C Andrew Yerzy 2nd Round (52nd Overall)- Arizona Diamondbacks--Signed $1,214,100
With the 13th pick of the second round (52nd overall) the Arizona Diamondbacks selected power-hitting catcher Andrew Yerzy.
Bats/Throws: Left/Right
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
Teams: Toronto Mets/Canadian Jr National Team
College Commitment: Notre Dame
Coaches: Chris Kemlo, Ryan McBride, Honsing Leung, Greg Hamilton.
Twitter Handle: @ayeezy56
Slot Money: $1,214,100
Signed For: $1,214,100
Scouts: Doug Mathieson, Tim Wilken
Scouting Reports:
Baseball America
Yerzy homered in last summer’s Under Armour All-American Game at Wrigley Field and has shown consistent hitting ability and present power from the left side. He’s shown the ability to handle velocity at the plate with Canada’s junior national team, playing top competition in trips to Florida and Arizona in the fall and spring.
He’s a tough profile for the draft in some ways, though, because of his lack of a defensive home. While he’s improved behind the plate, he has fringy arm strength and some stiffness in his strong, 6-foot-3, 215-pound frame. Many scouts see him moving to first base, and it may be tough to buy him out of his Notre Dame commitment.
MLB Pipeline
Hit: 40 | Power: 55 | Run: 40 | Arm: 50 | Field: 40 | Overall: 45
Yerzy, a native of Toronto, really put himself firmly on the map during the High School Select home run derby held over the All Star Game weekend in Cincinnati, advancing to the finals and getting to swing with the Major Leaguers in the main event on Monday. Team Canada’s annual tour through Florida this spring gave Yerzy the chance to raise his stock, and he took advantage.
Scouts made a note of Yerzy’s left-handed power, something he showed at other showcase events over the summer, and his ability to square up the baseball showed up consistently this spring. He’s more power than hit, but it’s easy power, and while he may never hit for a high average, the home run pop should play in games. His play behind the plate is a bit more crude. He has an average arm that’s accurate, even though he needs to improve his footwork. His hands work decently, and he should become an adequate overall receiver in time.
Catchers are always in high demand, especially ones with left-handed power who have a chance to stay behind the plate. Yerzy’s spring tour had teams discussing the Notre Dame commit in the Draft’s first few rounds.
Baseball America
Yerzy homered in last summer’s Under Armour All-American Game at Wrigley Field and has shown consistent hitting ability and present power from the left side. He’s shown the ability to handle velocity at the plate with Canada’s junior national team, playing top competition in trips to Florida and Arizona in the fall and spring.
He’s a tough profile for the draft in some ways, though, because of his lack of a defensive home. While he’s improved behind the plate, he has fringy arm strength and some stiffness in his strong, 6-foot-3, 215-pound frame. Many scouts see him moving to first base, and it may be tough to buy him out of his Notre Dame commitment.
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