Top Yankees scout explains love for top draft pick Anthony Seigler

by Felix Pantaleón

Damon Oppenheimer, the top Yankees amateur scout, explains why he picked catcher Anthony Seigler in the first round and catcher Josh Breaux in the second round of the 2018 MLB Draft on Monday, June 4, 2018 (6/4/18).

There’s the guy with “top-of-the-line makeup.”

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Then there’s the guy with the “huge arm” and “raw power.”

Yeah, Yankees Vice President and Director of Amateur Scouting Damon Oppenheimer was ecstatic about his first two picks — a pair of catchers — in the 2018 MLB Draft on Monday night.

In the first round, the Yankees selected 18-year-old Anthony Seigler out of Cartersville, Ga. It was the 23rd overall pick.

Seigler is a switch-hitter who also can throw hard from the mound with either arm. He’ll be a catcher in the pros, however.

“The thing that attracts you to Seigler is that he has the tools to catch, and he’s a switch-hitter, which makes him a unique commodity. He’s showing power from both sides of the plate, has really great instincts for baseball, a plus-arm and runs well for a catcher. On top of that, he’s proven to be versatile, with his ability to play other positions,” Oppenheimer said. “Seigler’s got top-of-the-line makeup. We’re very happy about him.”

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In the second round, Oppenheimer nabbed Josh Breaux, 20, out of McLennan Community College in Waco, Tex. It was the 61st choice.

Breaux hit 18 homers in 56 games last year.

“Josh Breaux is another guy with a really good makeup,” Oppenheimer said. “He’s still young as a junior college guy, but his arm is huge and he has raw power. His ability to hit has really matured this year. With Breaux, we think we have an impact tools guy who’s a catcher. You’re talking about a big, strong player who shows up and people understand right away why you took him.”

Brendan Kuty may be reached at bkuty@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrendanKutyNJ. Find NJ.com Yankees on Facebook.