Yankees Add Key Picks in Day 2 of 2026 MLB Draft

Yankees’ Early Day 2 Picks

The Yankees returned from the break with their first selection of the night, taking Anthony Potestio, a shortstop from UC San Diego. Potestio, listed at 5’11” and 195 lbs, posted a .298/.431/.436 line with four home runs in 49 games this season and earned All‑Conference honors. He is described as a patient hitter who works counts and rarely strikes out, offering solid contact and defensive versatility. This marks back‑to‑back shortstop investments for New York, joining Brendan Brock and Bear Harrison from earlier rounds.

Next on the board, the Yankees selected Austin Berggren, a right‑handed pitcher from Miami (Ohio). The 12th‑round pick stands 6’3” tall and weighs 225 lbs, serving as the RedHawks’ closer with a 3.65 ERA over 44.1 innings and 61 strikeouts. Berggren’s work this year follows a dramatic improvement from a 2025 campaign where his ERA topped 10. He features a three‑pitch mix—mid‑90s fastball, 88‑90 mph cutter, and a mid‑80s curve—all with high spin rates that Baseball America called “outstanding.”

Round 13 saw the Yankees reach for Lee Garris, a 6’0”, 200‑lb left‑handed hitter from Maury High School in Virginia. Garris earned first‑team all‑state honors and remains committed to James Madison University, though ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel has him ranked 235th overall and open to negotiation. After a senior‑season slump, former All‑Star Michael Cuddyer gave Garris a pep talk that helped him simplify his approach and rediscover his swing. His early‑season struggles and subsequent turnaround could make him a valuable signing for the Bronx team.

Mid‑Round Batting Additions

Continuing the offensive focus, the Yankees added Diego Castellanos, an outfielder from Saint Mary’s (California). The 14th‑round pick stands 6’0” and 190 lbs, hitting .382/.458/.554 with six homers and 21 doubles in 62 games as a junior. Castellanos earned All‑Conference first team and All‑Tournament recognition, and he set a program record with a 39‑game hitting streak that carried into the postseason. Scouts note his high‑hand swing and solid contact rates, though they see him more as a corner outfielder than a center‑field threat.

Closing out the list, the Yankees took William Cutshall, a shortstop from Seneca High School in South Carolina. Cutshall, listed at 6’2” and 190 lbs, was born in Panama and represented his country in the U‑18 World Baseball Cup in Japan. He earned rave reviews after hitting .577 with 53 RBIs in 43 games during the 2024 Perfect Game Class of 2026 Tourney and appears on Baseball America’s Top 500 High School list. The right‑hander’s handsy swing and gap‑to‑power profile have drawn interest from Ole Miss, where he remains committed, presenting a potential signing challenge for New York.

What the Picks Signal for the Yankees

The late‑round haul addresses multiple needs: infield depth with two shortstops, a customizable outfielder who can contribute at the corner spots, and a bullpen arm with good spin on his offerings. The Yankees have been focused on replenish<|channel|>analysis<|message|>We need to produce original blog post, HTML with h1, h2, p, ul, li, strong, and keep original img tags exactly as they are. The source article includes many tags but not img. There’s an ad:

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Early Yankee Picks: Infield Depth

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Berggren: 25 games, 44.1 IP, 3.65 ERA, 61 K, 13 BB. Jump from 2025 with >10 ERA. Previously at Miami (Ohio) after Johnson County CC and brief Nebraska stint. Pitches: low-mid 90s fastball, 88-90 cutter, mid-80s curve, high spin.

Garris: 6’0″, 200 lbs, left-handed, first-team all-state Virginia, committed to James Madison, 235 ranking ESPN, overcame slump senior year with help from Michael Cuddyer.

Castellanos: 6’0″, 190 lbs, .382/.458/.554, 6 HR, 21 doubles, 61 RBIs, 62 games, All-Conference first team, All-Tournament, program record 39-game hitting streak, transfer portal, considered pro.

