MLB Draft 2018: Yankees pick catcher Anthony Seigler in 1st round

by Felix Pantaleón

The Yankees selected 18-year-old high school catcher Anthony Seigler with their first pick, No. 23 overall, in the 2018 MLB Draft on Monday, June 4, 2018 (6/4/18).

The Yankees picked Anthony Seigler, an 18-year-old catcher from Cartersville, Ga., with their first-round pick in the 2018 MLB Draft on Monday.

Seigler is a switch-hitter who — get this — is also an ambidextrous thrower.

It was the 23rd overall selection, which comes with a slot value of $2,815,900.

Here’s a portion of MLB.com’s scouting report on Seigler:

He’s agile behind the plate, has a quick transfer that helps his arm play as plus at times and shows promise as a receiver and pitch framer. He’s more athletic than most catchers, along the lines of Austin Barnes, and could profile as an everyday second baseman as well.

Seigler makes consistent hard contact from both sides of the plate and employs an all-fields approach. There’s some question as to how much power he’ll have, but he has solid bat speed and should provide at least double-digit home run production once he gets stronger. The Florida recruit has close to average speed, making him quick for a catcher, and shows good instincts in all phases of the game.

Yankees select Georgia hs catcher Anthony Seigler in 1st round. He’s a switch hitter and a switch pitcher! (though he’s projected to stay at catcher) pic.twitter.com/vKnNIxaMHf

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) June 5, 2018

The Yankees were allotted $6,115,100 to spend in the first 10 rounds.

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Last season, the Yankees selected Clarke Schmidt, a righty out of Louisville who was rehabbing following Tommy John surgery, for a well-below-slot bargain of $2,184,300.

On May 22, Schmidt faced hitters for the first time in more than a year.

“Getting closer and closer!!” he wrote on Twitter.

MLB.com ranks Schmidt, a starting pitcher, the team’s 12th best prospect.

Here’s what Yankees amateur scouting head Damon Oppenheimier said about Schmidt last year:

“Schmidt’s got four pitches that at times are all plus. He has command, he has makeup,” said Damon Oppenheimer, Yankees Vice President of Domestic Amateur Scouting. “We really like his delivery. He’s got a chance to be a top end of the rotation type of guy who combines pitchability with power stuff.”

Schmidt was slotted in right behind Matt Sauer, the Yankees’ second-round pick in 2017.

Sauer, 19, actually signed for more money ($2,497,500) than Schmidt ($2,184,300). Sauer has been at the Yankees’ extended spring training and hasn’t played in a professional game yet.

As the Yankees drafted, the big-league team was playing the second half of a doubleheader against the Tigers in Detroit. They won the first game of the day, 7-4, getting home runs from Austin Romine, Gleyber Torres and Greg Bird.

Brendan Kuty may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @BrendanKutyNJ. Find NJ.com Yankees on Facebook.