The University of Alabama is renowned for its football program, having seen 432 Crimson Tide football players drafted into the NFL. However, the 205-year-old university has also made a significant impact on Major League Baseball, contributing 312 players, including 155 selected through the MLB amateur draft, which has been held annually since 1965.
Alabama has had five players chosen in the first round of the draft, the most recent being this year. Right-handed pitcher Ben Hess was selected 26th overall by the New York Yankees, making him the second-highest draft pick in the school’s history.
A new trade proposal suggests that the Yankees might part ways with Hess soon after his draft selection as part of an effort to upgrade their infield following Gleyber Torres’ departure to the Detroit Tigers. According to Sporting News reporter Jackson Roberts, the Yankees could trade Hess along with minor league infielder Jorbit Vivas to the Tampa Bay Rays.
In exchange, the Yankees would receive second baseman Brandon Lowe, a versatile but injury-prone 30-year-old who has also played first base and corner outfield during his seven years with Tampa Bay. Lowe has two years left on his six-year, $24 million deal, but his market value could reach $80 million over four years, according to SpoTrac. The Yankees would only owe Lowe $10.5 million in 2025, and his contract includes a club option for 2026, giving the Yankees the flexibility to release him after one season or retain him for $11.5 million.
This trade would benefit both teams financially. The Rays, with one of the lowest payrolls in MLB, could offload Lowe’s $10.5 million salary, while the Yankees would secure a cost-effective replacement for Torres.
Despite battling injuries in recent seasons, Lowe has posted strong numbers when healthy, with an .808 OPS and 126 OPS+ since 2020, including a 39-homer season in his 2021 All-Star campaign. Hess, a former top high school prospect from Illinois, had a promising final season at Alabama, reaching up to 99 mph on his fastball. However, he struggled with injuries early in his college career, and to reach his potential as a No. 2 starter, Hess will need to improve his control. The Rays’ pitching development program could help him rebuild his command, aiming to return to the strikeout-to-walk ratio he posted during his sophomore year at Alabama.
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