It has been a little over a decade since the Yankees selected Gerrit Cole in the first round of the 2008 MLB Draft. In the time between his decision not to sign and finally donning pinstripes, the Yankees have held 15 first round selections, including compensatory and competitive-balance picks. How have those picks panned out for the Bombers?
The good news is that arguably the best overall player on the Yankees roster was taken with one of those picks. Aaron Judge was selected 32nd overall in 2013 as compensation for Nick Swisher signing with the Indians after declining the Yankees’ qualifying offer.