Yankees Select Contact Hitter Dax Kilby with 39th Pick in 2025 MLB Draft

The Yankees selected Dax Kilby, a 6'2″ shortstop from Newnan High School (Georgia), a left-handed hitter committed to Clemson, with the 39th overall pick in the first round of the 2025 MLB draft.

Although Dax is a SS for the moment, Baseball America believes that long-term, he will move to either second base or third base, especially with the Yankees' top prospect, George Lombard Jr., on the horizon. 

Dax is mainly known for his pure contact ability, but scouts believe that adding a little more size will help develop his power. The pick comes with a $2,509,500 slot value. The Yankees have the smallest bonus pool in MLB at $5,383,600. 

The Yankees won’t be back on the clock until the third round, holding the 103rd pick, after forfeiting its second-round selection as a penalty for signing Max Fried — who had received a qualifying offer from the Atlanta Braves — in free agency. The Yankees originally had the 29th pick in the draft, but it was moved back 10 spots because of luxury tax penalties.

Dax, 19, was ranked by The Athletic’s Keith Law as the No. 55 prospect in this year’s draft class.

“Kilby has one of the simplest and quietest approaches in the draft, college or high school, with a swing that’s short and direct and gets the bat to the ball consistently,” Law said. “He showed excellent contact skills and a low chase rate at tracked events last summer, swinging at just 9 percent of pitches beyond the shadow of the zone, with 40 power now but a chance to get to average as he fills out and perhaps with a little fine-tuning in the box. He’s a fringe-average runner who’s not going to stick at shortstop, ending up at second or third instead. He’s committed to Clemson.”

In 2024, the Yankees selected right-handed pitcher Ben Hess out of Alabama in the first round. Hess, 22, has started 12 games this season for High-A Hudson Valley, where he’s pitched to a 4.08 ERA. Hess has struggled with his command, issuing more than five walks per nine innings pitched, but he has also recorded 80 strikeouts in 53 innings.

Though Kilby has plus straight-line speed, he plays as more of an average to solid runner. Bothered by shoulder issues early in his high school career, he has a funky arm action and can't make all the throws necessary from shortstop. He'll get a look at second base and also could wind up in left field, though he still may provide enough offense to profile at the less challenging position.

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 55 | Arm: 50 l Field: 45 | Overall: 50