Yankees MLB Draft 2019: Yankees select OF Jake Sanford from Western Kentucky University with the 105th pick

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The New York Yankees started off the second day of the MLB draft by selecting a college outfielder by the name of Jake Sanford out of Western Kentucky University. Sanford stands at 6’2” and weighs 215 pounds. He throws right-handed, but hits left-handed.

Photo Credit: WKU Sports


Sanford, 21, is of Nova Scotia and is the highest picked Nova Scotia native in MLB history. Sanford began as a walk-on at McCook Coummunity College in Nebraska. After playing there for two years, he then signed with Western Kentucky last April, where he played in 2019. To say he hit well is an understatement.

Sanford was the first Conference USA Triple Crown winner and earned several awards for his outstanding play. He is a Dick Howser Trophy semifinalist and won back-to-back Conference USA hitter of the week awards. He started and played in 56 games in the outfield and had an incredible .398 batting average with 22 home runs and 66 runs batted in. His .805 slugging percentage was the highest among all Division 1 baseball players, his 22 home runs were sixth, and his 178 total bases were second. He walked 33 times and struck out 50 times.

Sanford only had a volleyball offer coming out of high school, so to see this rapid progression to stardom is a very encouraging sign for the Yankees. Scouts love his raw power and speed, but are worried about his defense. This leads scouts to believe that he may transition to a corner outfield spot or become a first baseman. If Sanford’s offense continues to progress as it has throughout his college play, then the Yankees could have a steal of a third-round pick.

Article by: Ryan Thoms

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