The New York Yankees entered the 2025 MLB Draft with a target on their back and a hole in their pocket. Because they blew past the luxury tax thresholds to build a contender, the draft gods—or rather, the collective bargaining agreement—pushed their first pick back ten spots and stripped them of their second-rounder entirely.
Drafting at 39th overall isn’t ideal when you're the biggest brand in sports. But honestly, the Yankees have a "type," and they stuck to it.
They wanted athletes. Specifically, they wanted guys who could play shortstop today and maybe hit 25 homers in the Bronx tomorrow. The Yankees 2025 draft picks represent a shift toward high-ceiling left-handed bats, which, as any fan knows, is a match made in heaven for that short porch in right field.
Dax Kilby: The Georgia Peach with a Smooth Swing
With that 39th pick, the Yankees grabbed Dax Kilby. He’s an 18-year-old shortstop out of Newnan High School in Georgia. If you haven't heard of him, you've clearly missed the buzz from the MLB Draft Combine, where he clocked a 3.55-second 30-yard dash. That was the fourth-fastest time there.
Kilby is 6-foot-2, weighs about 190 pounds, and looks like the kind of kid who was born to wear pinstripes. Last season, he hit .495. No, that’s not a typo. He was basically a human cheat code for Newnan, leading them to their first state title since 1991.
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The Yankees’ VP of Domestic Amateur Scouting, Damon Oppenheimer, didn't hold back. He called Kilby a "strong-bodied and athletic left-handed hitting shortstop." The organization loves the bat speed. There’s some talk about whether he stays at shortstop long-term because of a "funky" arm action from an old shoulder injury, but the Yankees don't seem to care. If he hits, they’ll find a spot for him—maybe second base or even the outfield.
Kaeden Kent: Bloodlines and Big Game Grit
You’ve heard the name Kent before. Kaeden is the son of Jeff Kent, the 2000 NL MVP who made a career out of being one of the best-hitting second basemen ever. The Yankees took Kaeden in the third round (103rd overall) out of Texas A&M.
He's not just a "legacy" pick. During the 2024 College World Series, Kent went absolutely nuclear, batting .417 and carrying the Aggies to the finals. He’s 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, and left-handed.
Scouts say he plays with a "killer instinct." Honestly, he sort of has to. Growing up with Jeff Kent as a dad probably means you don't get much sympathy for a 0-for-4 day. The Yankees view him as a high-floor utility guy who can play all over the infield. He’s polished. He’s tough. He’s the kind of guy who arrives at Low-A Tampa and acts like he’s already been in the bigs for five years.
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The Pitching Lab: Pico Kohn and Beyond
While the early rounds were about the bats, the Yankees 2025 draft picks list quickly turned toward the mound. The Yankees are obsessed with "metrics monsters"—guys with weird arm angles or high spin rates that their pitching lab can optimize.
- Pico Kohn (4th Round, Mississippi State): This is a fascinating pick. He’s a big lefty who missed all of 2023 due to Tommy John surgery. He throws from a low three-quarters slot that makes his 94-mph fastball look like it’s coming out of his ear. Hitters hate it.
- Mac Heuer (8th Round, Texas Tech): A massive human being at 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds. His ERA in college was a bit of a mess (6.28), but the Yankees see the raw tools. He’s touched 95 mph and has a frame that suggests there's more in the tank.
- Mack Estrada (11th Round, JuCo): The Yankees reportedly went over-slot here to sign him for $490,000. He’s a right-hander with big-time "stuff" that just needs a little refinement.
Why This Class Matters More Than Usual
The Yankees' farm system has been top-heavy lately. You've got guys like Spencer Jones and George Lombard Jr. grabbing all the headlines, but the depth has been a bit thin. This 2025 class was about replenishing that middle tier.
They took a lot of college seniors in the middle rounds—guys like Camden Troyer (12th round) and Kyle West (13th round). Why? Money. By signing these guys for smaller bonuses, the Yankees saved enough cash to lure Dax Kilby away from his Clemson commitment and Mack Estrada away from the college ranks.
It's a balancing act. You take the high-upside teenager at the top, then you fill the middle with reliable college performers who can move through the system quickly.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Yankees' Strategy
People often think the Yankees just draft the biggest names. That's not really true anymore. Look at Core Jackson (5th round, Utah). He’s a shortstop from Canada who wasn't on many "top 100" lists, but he posted a 1.086 OPS and stole 20 bases. The Yankees are looking for specific athletic traits—swing decisions, exit velocity, and defensive versatility.
They also aren't afraid of "injury risk" guys. Pico Kohn and Brennan Stuprich (14th round) both have some medical history, but the Yankees trust their medical staff and their development program to get these guys back to 100%.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following these prospects, here is what you should actually watch for over the next 12 months:
- The "Statcast" Numbers: Once Kilby and Kent get to Single-A Tampa, check their exit velocities. The Yankees value hard-hit rate over almost anything else in the low minors.
- The Position Shuffle: Watch where Dax Kilby starts. If they immediately move him to second base, it tells you they don't think his arm will hold up at short. If he stays at shortstop, the Yankees think they've found a legitimate everyday star.
- Velocity Jumps: Keep an eye on Pico Kohn. If he shows up in 2026 throwing 97 mph instead of 93, the Yankees "lab" has done it again.
- Follow the Money: The signing bonuses for the 11th-20th round picks usually tell the real story of who the scouts actually love versus who was just a "depth" pick.
The 2025 draft class might not have the "Number 1 Overall" flash, but it’s a calculated, athletic group designed to maximize the unique dimensions of Yankee Stadium. Whether it's Kilby's speed or Kent's lineage, the Bronx just got a lot more interesting.
Watch the box scores for the Tampa Tarpons this summer. That’s where the 2025 class will start their journey. Don't be surprised if one of these names is hitting in the middle of a big-league lineup by 2028.