With the MLB draft being less than two months away, the New York Yankees draft board must be organized with intent and priority. The area of necessity is behind the plate, at the catcher role. What catcher options does the club have in this year’s draft?
Catching depth in the minor leagues is evidently lacking, and probably one of the most overlooked positions for selection. In their farm system, the Yankees only have three options in the mix.
While they have three options, none of them would come as highly touted as the slate of college catchers. The reality of them regressing in development or swaying from their position to first base is also possible. It makes choosing a catcher even more urgent for the Yankees in the MLB draft.
Catcher MLB Draft Targets the Yankees Can Zone In On
The Yankees may not take a catcher as their first pick, but it’s not an unreasonable move for them to make. Their draft position puts them at the back of an extended first-round line, picking 39th. Any ideal player they would select in a first-round situation may not be available.
This will make the scenario better suited to pivot to a catcher and fill a much-needed void within the organization.
Luke Stevenson, North Carolina
Stevenson may be a far fetch for the Yankees in their first selection. Especially because many teams may have similar needs, and Stevenson falls within the first 30 picks. He is ranked 20th among MLB’s top 2025 draft prospects.
The catcher is the top-ranked player in his position on the list. He is 6’1”, 200 lbs, hitting from the left side. Stevenson is currently a sophomore for the North Carolina Tar Heels. He’s hit 33 home runs with 116 RBIs and 117 hits in his two years of college ball.
Stevenson totaled a .267 batting average, .417 on-base percentage, and .543 slugging percentage. The catching prospect could have been a valuable pick out of high school, but he decided to up his stock in the NCAA.
Stevenson would be a good fit for the Yankees’ farm system and would be one of the top prospects in the rankings.
Caden Bodine, Coastal Carolina
This catcher is currently in the NCAA College World Series with Coastal Carolina. Bodine is ranked 38th in the draft prospect rankings. He’s a junior at the school and is a factor in their lineup and defensive alignment.
Bodine doesn’t profile as a power hitter; however, he has the making of a proficient contact hitter. He controls his barrel well and gets solid pieces. His hit scale rating is 60 on the 20-80 scale. One positive aspect of his offensive profile is his ability to get on base and walk.
In three seasons, Bodine walked 112 times, striking out only 67 times. He slashes a .339/.442/.533. The switch-hitting catcher has a lot to offer offensively, along with a well-set defensive profile and great baseball IQ.
Charlie Muniz, University of the Cumberlands
Charlie Muniz’s name has not circulated amongst the top draft prospects, but it has made its way around collegiate baseball. The catcher comes from a well-respected NAIA program out of Kentucky, the University of the Cumberlands.
His career there sparked draft interest early on; his numbers compounded, and his power was on display each and every at-bat. Raw power is a non-negotiable fact, as Muniz blasted over 110 career home runs.
This season alone, he hit 36 home runs, driving in 101 RBIs on 89 hits. This is his collegiate career best. Muniz uses the whole field, driving the ball gap-to-gap, and utilizing good launch angle for the long ball.
Muniz is expected to be selected within the first three rounds, and he could be a hidden gem within these selections.
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