Baseball America reported today that the Yankees have signed ninth-round pick Taylor Morton.
A 6-foot-3, 200-pound high school right-hander from Bartlett, Tenn., Morton was the fifth-ranked prospect in Tennessee entering the draft by BA, ranking outside of the publication’s top 200 prospects nationwide.
Morton reportedly signed with a $450,000 bonus. The maximum bonus recommended by MLB for picks after the fifth round is $150,000.
With Morton off the board, combined with the signing of second round pick Angelo Gumbs last night, leaves the Yankees with two of their top 10 picks unsigned, both high school outfielders from Florida: Mason Williams (fourth round) and Ben Gamel (10th round).
Here is BA’s capsule on Morton from their pre-draft scouting reports:
Morton, a Tennessee signee, pushed Ray as the state’s top prep prospect, pitching at 92-93 mph during an up-and-down spring. He attracted plenty of scouting attention last summer, touching 94-95 mph at times, but reports of similar velocity this spring were scarce, and his velocity was all over the board. Morton has good size at 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, and he has shown aptitude with his changeup, including striking out Bryce Harper last summer during USA Baseball’s Tournament of Stars with three straight changes. His curve needs more power, which could come with experience. Morton has been a catcher as a prep as well but profiles best as a pitcher.


