Here are the Yankees' 2026 Draft picks
This browser does not support the video element.
NEW YORK – The chance to fit another Pettitte for pinstripes was too appealing an opportunity to pass on.
The Yankees selected Luke Pettitte, son of five-time World Series champion Andy Pettitte, in the eighth round of the MLB Draft (248th overall) on Sunday.
The 21-year-old Pettitte is a two-way player who posted a 3.19 ERA across 48 innings and 17 games in parts of his first two seasons at Dallas Baptist University.
Unable to pitch this season while he recovers from Tommy John surgery, Pettitte swung the bat instead, hitting .337/.403/.693 with 16 home runs and 48 RBIs as a full-time designated hitter.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone was excited to learn of the selection after the club’s 5-3 victory over the Nationals in Washington.
“Heck yeah,” Boone said. “Andy's become a real good friend now, and obviously he's ... a big part of our staff and our culture. Getting to know Luke and his journey and his story, having Tommy John and going out raking in college this year. I’m looking forward to seeing his journey unfold. He's a great kid. That's great news.”
Currently a Yankees special advisor, Andy Pettitte pitched to a 3.85 ERA across an 18-year career in the Majors, 15 of which he spent with New York. And while he compiled a .138 lifetime batting average, Pettitte delivered arguably the biggest hit of his career in Game 3 of the 2009 World Series, a run-scoring single off Cole Hamels.
“We’re going to have to listen to Pettitte now,” Derek Jeter said at the time. “He’s been bragging about his hitting all year.”
Here is a recap of the Yankees’ 2026 Draft class:
This browser does not support the video element.
Hunter Dietz, LHP
- Round 1, Pick 35
- Bats/throws: R/L
- School: University of Arkansas
- Calling Card: Dietz boasts big velocity, working at 94-96 mph and touching 98 mph with his fastball. He throws from an unusually high arm angle (6 feet, 7 inches) that induces ground ball contact. Some evaluators believed he was the best college left-hander in the Draft.
- Quote: "I've learned every single thing I need to know about myself. I wouldn't do it any different. I feel like the bumps have been really good for me. Like every single bump I've had, I've been able to walk away from it and take something away that I can do better and grow on as a pitcher and a player and a teammate." – Dietz, to the Fort Smith Southwest Times Record in May
This browser does not support the video element.
Sean Duncan, LHP
- Round 2, Pick 63
- Bats/throws: R/L
- School: Terry Fox Secondary School (British Columbia)
- Calling Card: Duncan underwent Tommy John surgery in June, but he’s a projectable 6-foot-3 lefty who has shown steady progress pitching in front of scouts since age 14 with Canada’s junior national team. He has a true three-pitch mix and shows a propensity for strike-throwing.
- Quote: “My dad coached me all through BC Minor and Little League, and he’s really the reason I fell in love with the game. When I learned how to pitch, it just clicked. I understood it, liked the challenge, and I was pretty good at it right away.” – Duncan
This browser does not support the video element.
Brendan Brock, C
- Round 3, Pick 99
- Bats/throws: R/R
- School: University of Oklahoma
- Calling Card: Brock has uncommon speed and athleticism for a catcher, though scouts expected he would fall to the third round because of his struggles in Southeastern Conference play. Brock has raw power and crushes fastballs, but he has struggled with offspeed pitches. He has also played all three outfield positions and was a catalyst during Oklahoma’s College World Series run.
- Quote: “I’m a little sneaky six-hole [hitter]. One or two hits a game, I’ll take it.” – Brock, during the College World Series
This browser does not support the video element.
Paul Gutierrez-Contreras, OF
- Round 4, Pick 127
- Bats/throws: R/R
- School: Cal State Fullerton
- Calling Card: Contreras was named the Big West Co-Player of the Year as a junior in 2026 following a .346/.441/.633 line to go along with 14 homers. He’s a big, physical right-handed hitter who has played mostly right field but should get a look in center.
- Quote: “Paul is a big guy with athleticism and he can play all three outfield positions. He has serious right-handed power and his bat-to-ball skills are really good. It’s a really good pick at this stage of the Draft.” – Oppenheimer
More on the Yankees' 2026 Draft:
Rounds 5-10
Player to watch: Bear Harrison, C
- Round 5, Pick 160
- Bats/throws: R/R
- School: Texas A&M
- Calling Card: The younger brother of Brewers left-hander Kyle Harrison is an offensive-minded catcher who offers on-base skills and right-handed pop. He batted .293/.493/.608 with 11 homers and is still a work in progress defensively.
- Quote: “I’d be getting dirty just doing crazy stuff, throwing the ball against the wall. All the parents around were like, ‘He kind of acts like a bear.’” – Harrison, to KXXV News
Rounds 11-15
Player to watch: Anthony Potestio, SS
- Round 11, Pick 338
- Bats/throws: L/R
- School: UC San Diego
- Calling Card: A versatile utility player, Potestio is a line-drive hitter who grinds out at-bats. He earned All-Big West Conference honors with a .298/.431/.436 slash line in 49 games. His father, Frank, and uncle, Doug, were both drafted and played professionally in the 1980s.
Rounds 16-20
Player to watch: Tyce Armstrong, 1B
- Round 19, Pick 578
- Bats/throws: R/R
- School: Baylor (Texas)
- Calling Card: Armstrong has big-time power, breaking Baylor’s single-season record with 24 homers. He hit three grand slams with 12 RBIs against New Mexico State on Feb. 13, in the season opener. He is the second player in NCAA history to hit three grand slams in a single game.
- Quote: “Honestly, I didn't feel great that day. My batting practice before it wasn't anything special. My swing was a little off and then I got into the game and it just clicked for me.” – Armstrong, to KCEN