Cito

Culver

The slick-fielding shortstop was the Bombers’ first round selection in the 2010 draft (32nd overall). He split his 2016 season between Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre where he hit .254/.315/.349 with four homers, 51 RBI and two stolen bases. Given the club’s depth in the middle infield, it’s unlikely that he cracks the big leagues in 2017.

Culver was a highly-criticized first round pick back in 2010, and has struggled to justify his lofty draft status, hitting just .238/.319/.325 for his professional career. He is hitting .237/.298/.311 with 11 doubles, one triple, and one home run for the season. He has 63 strikeouts in 243 plate appearances, and has struck out in 22.1% of his plate appearances for his career.

Culver, who was selected No. 32 overall, reportedly received a signing bonus of $940,000. The 17-year-old wasn’t projected as a first-round pick by many scouts, and thus, was not expected to be a difficult sign. He recently passed on a scholarship from the University of Maryland. Culver will be assigned to the team’s rookie league affiliate in the Gulf Coast League.

The last time the Yankees took a high school shortstop in the first round was 2005, and C.J. Henry proved to be a complete bust. Of course, the one before that worked out better. Culver wasn’t a first-round pick in the eyes of most, but he has the range to stay at shortstop and he’s a switch-hitter. He’ll be quite a project.

Culver batted just .232/.282/.398 in 389 plate appearances last season with the Triple-A affiliate of the Yankees. He was the No. 32 overall pick in the 2010 MLB Draft, but the 25-year-old infielder is a non-prospect at this point.