Day 2 of the MLB Draft for the Yankees included a pick that’ll make you do a double-take: Austin Berggren, a college reliever from Miami (Ohio) taken in the 12th round, once sported an ERA north of 10 in 32.1 innings back in 2025. Yeah, you read that right. It’s been a pitcher-heavy class for New York, including Luke Pettitte, son of five-time World Series champ Andy, but this 12th rounder brings a whole new level of "what are they thinking?!" to the table.
Yankees Double Down On Infield Versatility
Before the Yankees got to that head-scratcher of a reliever, they kicked off their post-break picks with Anthony Potestio, a shortstop out of UC San Diego, nabbed in the 11th round at pick 338. This dude is a three-year starter from the Big West Conference, measuring in at 5’11” and 195 lbs. This past season, Potestio made the All-Conference team, slashing .298/.431/.436 with four homers in 49 games. What’s cool about him is the defensive versatility: while he’s primarily played shortstop since his freshman year, he also spent time at left field, second, and third base early on. He even served as the Tritons' leadoff hitter. Baseball America describes him as a selective, patient hitter, tough to strike out, with solid contact skills. Don't expect a ton of power, as he’s never hit more than five homers in a season, but that defensive flexibility is huge for replenishing the Yankees’ athletic infield supply. It also made back-to-back shortstop selections for them, which tells you they’re serious about stocking up.The High-Stakes Reliever Bet
Then came Berggren in the 12th round at pick 368, and this pick is wild. He's a 6’3”, 225 lbs college reliever who had a significant step up this year as Miami (Ohio)'s closer. He appeared in 25 games, tossing 44.1 innings with a 3.65 ERA, 61 strikeouts, and only 13 walks. That’s solid, right? Here’s the kicker: in his debut 2025 season with Miami, his ERA was north of 10 in 32.1 innings, with four starts out of 20 appearances. Talk about a Jekyll and Hyde stat line! Before that, he spent a year in JuCO at Johnson County CC and started his collegiate career with Nebraska in 2023, though he only pitched 3.1 innings there. The Yankees are clearly banking on his 2026 performance, hoping that 10+ ERA year was just a blip. It's a high-risk, potentially high-reward grab for a team that's also shown love to other pitchers and two catchers earlier in the draft. These new draftees are headed to the lower minor leagues, and it's going to be fascinating to watch if these risks and strategic picks, especially with Berggren’s roller-coaster past, pay off for the Yankees down the line. Will they find a diamond in the rough or a costly gamble? We’ll find out as these guys start their pro careers.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.