The Major League Baseball amateur draft has concluded, and clubs will now negotiate contracts with their draftees. The New York Yankees stocked up on pitching options early on. Their second-round draft pick is left-handed pitcher Sean Duncan.
2026 MLB Draft: Yankees Round Two Selection Evaluation
The Yankees led their selection journey with a high-leverage arm. One would think that a streaky-hitting shortstop or a good offensive catcher would be in the second round. That wasn’t the case; they went with a southpaw from north of the border.
Duncan is from Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada. When evaluating talent north of the border, the west coast and eastern provinces are the notable regions. Ontario and British Columbia produce high-level collegiate and MLB draft picks.
Duncan is very well known in his hometown and within Baseball Canada. He is on the Canadian Junior National Team, which represents the country’s top players, and would play against national programs, the Dominican Republic, and MLB minor leaguers.
The left-handed Canadian created a name for himself at various showcases in North America. The Canadian Futures Showcase is one of them, which he participated in during September 2025. The Toronto Blue Jays hold this showcase and gather Canada’s top 150 high school players to play against each other on the Rogers Center field.
Sean Duncan: Evaluation, Background, and Synopsis
Duncan was illustrating the possibilities of becoming a high-leverage college pitcher, which were extremely attainable. The next step was the possibility of being selected in the higher rounds of professional baseball. Before that, his overall profile was in question.
Duncan can pitch, and most evaluators know it. Two concerns were his size and his velocity. He currently stands 6’3” in height; however, they didn’t think he’d get to this point or past that. Weighing 184 lbs, he could use more strength as a pitcher.
Secondly, his velocity was stuck for a short while until September 2025. At the Rogers Center in Toronto, Duncan took his velocity from an 88-89 mph range, now sitting 92-93 mph and maxing out at 95 mph.
This was the point that changed minds on the left-hander, and this solidified his commitment to the notorious Vanderbilt Commodores baseball program. Further to this, Duncan was confirmed to have Tommy John surgery after Team Canada visited the Dominican Republic. This news made teams cautious, but clearly not that cautious.
Although the left-handed pitcher was selected 63rd, this wasn’t the initial intention from teams, nor his own expectations. Duncan was easily an option within the first round. The first-round caliber this season had a decently high bar; however, a left-handed plus arm with projection was no match.
Synopsis
The Canadian southpaw has strong pitchability that’s fueled by a diverse pitch selection, athleticism, and baseball IQ. Duncan throws an intimate three-pitch mix that has a plus heater, changeup, and slider.
Pitchability was a work in progress for Duncan, and for a while, composure and ability to respond to adversity. He’s matured far from that and knows his job better than anyone. He works the strike zone, establishes counts, and knows when to use his options.
The West Coast Canadian pitcher was also good at controlling the running game. He was quick to the plate, and being left-handed is also an advantage. Duncan has some growing to do, both physically and metrics-wise. His overall ceiling is very high, but his ceiling is attainable.
The left-hander is projectable and is a great arm to mix in the Yankees farm system. His development is key; so is his health. Duncan will be one to crack the top 30 prospect list and work his way up over time.
Main Photo Credits: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
