The New York Yankees drew some surprised reactions by taking prep shortstop Chris "Cito" Culver in the first round when the Northeast area scouts were telling ESPN MLB Insider Keith Law all spring he was a third-or fourth-rounder. The Yankees see Culver as a shortstop with a chance to hit for average and some power, and he has a plus arm, but there are mixed opinions on whether or not he's going to stay at short.
On the flip side, the Yankees had Culver on their Area Code Games team last summer, working out at Yankee Stadium and probably knew him as a player and as a person better than any other team could have.
Culver can play shortstop and pitch. The Yankees see him as a shortstop, though. This means he could one day replace Derek Jeter.
But that day likely won't be soon, because Culver -- who is from Rochester, N.Y. -- is only 17 years old.
He has reportedly already committed to the University of Maryland, but Yankee green could cause him to change his mind.
Here is what the Yankees had to say about him:
Culver, listed at 6 feet, 172 pounds, batted .561 (37-for-66) with 10 doubles, five triples, nine home runs, 38 RBI and 20 walks in 22 regular season games this past season as a high school senior, according to his school's Web site. He also had a .933 fielding percentage, committing just eight errors in 120 total chances, helping lead his school to the Monroe County Division title. Named his team's most valuable player in each of the last three seasons, Culver was also a three-time all-county selection and an Under Armour All-American.
But that day likely won't be soon, because Culver -- who is from Rochester, N.Y. -- is only 17 years old.
He has reportedly already committed to the University of Maryland, but Yankee green could cause him to change his mind.
Here is what the Yankees had to say about him:
Culver, listed at 6 feet, 172 pounds, batted .561 (37-for-66) with 10 doubles, five triples, nine home runs, 38 RBI and 20 walks in 22 regular season games this past season as a high school senior, according to his school's Web site. He also had a .933 fielding percentage, committing just eight errors in 120 total chances, helping lead his school to the Monroe County Division title. Named his team's most valuable player in each of the last three seasons, Culver was also a three-time all-county selection and an Under Armour All-American.
Baseball America rated the shortstop as the third-best prospect out of the state of New York. Under his high school bio page, Culver lists his favorite baseball team as the New York Yankees and one of his favorite baseball players as Derek Jeter.
"We were able to draft a very athletic kid who can play a good shortstop," said Damon Oppenheimer, Yankees Vice President of Amateur Scouting. "He has a plus arm, is a solid runner and is an excellent hitter. He's a player we are happy to have. It was an easy decision for us."
"We were able to draft a very athletic kid who can play a good shortstop," said Damon Oppenheimer, Yankees Vice President of Amateur Scouting. "He has a plus arm, is a solid runner and is an excellent hitter. He's a player we are happy to have. It was an easy decision for us."
Culver is just the second shortstop drafted by the Yankees (C.J. Henry in 2005) in the first round since the club selected Derek Jeter with the sixth overall pick in the 1992 First-Year Player Draft.
Culver's plus arm, totaled with his potential to hit for average with a little bit of power is an asset to any team if he can remain at shortstop. It will be very interesting to see his development if he signs with the Yankees.
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