The New York Yankees have selected Blake Rutherford with pick number 18 in this year’s draft but what must we know about the newest member of the organization?

Although not as prevalent as the NFL Draft, Major League Baseball’s 2016 draft class had some highly regarded prospects and the New York Yankees cashed in on one of them.

New York selected outfielder Blake Rutherford of Chaminade College Prep High School in West Hills, California with the No. 18 pick on Thursday night.

Rutherford batted .577 with 45 hits, including 13 doubles and four home runs for Chaminade this season and played two summers for USA Baseball’s 18-U team and took home a world championship last year in Japan. He also has a commitment UCLA if a deal with the Bombers is not reached.

Many scouts considered Rutherford as one of the best prospects in this year’s class and it seems as though the Yankees got lucky that he fell all the way to pick no. 18.

Jim Bowden of ESPN even thinks he’ll develop into a star that could club 20 home runs and 20 doubles but the Yankees can just hope he amounts to something as their last draft pick to make a significant impact was Phil Hughes who was selected in 2004.

They have had zero first round picks make it to the pros since 2010 which is obviously the least in all of baseball.

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Although I would have rather seen the Yankees select a starting pitcher with tremendous upside, he is ranked very high by Baseball America due to his smooth swing and athleticism.

Although the now centerfielder will likely stray away from that position, his hitting abilities will prove this selection to be worthwhile. Given their track record of draft busts, it’s promising to listen in on some experts and scouts to hear nothing but praise.

If all goes well, the kid who grew up idolizing Derek Jeter and rooting for the Yankees can be seen in the future hitting some out at Yankee Stadium. I can almost hear John Sterling now: “Blake Hits One To East Rutherford!”

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