Yankees’ playoff roster features a surge of homegrown talent

When the Yankees take the field for their inaugural postseason game, the roster will be heavily populated by recent draft selections rather than marquee free-agent signings. The squad features a pitcher drafted in the seventh round of 2022, a catcher taken in the first round of 2020, a shortstop from the 2023 first round, and a probable center-fielder from the 2022 first round. Additionally, a twelfth-round pick from 2021 will bat as the designated hitter, a 2013 first-round outfielder will man right field, and a 2019 first-round prospect could line up at second base. Apart from Aaron Judge, who still has five years left on his deal, only one player exceeds 27 years of age, underscoring the team’s youthful core.