Yankees’ 2025 first rounder swats first professional home run
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Dax Kilby got right to work in making an impact in his second stint with Single-A Tampa.
The Yankees’ 2025 first-round Draft pick (and No. 2 prospect) homered in his second game back with the Tarpons in Tampa’s 6-5 win over Palm Beach at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium on Saturday night. The long ball marked the first of Kirby’s professional career.
MLB’s No. 58 prospect got the best of a left-on-left matchup when he launched a two-run shot to right field off starter Brandon Clarke (STL No. 6). Kirby reached base three times in the game with two walks, a calling card of his professional offensive profile so far.
In his 2025 stint at Single-A, he walked (13) more than he struck out (11) in 81 plate appearances with an .898 OPS in his introduction to pro ball. Kirby also flashed his 60-grade run tool with 16 stolen bases in just 18 games.
Kirby missed most of 2026 so far with a right hamstring issue that’s sparked multiple setbacks. After a four-game rehab stint in the Florida Complex League, the 19-year-old has extra-base hits in his first two games back with Tampa. He’s risen from an initial No. 7 ranking in the Yankees’ system at the start of the year to his current spot.