Two international players were taken in the final three rounds of the 2024 MLB draft. Here’s an inside look at what the Yankees and Reds are getting in their farm system.
Tyler Wilson, an outfielder born in Taiwan, was selected by the New York Yankees in the 8th round with the 241st pick of the MLB Draft.
Wilson was born in Taiwan but moved to the United States and played for Hamilton High School in Arizona and Grand Canyon University from 2021 to 24.
Wilson had a great college career for Grand Canyon, with a batting average above .300 each season. Even in his first year, he collected 38 hits in 45 games. His sophomore and junior seasons were outstanding, with a .321 batting average with six home runs in 2022 and a .303 batting average with five home runs in 2023.
But Wilson’s best season at Grand Canyon was in 2024, where he had a .378 batting average, hitting 17 home runs, and had a 1.132 OPS in 58 games. He also played in the MLB Draft League 2023 for the State College Spikes, with a .209 batting average and a .560 OPS in 23 games.
Wilson’s baseball talent runs in the family. He is the son of former major league pitcher Steve Wilson, a name that resonates with older baseball fans.
The Cincinnati Reds selected the final international player of day two of the MLB Draft in the tenth round. The Reds selected Yanuel Casiano from Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico, with the 299th pick. Casiano, 17, is a catcher/first baseman who bats and throws with his right hand.
Casiano attends Albergue Olímpico Baseball Academy and is committed to University of Central Florida. At the Perfect Game National Showcase in 2023 he showed off his speed and arm strength as a catcher. He ran a 7.16 60 yard dash and impressed with an arm strength throwing at 81 mph. During batting practice Casiano flashed his power upside clocking an exit velocity of 91 mph.
The Reds took their second international-born prospect of the draft after taking pitcher Chase Burns from Wake Forest, who was born in Italy. This pick provides a high upside for Cincinnati in the tenth round. They look to continue to target international-born players, as Dominican Republic-born Elly De La Cruz has risen to stardom for the Reds over the last two years.
With the #299 overall pick, the Cincinnati Reds select, Yanuel Casiano a HS Catcher from Puerto Rico.
-That’s a nice pickup. UCF commit. Just 17 years old at time of draft.
-Good build. Obviously a lot of growth left but I like his actions behind the plate and with his swing.…— Bryce Spalding (@bryce_spalding) July 15, 2024
Day two of the Draft has concluded. The third day begins tomorrow at 2 pm EST and covers rounds 11-20. Fans can watch the coverage on MLB.com.
Catch up on the international players picked in rounds 3, 5 and 6
Photo Credit: A general view of the stage before the Rockies selection is announced during the 2024 MLB Draft presented by Nike at Cowtown Coliseum on Sunday, July 14, 2024 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
