Yankees Select Jacob Lindgren with their First Overall Pick of 2014 MLB Draft
The New York Yankees tonight selected left-handed pitcher Jacob Lindgren out of Mississippi State University, with their first overall selection (55th pick overall) in the second round of the First-Year Player Draft.
Lindgren, listed at 5-foot-11, 205 pounds, recently concluded his junior season with a 6-1 record and a 0.81 ERA (55.1IP, 5ER) in 26 relief appearances. He recorded 100 strikeouts and only 25 walks for the Bulldogs, averaging 16.3 strikeouts per nine innings pitched while holding opponents to a .124 batting average (23-for-185).
Lindgren is one of five finalists for the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association's "Stopper of the Year Award," which honors the top relief pitcher in college baseball. He is also a semifinalist for the 2014 Gregg Olson Award-college baseball's breakout player of the year-and a finalist for the C Spire Ferriss Trophy, given annually to the top collegiate player in Mississippi.
"Jacob has two Major League pitches that are above average and possess swing-and-miss quality," said Damon Oppenheimer, Yankees Director of Amateur Scouting. "He has been extended for multiple innings and holds his stuff consistently."
A native of Bay St. Louis, Miss., Lindgren was rated by Baseball America as the 89th-best overall prospect in this year's draft, as well as the second-best prospect out of Mississippi. He was originally selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 12th round of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft out of St. Stanislaus High School, but chose to attend Mississippi State.
"Jacob has been very successful in a tough conference and has produced exceptional strikeout numbers," Oppenheimer said. "We are very happy to have selected him."
The selection of Lindgren marks the second consecutive year the Yankees have drafted a college player with their first pick, having selected 3B Eric Jagielo out of the University of Notre Dame with the 26th overall pick in 2013.
The Yankees will make their second selection of the 2014 First-Year Player Draft Friday afternoon in the third round (91st pick overall).