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Let’s take a look at where the MLB Draft Class of 2016 is now

By Joshua Sadlock

TAMPA, FL - JUNE 03: Mickey Moniak (2) of the Threshers hits his first home run of the season during the Florida State League game between the Florida Fire Frogs and the Clearwater Threshers on June 03, 2018, at Spectrum Field in Clearwater, FL. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - JUNE 03: Mickey Moniak (2) of the Threshers hits his first home run of the season during the Florida State League game between the Florida Fire Frogs and the Clearwater Threshers on June 03, 2018, at Spectrum Field in Clearwater, FL. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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SCOTTSDALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 21: Chicago White Sox outfielder Blake Rutherford (90) poses for a portrait during the Chicago White Sox photo day on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019 at Camelback Ranch-Glendale in Phoenix, Ariz. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SCOTTSDALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 21: Chicago White Sox outfielder Blake Rutherford (90) poses for a portrait during the Chicago White Sox photo day on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019 at Camelback Ranch-Glendale in Phoenix, Ariz. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

18. New York Yankees: Blake Rutherford, OF, Chaminade College Prep (CA)

California prep outfielder Blake Rutherford dropped all the way to the Yankees at 18 over signability concerns. Such things are not typically a concern for baseball’s richest team, and they signed him for nearly $3.3 million, which set the franchise mark for richest bonus ever given to a hitter in the draft. Rutherford was a great value pick for the Yankees at 18, despite the high cost to sign him.

Rutherford delivered almost immediately for the Yankees, hitting .351/.415/.570 with three home runs and 12 RBI in 33 games at the Rookie level in 2016. He was bumped up to Single-A to start 2017 and hit .281/.342/.391 in 71 games in the Yankees system before being included in the package sent to the White Sox for David Robertson, Tommy Kahnle and Todd Frazier. All of those players played key roles for the Yankees in their 2017 playoff run.

As for Rutherford, his stock has leveled out and he is no longer putting up the strong power numbers needed to justify top-prospect status for a corner outfielder. He has a career line of .279/.335/.401 in 313 games in the minor leagues with 15 home runs and 145 RBI. Rutherford does make good contact and could begin tapping some power if he can lift the ball more frequently.

Rutherford still profiles as a future big leaguer, but not likely at the All-Star level. He has a well-rounded set of tools that will allow him to have an extended, if not unspectacular, MLB career.

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