Due to their spending habits, the New York Yankees will have to wait longer than most teams to make their selection in the 2025 MLB draft. Because the Yankees exceeded the second surcharge threshold of the Competitive Balance Tax (CBT) with their payroll last season, their draft position drops by 10 spots. As a result, their original pick at No. 29 falls back to No. 39. This isn’t unique to the Yankees; both the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets, who also exceeded the CBT threshold, will face similar delays in their selections.
The Yankees’ first pick will actually come in the Competitive Balance Round A, which is typically reserved for teams with smaller markets or lower revenue pools. Despite this setback, the Yankees will work with their draft position.
In Baseball America’s recent mock draft, the site predicted that New York would select Gavin Fien, a versatile high school player from Great Oak High School in Temecula, California, who can play both infield and outfield. Fien, ranked as the No. 30 overall prospect, represents value for the Yankees as he was considered the best available player at that spot, possessing first-round talent.
Fien primarily plays third base, a position of need for the Yankees, but he’ll require some time to develop. Meanwhile, a player from the 2023 draft, George Lombard Jr., is already turning heads within the organization and is considered a rising star, though still in need of development.
In recent years, the Yankees have focused on position players in the first round, selecting catcher Austin Wells (2020), shortstop Trey Sweeney (2021), and outfielder Spencer Jones (2022). Wells is now with the Yankees, while Sweeney was traded and now plays for the Detroit Tigers. Jones is progressing through the minors.
The 2025 MLB draft will take place on July 13-14, during All-Star Weekend in Atlanta.
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