Baseball America | Blog | Baseball America Draft Blog | Yankees End First Round With Stunner, Cito Culver

Once again, this wasn't a consensus first-rounder. Need more proof? Cito Culver ranked No. 168 on our board, but Culver had athleticism, plus tools to play shortstop and good infield actions, and the Yankees popped him at No. 32.

The Yankees usually go for shortstops and middle-of-the-diamond players internationally, but they have hit the catcher spot hard in the draft and have drafted plenty of middle infielders in recent years, such as David Adams, Corban Joseph and Carmen Angelini. The first two picks could still work out, but Angelini got $1 million as a 10th-round pick in 2007 and has yet to stick in full-season ball.

From Aaron Fitt's draft report:

"The game comes easily to Culver, whose actions, instincts and range are all plus at times, though he has a long way to go to become a consistent defender, and some believe he profiles as a utility player down the road. The 6-foot-2, 175-pound Culver is a solid-average runner and a switch-hitter with a loose, whippy swing from both sides of the plate."

Cito Culver was a bit of a shocker for the baseball world. But Culver has some what good instincts to play shortstop and some very good infield skills. Who knows, maybe he will be one of those people who become great out of the clear blue. Anything can happen, you never know.

Posted by Billy Smith | June 7, 2010 at 9:53 pm | Shortcut

[...] there’s this from Baseball America: “The game comes easily to Culver, whose actions, instincts and range are all plus at times, [...]

Posted by Yanks select Cito Culver in the first round | The iYankees Blog – A New York Yankees Blog | June 7, 2010 at 9:58 pm | Shortcut

I cannot understand how Brian Cashman operates…or how he ended up where he is!
Forget the Damon debacle, where he spent MORE than the 6.5 million Damon took from Detroit to sign Nick "DL" Johnson, Randy Whiff (since released) and Marcus "I can't play the outfield" Thames. Forget the Carl Pavano, Kevin Brown, Randy Johnson, etc., etc, "experiments" or allowing Andy Pettitte to walk away to Houston for three years. What I want to know is how the Yankees' system ranks #22 in baseball, given their resources.
I suppose tonight is a perfect example. Pass on Ranaudo. Pass on Allie. Pass on Castellanos. Select the #168 rated player at #32.
Would someone PLEASE shine on flashlight on Brian Cashman?! I'm willing to bet there are 25 or more GM's who could win a World Series with a $200 million payroll. I'm willing to bet those same GM's would have the Yankees' system ranked in the Top 10 in baseball too!

Posted by Jim K | June 7, 2010 at 10:09 pm | Shortcut

[...] John Manuel of Baseball America had this to say about the pick: [...]

Posted by A Yankees Blog: Yankees Make SS Cito Culver … | June 8, 2010 at 12:22 am | Shortcut

Jim, you need to relax. You're the type that gives Yankee fans a bad name. Also, check some of your facts. Most of the experiments you listed were not Cashman moves. Damon(Boras) did himself in with the negotiations.
Are you ever happy? We won the World Series last year.

Posted by saucY | June 8, 2010 at 8:20 am | Shortcut

We all know "anything can happen." It's not that Culver doesn't have "instincts." It's that he was taken about 100 selections too early (136 selections before his approximate ranking). It was ridiculous to reach for him at that point, especially when the knock, according to MLB Network's John Hart, on Culver was that he "doesn't give 100% all the time."
If Cashman really wants Culver, that's fine. Take Culver another round or two later, so that he could take a player rated much, much more highly at #32. It's as if Al Davis is running the Yankees! You don't take 3rd, 4th or 5th rounders in the 1st round. You just don't get any value even if Culver becomes an All Star, as you could have STILL had Culver later on.

Posted by Jim K | June 8, 2010 at 10:01 am | Shortcut

That is a great draft pick by the Bronx Bombers by drafting a young baseball with such athletic abilitiy. I think that he can reach the majors in a couple of years to replace Jeter in 5 years to come fro come and he has a bright future ahead of him!

Posted by adam | June 8, 2010 at 10:06 am | Shortcut

Culver will be one of those "wait and see" how he develops players. Jeter isn't going to stay at short forever peeps!! This young man has plus running speed, a very quick bat, ala, Derek Jeter and similar arm strength at the same age, only 17!!!! Also instate to boot! I like the selection after seeing him play 3 times in the past 2 years.

Posted by Bill | June 8, 2010 at 11:01 am | Shortcut

again,
want culver fine……..in a couple rounds he would still be there!!

Posted by bcj | June 8, 2010 at 11:55 am | Shortcut

I go to Chris' high school, and he is a great athlete. Even I admit this is early, but he is still phenomenal at baseball, and I am psyched that this just happened. He was a great leader for us on the field and a good kid too.

Posted by burlyman | June 8, 2010 at 4:21 pm | Shortcut

[...] Baseball America is where the pick was referred to as a “stunner.” ESPN’s Keith Law likes the pick, even though he called it “one of the biggest surprises of the first round.” [...]

Posted by YankeesVine » Blog Archive » Culver Controversial No. 1 Draft Choice For Yankees | June 9, 2010 at 11:03 am | Shortcut

you never know what this kid will become. We can always just buy a shortstop if cito doesn't work out. i have seen this kid play he lives right down the street, he will replace derek jeter

Posted by matt | June 9, 2010 at 1:11 pm | Shortcut

It seems like too many miss the point. There's no way any team takes Culver before the third round….if then. You simply don't take him at #32 and pass on big time arms like Ranaudo and Allie. Culver would have been there, worst case, in Rd 2. Please.

Posted by Jim K | June 9, 2010 at 5:32 pm | Shortcut

[...] 168, meaning they projected him to go somewhere between the fourth and sixth rounds. In BA’s draft report on Culver, Aaron Fitt wrote a line that no one wants to hear about a first round pick: [...]

Posted by The wonder and excitement of new Yankees | River Avenue Blues | June 10, 2010 at 8:31 am | Shortcut

Oppenheimer is so full of it. He claims, "Another GM said he'd have taken Culver in Rd. 2." What a crock! That "other" GM was Cashman! It's sickening to see phony comments trying to defend his selection.
I don't care that he took Culver, as the kid might become a heck of a player. I care that he took Culver well before he needed to.
I'm trying to see the good in the last 3 or 4 Yankees drafts. I'm really trying. It seems the Red Sox and Rays outclass the Yankees at every turn. Let's hope Brackman shows he can pitch above Hi A for all the millions!

Posted by Jim K | June 17, 2010 at 7:22 am | Shortcut