{"id":103554,"date":"2025-07-06T23:07:31","date_gmt":"2025-07-07T03:07:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=103554"},"modified":"2025-07-06T23:07:31","modified_gmt":"2025-07-07T03:07:31","slug":"reviewing-yankees-previous-five-first-round-draft-picks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/07\/06\/reviewing-yankees-previous-five-first-round-draft-picks\/","title":{"rendered":"Reviewing the Yankees’ Previous Five First Round Draft Picks"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Major League Baseball amateur draft is just weeks away. The New York Yankees<\/a> will face their own set of challenges, starting with who to take with a late first-round pick. The team selects 39th overall in the competitive balance round.\u00a0 <\/span>The club has had some success with its first-round selections<\/a> over the years. These prospects are either developing with high projections or are current high-impact players in the big leagues. Here\u2019s a look at the Yankees’ last five first-round draft picks, working backwards from 2024.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Last Five Yankees First Round Draft Picks<\/strong><\/h2>\n

2024: Ben Hess, Right-Handed Pitcher\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This was the first choice from the Bronx in 2024, a big right-handed pitcher from the University of Alabama. Ben Hess<\/a> is currently ranked the third Yankees prospect in the top 30. The right-hander has been living up to expectations and showing positive progression.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Mar 15, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama starting pitcher Ben Hess makes a pitch against Tennessee at Sewell-Thomas Stadium in the first game of the SEC season for both teams.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

His professional debut was on April 9, 2025, and most appearances after that seemed to be second nature. Hess\u2019s ability to pitch has come naturally in professional baseball, and his display of that is consistent.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On April 16th, Hess worked five innings, allowing one unearned run, and struck out nine hitters. On May 9th, Hess worked 6 2\/3 innings, striking out nine. At High-A Hudson Valley this season, the 2024 draft prospect is 4-2 in 10 starts.\u00a0<\/span>He has struck out 66, only walking 28 while allowing 31 hits, and 27 earned runs over 45 2\/3 innings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2023: George Lombard Jr., Shortstop\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

George Lombard Jr.<\/a> was a high school prospect when taken in the first round, 26th overall, in the 2023 MLB draft. The infielder is in the mix of trying to be the next version of Derek Jeter<\/a>. His overall profile and projections put him very close to that goal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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George Lombard Jr. talks about playing in the Yankees organization and how he got to wear #\ufe0f\u20e32\ufe0f\u20e3 for the @SOMPatriots<\/a>! pic.twitter.com\/JwVpzY432M<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) July 5, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n