Latest news with #KileyMcDaniel
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Yankees predicted to bring power-hitting young catcher to New York
The New York Yankees have a lot of catching options already. In fact, the organization has become something of a catcher factory the last few years. New York has Austin Wells, J.C. Escarra, and Ben Rice on what's suddenly become a crowded depth chart. They've also lost Luis Torrens, Jose Trevino, Ben Rortvedt, Carlos Narváez, Gary Sanchez, and Kyle Higashioka to decent roles with other organizations. One might think the Yankees taking a catcher with their first draft pick this summer would be a foolish move, but in Major League Baseball, you don't draft on need. Prospects can become anything during their time in the minors, and if the Yankees see a catcher they think can be a game-changer, they'll grab him. One ESPN draft analyst believes they'll do just that. In a recent mock draft, ESPN's Kiley McDaniel predicted that the Yankees would select Hauppauge H.S. (NY) catcher Michael Oliveto with the 39th overall pick in the Jul. 13 amateur draft. "Oliveto is a local pick who played high school ball on Long Island and a late riser. Nobody in baseball knew his name until a standout event last fall, but he ended up choosing Yale over some blue-blood programs," McDaniel wrote. Follow The Sporting News On WhatsApp "He didn't face much top-end competition this spring, but a handful of teams saw a pretty swing with 65-grade power, which Oliveto put on display at the combine... Who was the last lefty-hitting high schooler from a cold weather state with that sort of profile who went around here in the draft? Jackson Merrill." Oliveto has a sweet left-handed swing, and at 6-foot-3, 185 pounds, he's got a good frame with more filling out to do. All of the Yankees' current catchers bat lefty, so they clearly have a type. With only 11 days until the draft, we'll soon find out if the Yankees' thinking matches McDaniel's.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Detroit Tigers pick Jordan Yost, a high school SS, in Round 1 of 2025 MLB Draft
The Detroit Tigers selected shortstop Jordan Yost from Sickles High School in Tampa, Florida, on Sunday, July 13, in Atlanta in the first round of the 2025 MLB Draft, with the No. 24 overall pick. Jordan Yost is a shortstop who bats left and throws right; he's one of the more interesting prospects in this year's draft. Yost was ranked as the No. 50 prospect by MLB, but his draft status has been created almost exclusively by his senior year performance. Prior to this year, he was not a well-scouted player. Advertisement 'Jordan Yost was not getting scouted until this spring," ESPN draft analyst Kiley McDaniel said Sunday. "He wasn't at any of the summer events.' Buy our book: The Epic History of the Tigers Yost was measured at 5 feet 11 and 150 pounds before this year. His MLB profile had him at 6-0 and 170 pounds entering Sunday. Over his senior year, Yost grew into his body and began to find his rhythm, building on an impressive prep career. He led his squad with a .420 batting average, 48 runs and 28 stolen bases. He also set the program's hits record with 105 over his high school career, including four home runs, and drove in 26 RBIs. Yost was awarded the Wade Boggs Athletic Achievement Award, an award given to an outstanding athlete in Hillsborough County every year, for his performance. The late-blooming infielder is committed to the University of Florida, where his brother Hayden plays. Advertisement FOLLOW ALONG: 2025 MLB Draft tracker: Every player drafted in first round on Day 1 Yost is the third first-round pick selected by Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris. In 2023, Harris selected prep outfielder Max Clark third overall from Franklin Community High School in Indiana. In 2024, he selected prep shortstop Bryce Rainier at No. 11 overall from Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles. The Tigers continued their draft on Sunday night with their Competitive Balance Round A pick at No. 34 overall: high school catcher Michael Oliveto, a Yale commit from New York. [ NEW TIGERS NEWSLETTER! Sign up for The Purr-fect Game, a weekly dose of Tigers news, numbers and analysis for Freep subscribers. ] Advertisement The No. 24 pick comes with a recommended bonus slot value of $3,726,300, though teams can exceed that to sign picks as long as they do not exceed their total bonus pool. If the Tigers sign the No. 24 pick for less than slot, those savings can be applied to picks later in the draft. The Tigers have $10,990,800 to spend on their 21 draft picks this year, the 17th-most in baseball. Teams are allowed to exceed the allotment for picks by 5% before paying a 75% fine on the overage. No MLB team has exceeded the 5% limit since the slots were created. Day 1 of the draft features the first three rounds, with Day 2 on Monday, July 14, featuring Rounds 4-20, beginning at 11:30 a.m. on TRENDING: Tigers players aren't worried about deportation but union suggests they carry documents Advertisement Follow the best Tigers coverage all-year round at This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers pick Jordan Yost in 2025 MLB Draft first round
USA Today
11-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Talented pitcher confirms pledge to LSU baseball and passes up MLB Draft
A top high school prospect is passing up the MLB draft to play for LSU baseball. According to Kiley McDaniel, right-handed pitcher Reagan Ricken will head to Baton Rouge. "He was widely expected to not sign due to a big asking price but is a clear seven-figure talent. He ranks 121st on my final draft board," McDaniel wrote on social media on Friday morning. According to Perfect Game, Ricken is the No. 69-ranked high school prospect in the class. He ranks No. 13 among right-handed pitchers and No. 16 in the state of California. He stands at 6-foot-5 and weighs 220 pounds. Ricken confirmed the news with a post of his own. "After thoughtful consideration with my family, I have decided to officially withdraw my name from the 2025 MLB Draft. I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunities and support throughout this process. I am excited to be attending LSU. Geaux Tigers," wrote Ricken. Ricken continues LSU's run of finding recruiting success on the West Coast. LSU head coach Jay Johnson made his name coaching in Nevada and Arizona and has maintained those connections in Baton Rouge. One of LSU's top hitters in 2025 was Derek Curiel -- another California product. It's unclear what Ricken's role with LSU will be in 2025. There's a chance for newcomers to compete for premium roles with Kade Anderson and Anthony Eyanson off to the MLB. Ricken has the stuff to make an impact as a true freshman.
