississippi product will need to develop another pitch to really up his game and mix around combinations to keep hitters guessing.
Holds a respectable 3.58 ERA with a strong ability to keep the ball in the park and hits low. His control problems led to 13 hit batsmen in 2025. Has a 96-mile-per-hour fastball and a curveball plus a slider combo.
Holds a slider he relies too heavily on, around 61 percent of the time, but gives strong results. Keeps his walks low and uses his slider to generate most strikeouts; could be a closer if he develops an effective fastball.
Displays solid speed and gap power fit for a center fielder. high walk rate and keeps strikeouts limited just enough, should focus on developing a bit more contact to have staying power with the organization.
Full-time starter who has seen a fantastic progression over the last four years. Drops in ERA, hits surrendered, and walk rate complemented by an increase in strikeouts and versatility. Needs to get the home run rate down.
While the Yankees didn’t necessarily fail at this year’s draft, most of their players are either trapped in a logjam or need some long-term development. They still have not addressed the gaping hole in the infield that is third base, but that could change if one prospect moves to the hot corner. They did make some moves to supplement their outfield prospects, but they’re not incredibly strong.
Expect some of these guys to appear either in the middle or low-end of the team’s top-30 prospects before the end of the year. It’s depth, sure, but next year they have to be smarter on how to use their bonus pool.
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