Hello, Mariano Rivera!
Here is a rundown of the players the Yankees selected on Day Three of the 2014 MLB Draft in rounds 21-30. As always, so much of our information on these players comes from Baseball America, who we really couldn't do this without. In case you missed it, here is Jason's post on the players taken today in rounds 11-20.
| Round | Pick Number | Name | Position | School | Notes |
| 21 | 632 | Porter Clayton | LHP | Oregon | A 6'4", 215 pound lefty who just started to emerge on the national scene. Clayton sports an effortless delivery with a fastball that sits 88-90 mph. His other two offerings are a changeup and a sweeping breaking ball. He spent the 2012 and 2013 seasons away from Oregon to serve a Mormon mission and had to do a bit of catching up in 2014 as a result. |
| 22 | 662 | Jake Kelzer | RHP | Indiana | Baseball America ranked Kelzer #486 and 12th out of the state of Indiana. The 6'7" righty served as Indiana's closer down the stretch with a slider that sits in the mid 80s and a 90-91 mph fastball. His slider is his only above average pitch, according to BA, but he used it to accumulate 44 punch outs in 32 innings. Kelzer was also on the IU swim team. |
| 23 | 692 | Will Toffey | 3B | Salisbury School, CT | Ranked #353 overall and #4 in the state of Connecticut by Baseball America, Toffey is a shortstop that better profiles as a third baseman. He has an above average arm but currently below average speed down the line. He's a left-handed hitter with a quick bat who should hit for average with average power that should develop. BA calls him a tough sign with a commitment to play baseball at Vanderbilt. |
| 24 | 722 | Dominic Jose | CF | Stanford | Minor League Ball ranked switch-hitting Jose at #261 on their pre-draft list. He was ranked at #461 overall and #92 in California by Baseball America. Jose is the son of Felix Jose, who played in MLB for 11 years including 20 games with the Yankees in 2000. Dominic's playing time at Stanford was limited to 220 at-bats over three seasons. He projects to find a home at either corner outfield spot, rather than in center. |
| 25 | 752 | Dylan Barrow | RHP | Univ. of Tampa | Barrow has a 92-94 mph fastball with a breaking ball that comes in at 84 mph. He is a former shortstop/third baseman who hadn't ever pitched until after HS graduation 2010 when he went to Junior College. He recently topped out at 96 mph while pitching at a JUCO tournament. |
| 26 | 782 | Collin Slaybaugh | C | Washington State | Although he doesn't project as an everyday catcher as a professional, Slaybaugh's versatility and success at the plate should allow him to find a home in the outfield. He was named Pac 12 Baseball Scholar Athlete of the Year, first team Pac 12 All-Academic, and second team Academic All-American. |
| 27 | 812 | Griffin Gordon | OF | Jacksonville State | Baseball Draft Report ranked Gordon at #172 among college outfielders. He previously played at Southern Union Community College before transferring to Jacksonville State. He led the team at JSU with a .341 batting average and 75 hits. His .434 OBP also led the Gamecocks. |
| 28 | 842 | Lee Casas | RHP | USC | Transferred to USC from Saddleback College, where he was named the seventh-best pitcher in the league and also played some first base. At Saddleback College, he led the team with a .350 batting average and 27 RBI. |
| 29 | 872 | Mariano Rivera | RHP | Iona | A player that really needs no introduction: Mariano Rivera is the son of the greatest closer of all time and Yankee great Mariano Rivera. This Rivera doesn't throw the famed cutter, but a slider instead. He seems determined to be his own player and no just the son of Rivera. He has a fastball that sits in the lower 90s, even deep into the game. This season he has been Iona's top starter. Mo wants his son to return to school, but younger Mariano says he may have to go against his father's wishes and not let the opportunity to become a professional pass. SB Nation long form on Mariano Rivera is definitely recommended reading. |
| 30 | 902 | Jorge Perez | RHP | Grand Canyon University | Baseball America ranked Perez as the #2 prospect in the West Coast League. He is 6'2" and 210 pounds with a fastball that sat between 87 and 91 mph this spring. He was able to ramp it up to 93-94 mph last fall. His 79-83 mph slider and 76-78 mph changeup go along with his fastball that has good sink and arm-side run. Shoulder tendinitis kept him from being taken where he was originally projected, in or around the tenth round. He has an above average changeup and a below average breaking ball, according to BA. |
It's pretty exciting to see the Yankees take Mariano Rivera's son, even if he ultimately decides to return to college. What do you think about the other picks from rounds 21-30? Are you happy that they have continued picking up nearly all college players? What would you like to see them take in rounds 31-40?