When the Yankees went on a pitcher spree in last year’s draft, an emergence like Trevor Stephan’s is what they had in mind.
In an era of finicky and fragile arms, the Yankees turned their 2017 draft into a series of lottery tickets, stockpiling depth by selecting 10 pitchers in the first 11 rounds. Red flags abound with every young pitcher, underscored by their first-round selection, Clarke Schmidt, whom they picked at No. 16 knowing he had just had Tommy John surgery.
The more lottery tickets, the better the chances that a prospect sails through the system.