Blake Rutherford - 37

BP - 50
DOB: 5/2/1997 Height/Weight: 6’3” 195 lbs.
Bats/Throws: L/R

The Good: Although he dropped some due to perceived bonus demands, Rutherford was arguably the best prep player in the draft. He has a pure, left-handed hitting stroke, and while there is only average power in his frame at present, he could easily add some strength and pop as he gets older, and the hit tool should allow whatever he ends up with to play in games. He’s an above-average runner at present, and while I’d expect him to lose a step as he ages and fills out, it’s an athletic frame and his speed should settle in at average.



The Bad: Rutherford is only passable in center field at present even with his footspeed and is likely to move to a corner by the time he steps foot on a major league diamond. He’s already 19, and there is some evidence that may limit his ceiling. The profile is more present polish than projection regardless, and while he should be a good regular, he lacks the upside of the names above him.

The Irrelevant: As you’d expect from a Southern California kid, Rutherford is a lifelong Yankees fan.

The Role: OFP 60—First-division outfielder Likely 50—Second-division outfielder

The Risks: He’s only played in rookie ball so far (though you can’t poo-poo the results). His season ended a little early with a hamstring issue, which is probably nothing. If he’s not a center fielder, there will be—say it with me—increased pressure on the bat.

Major League ETA: 2020

Ben Carsley’s Fantasy Take: Rutherford was probably a bit underrated as a dynasty asset headed into the draft. He’s several years away, but his hit tool and well-rounded offensive game mean you should buy in on the ground floor. There’s no star power here, but a future as an OF3 is very much in play. I continue to be a sucker for dynasty prospects with hit tools as their best assets

KLaw - 22
Age: 20 (5/2/97) | B/T: L/R Height: 6-3 | Weight: 195

Rutherford was a top five talent in the 2016 draft, but concerns about his age (he turned 19 a month before draft day), position (he’s going to be a corner outfielder) and signability dropped him to the Yankees’ pick at 18th overall, making him one of the biggest steals of the first round. Rutherford can flat-out hit, and he already has some power with a reasonable chance to be plus in the future. He spent most of his summer in the Appy League before an injury ended his season, hitting .382/.440/.618 in 100 plate appearances and posting the highest average and OBP of any teenager in the league.

Rutherford has a mature approach at the plate and a very clean swing, although he can roll over his front foot too often, which may make him vulnerable to lefties with better breaking stuff as he moves up the ladder. He’ll play center for now, but he’s not a major-league center fielder and I think he’ll ultimately end up in right. He’s so likely to hit that I have him stuffed on this list despite the positional concerns, and I think he’ll move quickly through the low minors so that draft-day concerns about his age disappear before this year is out.

MLB - 37

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 55 | Run: 50 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55

After entering 2016 as the top-rated prep position player in the Draft, Rutherford got passed by fellow California outfielder Mickey Moniak and slipped all the way to the Yankees at No. 18 overall amid concerns about his age (19 years, 1 month when he got picked) and signability. Signed for $3,282,000, a franchise record for a hitter, he immediately looked like a steal by batting .351/.415/.570 in Rookie ball. The only downside to his pro debut came when he strained a hamstring in August, but he returned in instructional league.

The most productive offensive player on the U.S. national 18-and-under team that included three other seven-figure bonus babies and won the 2015 World Cup in Japan, Rutherford is a rare talent who has the chance to hit for plus average and power. He has a smooth left-handed stroke with plenty of bat speed, recognizes pitches well, shows signs of patience and uses the entire field. While he currently employs a line-drive approach, he has big raw power and will tap into it once he adds some loft to his swing.

Rutherford entered pro ball as a solid runner and a center fielder, but he should slow down as he starts to fill out and most scouts believe he'll wind up on an outfield corner. Evaluators grade his arm anywhere from fringy to above average, and he could become the type of athletic left fielder needed at Yankee Stadium. He has drawn comparisons to a more athletic version of David Justice, part of New York's 2000 World Series championship club.