The Yankees had been eyeing Billy McKinney for years. Before they acquired him from the Cubs in the Aroldis Chapman trade, McKinney was thought to be one of the best pure hitters in the 2013 MLB Draft, and he was projected to be selected in the first round, right around the Yankees’ 26th overall pick. The Athletics drafted him two spots ahead, and so Brian Cashman and company went with Eric Jagielo for their first pick that year.
I remember covering the draft, remember McKinney being a name tossed around for the Yankees in multiple mock drafts, and I remember being disappointed when he got away.