With the 20th pick in the 2021 MLB Draft which kicked off with round one on Sunday night, the New York Yankees selected infielder Trey Sweeney. Sweeney is out of Eastern Illinois University and has a lot of things going for him that Yankees fans will like.
Trey Sweeney, SS/3B, Eastern Illinois
*Height:* 6’4”
*Weight:* 200 lbs.
*Age:* 21
*Bats:* Left
*Throws:* Right
Pick Reaction
The Yankees are smart to grab a left-handed batter with an advanced approach and hit tool that would play well at Yankee Stadium. Left-handed hitters with pop are something the Yankees have been lacking, which is odd considering they play with the short porch in left at Yankee Stadium. Sweeney currently plays shortstop but could transition to third base as he has limited range. He could move through the system rather quickly if he can have a smooth move to third.
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Best Tool: Hit
The plate discipline is extremely advanced, Sweeney had 72 walks to just 57 strikeouts in his three years at Eastern Illinois. He is a very talented hitter from the left side of the plate and he keeps his bat head on a plane through the zone. These tools project to him having a high average.
Current Grade: 60
Future Grade: 65
Weakest Tool: Speed
Sweeney doesn’t blow anyone away with his speed and certainly won’t be stealing many bases. The lack of speed is also a factor in him moving to third base along with his lack of range. His arm strength is made for the hot corner and he has the reflexes that make up for the lack of range and speed. Despite the lack of speed, Sweeney will still be a respectable runner on the bases.
Current Grade: 45
Future Grade: 50
Rawest Tool: Power
Sweeney hit 14 homers in his junior season along with 58 RBI. He makes a lot of great contact and just puts the bat on the ball. This will lead to the power further developing into an above-average tool. A potential future playing at Yankee Stadium as a left-handed hitter makes that even more scary for the rest of the American League East division.
Current Grade: 50
Future Grade: 60
Final Thoughts
This is a great pick for the Yankees, and the fanbase should be excited. Sweeney is a legitimate left-handed hitter with an advanced hit tool and raw pop in his bat. While a number of pitching options were sitting there, including Ty Madden, the Yankees decided to go grab another infield bat for their system. Their 2019 first-round pick Anthony Volpe has been raking this season down in Low-A Tampa, and he and Sweeney could be the future of the left side of the infield for the Yankees.
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Main Image Credit: Embed from Getty Images