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Could This Power Bat Be the Key to Tigers Making a Playoff Push?
Could This Power Bat Be the Key to Tigers Making a Playoff Push? originally appeared on Athlon Sports. If the Tigers are serious about making a run, this might be the bat that gets them there. Eugenio Suarez is hitting .254 with 25 home runs, 67 RBIs and an .893 OPS through June 28. He's near career highs in both isolated power and wRC+, and while his defense at third base has slipped in recent years, he's still capable of holding down the position. Advertisement More importantly, he's available. Arizona has top prospect Jordan Lawlar, who was tearing it up in Triple-A before being put on the injured list Thursday, and the Diamondbacks are expected to find a spot for him as soon as possible. That could make Suarez—who's in a contract year—a logical trade piece whether or not the D-backs fully sell. Detroit, meanwhile, is stuck in the middle. The Tigers have weathered some rough patches and stayed in the mix, but they're missing something in the heart of the lineup. Suarez brings right-handed power, postseason experience, and production that would instantly lengthen the order. He's not a flashy solution, but he's an impact one. © Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images ESPN's Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel identified the Tigers as a favorite landing spot for Suarez in their recent trade deadline preview, citing the positional fit and Detroit's need for veteran offense. From this view, it tracks. Advertisement The cost shouldn't be outrageous. Suarez is 33 and on an expiring deal. But the production is real, and the Tigers don't have anyone in the system right now putting up those numbers at third base. It's not about making a splash. It's about adding a bat that can help you win games in August and September. Suarez looks like that guy. Related: Tigers Make Roster Move To Bring Back a Steady Veteran Related: From Yankees Castoff to Tigers All-Star? This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
MLB insiders say Yankees–Red Sox deadline deal is a real possibility
MLB insiders say Yankees–Red Sox deadline deal is a real possibility originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Alex Bregman in pinstripes? It still sounds far-fetched. It probably is a long shot, but insiders are buzzing about the Boston Red Sox using the third baseman as a trade chip. Advertisement And the Yankees were named as the perfect landing spot. According to ESPN's Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan, Bregman is the most impactful player who could be dealt at this year's deadline. They only give it a 10 percent chance, but hey, they are saying there's a chance. Bregman's name is also starting to surface more often among league insiders as Boston's most likely trade chip. Bregman was slashing .299/.385/.553 before landing on the injured list with a quad strain. He's still owed the bulk of a 3-year, $120 million deal—but that includes opt-outs after 2025 and 2026. That makes him both expensive and flexible, which could appeal to a contender looking for short-term impact without a long-term commitment. Advertisement For the Yankees, the fit is clear. Third base remains a revolving door. Bregman brings postseason experience, right-handed power, and a playoff mindset. He knows what October feels like, and he can still hit. Boston Red Sox third base Alex Bregman (2) walks on the field in the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Heitman-Imagn Images Of course, there's history here. Yankees–Red Sox trades are rare, but not unheard of. Boston would have to be willing to deal inside the division, and New York would need to part with real pieces to make it happen. Bregman isn't exactly beloved in the Bronx because of his ties to the Houston Astros' cheating scandal, but he isn't exactly treated like Jose Altuve either. The Yankees kicked the tires on Bregman last winter but weren't interested in a long-term deal. The opt-outs in his contract could be attractive. Advertisement Another connected insider, Jim Bowden, suggested the Yankees would revisit a deal with Bregman this winter if he opted out. It's a long shot. But the Yankees are in a win-now window, and Bregman fits the kind of profile they've chased before—productive, proven, and playoff-tested. If Boston continues to struggle, Brian Cashman should be calling. Related: Yankees' RISP Troubles Continue Related: Aaron Judge Has Strong Message for Former Yankees Teammate Who Stole His Swag This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
