In the 2024 MLB draft held on Sunday evening, the New York Yankees strategically picked University of Alabama pitcher Ben Hess as their 26th overall selection. Known for their savvy drafting, the Yankees have added yet another promising player to their roster.
Ben Hess, a 21-year-old right-handed pitcher, displays considerable potential that the Yankees are eager to nurture. Standing at 6’5″ and weighing 255 pounds, Hess brings a formidable physical presence to the pitcher’s mound. Last season, he pitched 68.1 innings and recorded an impressive 106 strikeouts, though he also revealed areas needing improvement, such as a high ERA of 5.80. His performance included conceding 44 earned runs and 13 home runs, highlighting the need for enhanced control and accuracy.
Damon Oppenheimer, the Yankees’ VP of domestic amateur scouting, remarked, “Ben checks off a lot of boxes for us. He fits our criteria for a potential top-tier Major League starter. Specifically, he’s a big, power right-hander with multiple breaking pitches and can hit speeds up to 97 mph. We believe Ben has even more potential to unlock through our player development program.”
The Yankees have a history of successful picks from Vanderbilt, with the notable selection of Spencer Jones, a standout outfield prospect currently advancing through Double-A Somerset. In this year’s draft, the Yankees continued to invest in Vanderbilt talent, selecting Bryce Cunningham with the 53rd overall pick. Cunningham, having competed in the highly competitive SEC, brings valuable experience that the Yankees are optimistic will translate into success at the professional level.
“We’re excited about Bryce because he has the potential to be a top-notch starter and has proven himself in the SEC,” said Oppenheimer. “He’s a skilled pitcher, a power right-hander with a blazing fastball reaching up to 99 mph, a solid changeup, and an improving slider. Bryce has shown continuous improvement, excelling independently, performing well in the Cape Cod Baseball League, and benefiting from his time at Vanderbilt.”