Cutshall: 6’2″, 190 lbs, born Panama, U-18 World Baseball Cup in Japan, Perfect Game Class of 2026 Tourney 2024 .577 avg, 53 RBIs in 43 games, rave reviews, Top 500 HS list, handsy swing, gap power, committed to Ole Miss.

Also mention earlier Day 1 picks: left-handed starters (two), pitchers (including Luke Pettitte), catchers (Brendan Brock, Bear Harrison). Could be background in an earlier h2.

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Yankees Fill Infield, Add Power with Late Draft Picks

Early Yankee Picks: Infield Depth

The Yankees scrambled to bolster their infield early in Day 2, taking a shortstop from the Pac‑12 ranks. Anthony Potestio, listed at 5’11” and 195 lbs, posted a .298/.431/.436 line with four homers in 49 games and earned All‑Conference honors. He shuffled between several defensive spots as a freshman before locking in at short, serving as the Tritons’ leadoff threat. This selection gives New York depth at a position where they have struggled to lock in a long‑term starter.

New York’s next pick shifted to the mound, choosing a right‑handed reliever who proved his worth as a closer. Austin Berggren, 6’3” and 225 lbs, recorded a 3.65 ERA over 44.1 innings in 25 appearances, striking out 61 batters while walking 13. The 12th‑round pick rebounded from a sophomore season where his ERA hovered above 10, having spent time at Johnson County CC and a brief stint with Nebraska. Scouts highlighted his high‑spin fastball, cutter and curve as a promising blend for a bullpen piece.

The Yankees reached back to a prep standout from Virginia, adding a left‑handed-hitting outfielder with sticker‑grade contact. Lee Garris, 6’0” and 200 lbs, earned first‑team all‑state honors and remains committed to James Madison, though ESPN’s ranking placed him at No. 235 and left room for a pro contract. After a sophomore slump, Garris revamped his approach following a conversation with former All‑Star Michael Cuddyer, who urged him to simplify his swing. The smooth bat‑to‑ball skills and left‑side hitting could give the Yankees a viable corner outfielder down the line.

Mid‑Round Power and Speed

The Bronx club kept the offensive momentum alive by snatching a college outfielder with notable gap power. Diego Castellanos, 6’0” and 190 lbs, batted .382/.458/.554 in his junior year, slamming six home runs and doubling 21 times while driving in 61 runs across 62 games. He netted All‑Conference first team and All‑Tournament nods, and his 39‑game hitting streak set a program record that carried into postseason play. As Castellanos enters the transfer portal, the timing could make him ripe for a professional commitment.

Closing out the night’s haul, New York selected a high‑school shortstop who dazzled at the travel circuit. William Cutshall, 6’2” and 190 lbs, was born in Panama and competed for his country in the U‑18 World Baseball Cup held in Japan. The 2024 Perfect Game Class of 2026 Tourney standout posted a .577 average with 53 RBIs in just 43 games, earning rave reviews from evaluators. Baseball America placed him on their Top 500 high‑school list, noting his handsy swing and ability to generate gap‑to‑power, though he remains committed to Ole Miss, presenting a signing challenge for the Yankees.

What It Means for the Yankees’ Future

By targeting three middle‑infielders and two power‑potential outfielders, the Yankees address both immediate depth and long‑term flexibility. The shortstop group now includes two high‑school prospects and a collegiate bat, creating competition that could push each player to refine their tools. Meanwhile, the bullpen arm provides a right‑handed option that can soften a乏 arm‑side imbalance in the relief corps.

These late selections also reflect a strategic emphasis on players who can contribute offensively without heavy bonus demands, allowing the organization to allocate resources toward higher‑priced top prospects. With the core of the 2026 class still emerging, the Yankees have built a foundation that can be honed through seasoning in the minors, potentially yielding contributors for the 2028 window. The mix of college experience, prep tools, and international background adds diversity to the system, giving scouts multiple avenues to develop talent.