Yankees Draft: 2026 Rounds 11-15 pick analysis

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 11: A general view of giveaway shirts on fan seats prior to the 2026 MLB Draft presented by Nippon Express at Pennsylvania Convention Center on Saturday, July 11, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Day 2 of the MLB Draft is a loaded one, as we’ve got 16 picks to get through over the course of the day. Jake guided us through the first six that have come in taking us through the 10th round, and now I’ll be taking over to recap what the Yankees do with their next five selections. It’s been a pitcher-led class for New York thus far, with their first two selections on Day 1 both going towards left-handed starters and three pitchers coming today including Luke Pettitte, son of the five-time World Series winner Andy. Catching has also seen some love as the team has selected two thus far, with Brendan Brock coming in the third round and Bear Harrison getting chosen in the fifth.

Where they go from here will be anyone’s guess, but you can catch updates as the picks are made and then check back here for more commentary as we look into the newest names that’ll be gracing the lower minor leagues before you know it.

Round 11, Pick 338: Anthony Potestio, SS, UC San Diego, 5’11”, 195 lbs.

The Yankees’ first pick back from the break is a shortstop from the Big West Conference. Potestio was a three-year starter out at UC San Diego and made the All-Conference team this past season after posting a .298/.431/.436 triple slash with four homers in 49 games. Potestio saw some time around multiple positions in his freshman year, including left field, second and third base, but has primarily played shortstop ever since and served as the Tritons’ leadoff hitter. Among other notes, Baseball America said the following about him:

Potestio is a selective, patient hitter who works the count and is difficult to strike out because of his swing decisions and solid contact skills. He doesn’t project for much power and never hit more than five home runs in a season, but does offer defense versatility.

That makes back-to-back shortstop selections for New York, who has also gotten a couple of third baseman as they look to replenish their athletic infield supply.

Potestio with back-to-back HOMERUNS for the Tritons

101 mph
362 ft

https://t.co/LpsCTO5rsf
https://t.co/GqiCrgBwFC#GoTritonspic.twitter.com/4AAoyYmpHp

— UC San Diego Baseball (@UCSDbsb) May 16, 2026

Round 12, Pick 368: Austin Berggren, P, Miami (OH), 6’3”, 225 lbs.

The Yankees go for a college reliever in the 12th round, selecting Berggren out of Miami (Ohio). Berggren appeared in 25 games for the RedHawks this year as the team’s closer, tossing 44.1 innings with a 3.65 ERA to his name with 61 strikeouts against 13 works. It was a significant step up from Berggren’s debut season with Miami in 2025 when he ran an ERA north of 10 in 32.1 innings, getting four starts out of his 20 games played. Prior to that Berggren spent a year in JuCO pitching for Johnson County CC, and initially started his collegiate career with Nebraska in 2023, though he only pitched in 3.1 innings for the Cornhuskers.

Berggren’s got an interesting mix of pitches for a reliever, going with a three-pitch arsenal of a low-mid 90s heater, an 88-90 mph cutter, and a curveball that registers in the mid 80s as well. Baseball America noted in a writeup on Berggren earlier this year that he’s got hefty spin on all of his pitches and “it’s that outlier feel for spin that makes Berggren an outstanding name.”

Round 13, Pick 398: Lee Garris, OF, Maury HS (VA), 6’0”, 200 lbs.

The Yankees go back to prep school for their second outfielder of the draft. Garris is a left-handed hitting 18-year-old who earned first-team all-state honors in Virginia and is committed to James Madison University, so we’ll have to see if the Yankees can convince him to sign. Notably on that front, ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel did rank him in his top 250 prospects at No. 235, and mentioned that he threw out any prospect that he thought were impossible to sign, so there’s room to negotiate here. Garris went through a rough patch at the start of his senior season that left him with some major doubts about his future with the game, as he struggled mentally to deal with the pressure. Fortunately, there was a local with a little bit of pro experience around to talk to him: former All-Star Michael Cuddyer, who gave him a pep talk and encouraged him to simplify his approach helping Garris find his form again.

A back issue was set to keep JMU-bound Lee Garris out of the line-up for Maury, but he worked his way in as a sub and clubbed a game-winning opposite field solo home run to lead to the Commodores to an 8-7 win over Granby in the Region 4A title game.@WTKR3pic.twitter.com/uu3k6siKWn

— Marc Davis (@marcdavissports) June 6, 2026

Round 14, Pick 428: Diego Castellanos, OF, Saint Mary’s (CA), 6’0”, 190 lbs.

Going back to the college ranks, the Yankees pick up another outfielder in Castellanos that has some gap power in his swing. Castellanos hit .382/.458/.554 with six home runs and 21 doubles scoring 61 runs in 62 games for the Gaels in his junior season, earning All-Conference first team as well as All-Tournament honors as Saint Mary’s made it to the NCAA Regionals. He set a program record with a 39-game hitting streak running into postseason play. Baseball America’s read on him is as follows:

Castellanos has a high handset and a hitch in his load, but he does a tremendous job putting the barrel on the baseball. He had standout overall contact (88.2%) and in-zone contact (92.1%) rates as a junior in 2026, and while most of his power is of the doubles variety, scouts think he has some sneaky power in the tank as well. Finding a way to tap into more power could be key for Castellanos because, while he can run a bit, he’s more likely a corner outfielder than a true center fielder.

Castellanos entered the transfer portal at the end of this season and visited Tennessee last month, but as of right now it doesn’t look like he’s committed to a new school. That might mean it’s a perfect time for him to commit to going pro instead.

Round 15, Pick 458: William Cutshall, SS, Seneca HS (SC), 6’2”, 190 lbs.

Another shortstop rounds out this batch of draft picks, as the Yankees go for Cutshall with the 458th pick. Cutshall was born in Panama and played for the country in the U-18 World Baseball Cup that was held in Japan last year. Cutshall also participated in Perfect Game’s Class of 2026 Tourney back in 2024 and earned rave reviews following a year where he hit .577 and drove in 53 runs in 43 games. Baseball America had Cutshall listed in their Top 500 High School list, where they noted:

Cutshall has a handsy swing with good bat-to-ball skills. He mostly showed gap power on the travel circuit, though he has shown more home run juice for his high school team.

Cutshall is committed to Ole Miss, and might be a more difficult signing for the Yankees to make than the ones they’ve drafted up to this point, but he’d be a talented addition if they can convince him.

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