Yankees Select Four Players on Day 1 of 2026 MLB Draft, Led by Hunter Dietz
The New York Yankees kicked off the 2026 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft by selecting four highly regarded prospects, highlighted by University of Arkansas left-hander Hunter Dietz with the 35th overall pick.
The Yankees also added Canadian pitching prospect Sean Duncan in the second round, versatile Oklahoma standout Brendan Brock in the third round, and Cal State Fullerton outfielder Paul Gutierrez-Contreras II in the fourth round.
Yankees Add Power Lefty Hunter Dietz
New York used its first-round selection on one of college baseball’s premier power pitchers.
Dietz, a 6-foot-6, 235-pound left-hander, earned First Team All-SEC honors after posting a 7-4 record with a 3.57 ERA while striking out 131 batters over 85.2 innings for Arkansas. His strikeout total ranked third in the SEC and tied for the fourth-highest single-season mark in Razorbacks history.
The Trinity, Florida, native capped his collegiate career with a dominant NCAA Regional performance, striking out a career-high 14 batters against Kansas before earning All-Tournament honors.
Following the season, Dietz was recognized as a Second Team All-American by D1Baseball and a Third Team All-American by Baseball America, the ABCA/Rawlings, and the NCBWA.
“Hunter is right up our alley,” Yankees Vice President of Domestic Amateur Scouting Damon Oppenheimer said. “He has a big, left-handed arm with a deluxe fastball and a breaking ball that can be a wipeout pitch. We think he has a chance to have power stuff from the left side with swing-and-miss potential.”
Dietz entered the draft ranked No. 17 overall by MLB Pipeline and No. 34 by Baseball America.
Yankees Land Top Canadian Prospect Sean Duncan
New York continued adding left-handed pitching by selecting 18-year-old Sean Duncan with the 63rd overall pick.
The Terry Fox Secondary School standout was widely considered the top Canadian prospect in this year’s draft and has already gained valuable experience pitching for Canada’s Junior National Team against professional competition.
“We love Sean. We think he has a huge ceiling,” Oppenheimer said. “He throws strikes and is ultra-competitive with a bit of a Cole Hamels feel to us.”
Duncan’s fastball has reached 97 mph, complemented by a plus changeup and an improving breaking ball.
The Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, native also showcased his talent at the 2025 Under Armour Next All-America Game at Camden Yards.
Versatile Brendan Brock Adds Athleticism
The Yankees addressed versatility with the selection of Brendan Brock from the University of Oklahoma.
Able to play both catcher and outfield, Brock helped lead the Sooners to the 2026 national championship while batting .302 with 13 home runs, 55 RBIs, and 28 stolen bases.
He elevated his game during Oklahoma’s postseason run, hitting .457 during the NCAA Tournament and .400 during the College World Series.
“Brendan is really athletic with big tools,” Oppenheimer said. “He has power, speed and is a good defender wherever you play him.”
Brock previously spent three seasons at Southwestern Illinois Community College before transferring to Oklahoma after being drafted by Milwaukee in 2025 but electing not to sign.
Yankees Add Power Bat in Paul Gutierrez-Contreras II
New York rounded out Day 1 by selecting Cal State Fullerton outfielder Paul Gutierrez-Contreras II.
The 6-foot-3 slugger hit .346 with 14 home runs and earned First Team All-Big West honors while also being named the conference’s Co-Player of the Year.
Over two seasons with the Titans, Gutierrez-Contreras compiled a .308 batting average with 20 home runs.
“Paul is a big guy with athleticism and he can play all three outfield positions,” Oppenheimer said. “He has serious right-handed power and his bat-to-ball skills are really good.”
Yankees Focus on Upside
The Yankees’ first four selections emphasized high-ceiling talent, particularly on the mound.
By drafting Dietz and Duncan, the organization added two of the top left-handed pitching prospects available, while Brock and Gutierrez-Contreras provide athleticism, defensive versatility, and offensive upside to the farm system.
The 2026 MLB Draft concludes Sunday with rounds five through 20, as New York continues building one of baseball’s deepest prospect pipelines.
Source: NY Yankees
Photo courtesy of the NY Yankees
