MLB Draft Note

The chances of C.J. Henry, Jacoby Ellsbury and Craig Hansen all turning into All-Stars are very slim. Just because each of them was a first round pick in yesterday's MLB Draft does not guarantee success on the big league level. But that doesn't mean that I can't take a shot at the Yankees right now for drafting Henry instead of either Ellsbury or Hansen (both drafted by the Red Sox). Entering the draft, the biggest needs for the Yankees were a center fielder and pitching. While one can't expect a draft pick to step right in and play for the major league club, a team with needs usually drafts to fill those holes. One thing was for certain, the Yankees did in no way need a shortstop. So of course they drafted Putnam City H.S. (OK) shortstop C.J. Henry with the 17th pick. Henry is considered a five tool prospect who has a scholarship to the University of Kansas to play basketball if things don't work out with New York. But with Derek Jeter (and Alex Rodriguez as insurance), the Yanks seem to be set at the position. Six picks later, the Red Sox -- who are considered by some to be a rival of the Yankees -- drafted speedy Oregon State center fielder Ellsbury. Three picks later, the Sox took St. John's closer -- and Long Island native -- Hansen. Ellsbury has been compared to a young Johnny Damon and Hansen is projected as being the player closest to reaching the big leagues. Passing over Ellsbury for Henry is reasonable. The Yankees scouting department considered Henry to be the better prospect. It's as simple as that. But Henry over Hansen? Hansen could help the Yankees now. Today's New York Post reported that the Yankees were scared away from Hansen because his agent is Scott Boras and Boras is known for demanding large signing bonuses for his clients. The rumor is that he will ask for between $2 and $2.5 million for Hansen. Are the Yankees all of a sudden afraid to throw some money at a highly rated prospect? I don't buy it. Especially when you consider that Henry will be able to use his Kansas scholarship to drive up his asking price. And if they truly wanted a shortstop, highly rated Cuban defector Yuriel Escobar would have been available to them in the second round. It seems like the Yankees swung and missed on Hansen (and maybe Ellsbury too). Maybe I'm wrong and C.J. Henry will one day be enshrined in Memorial Park and both Hansen and Ellsbury will be pumping gas and coaching Legion ball. But as of now, the Red Sox have once again gotten the better of the Yankees. (I could get used to this.)