The New York Yankees are poised to make waves in the 2025 MLB Draft, and the buzz is electric. With their first-round pick pushed to the 39th overall slot in Competitive Balance Round A due to Competitive Balance Tax penalties, the Yankees are eyeing a game-changer to join forces with their superstar outfielder, Aaron Judge. The target? Arizona State’s Brandon Compton, a 21-year-old slugger whose jaw-dropping power display at the MLB Draft Combine has scouts buzzing and fans dreaming of a new Bronx Bomber era.
Held from June 17-21 at Chase Field in Phoenix, the MLB Draft Combine was Compton’s stage to shine. The 225-pound left-handed outfielder didn’t just turn heads—he obliterated expectations. Compton smashed the Combine’s exit velocity record, launching balls at a scorching 116.9 mph, the highest mark since tracking began in 2021. He didn’t stop there, racking up five of the top seven exit velocities in Combine history, including 116.6 and 116.4 mph screamers.
His raw power left fellow prospects in awe. “That dude is yoked,” said high school outfielder Anthony Pack, marveling at Compton’s display. With four balls soaring over 400 feet—including a monstrous 441-foot homer—Compton’s performance was a wake-up call to every MLB scout in attendance. Baseball America’s Carlos Collazo described him as a “broad-shouldered lefthanded hitter with plenty of strength, obvious bat speed, and an uphill path that’s geared to launch balls in the air.” The data backed up the spectacle, painting Compton as a potential cornerstone for any team craving a power bat.
Compton’s Combine heroics were no fluke. As a freshman at Arizona State in 2024, he dominated the Pac-12, earning Freshman of the Year honors. His stat line was a pitcher’s nightmare: 14 home runs, 16 doubles, 51 RBIs, a .354 batting average, a .661 slugging percentage, a .427 on-base percentage, and a 1.088 OPS. Those numbers led all Pac-12 freshmen and announced Compton as a force to be reckoned with.
Though his sophomore season saw a slight dip, Compton still posted a respectable .271/.379/.486 slash line with nine home runs and 54 RBIs. His performance in the prestigious Cape Cod League, where he thrived with a wood bat, further solidified his draft stock. Prospects Live noted that Compton’s “lift and pull approach” could make him a terror in pro ball, especially for a team like the Yankees, who know a thing or two about developing power-hitting outfielders.
The Aaron Judge Connection
The Yankees have had mixed results with supplemental first-round picks in recent years. Names like T.J. Sikkema (2019), Kyle Holder (2015), and Ian Clarkin (2013) haven’t exactly lit up the Bronx. But one supplemental pick stands out: Aaron Judge, selected in 2013. Now a household name and the face of the franchise, Judge’s towering presence in the outfield is a reminder of what the Yankees can do when they hit the mark with a supplemental selection.
Could Compton be the next big thing? Baseball America’s latest mock draft projects the Yankees to snag the Arizona State star at pick 39, adding a power bat to complement Judge’s prodigious slugging. The thought of Compton’s 116.9 mph missiles paired with Judge’s moonshot homers has Yankees fans salivating. Together, they could form a devastating duo, launching balls into the Yankee Stadium bleachers and terrorizing pitchers across the league.
Compton’s profile screams “Yankees.” His raw power, disciplined approach at the plate, and ability to drive balls to all fields make him a perfect fit for a lineup built around thunderous bats. Prospects Live highlighted his Cape Cod League success, suggesting that a wood bat might unlock his full potential—a tantalizing prospect for a team playing in a ballpark tailored for sluggers.
At 21, Compton is young enough to develop alongside New York’s rising stars but polished enough to make an impact sooner rather than later. His Combine performance vaulted him from a No. 42 ranking by Baseball America to a likely Competitive Balance Round or second-round lock. If he’s available at 39, the Yankees would be hard-pressed to pass on a player with such a rare blend of strength, bat speed, and upside.
As the 2025 MLB Draft kicks off this Sunday and Monday in Atlanta, all eyes will be on the Yankees’ move at No. 39. Brandon Compton’s name is rising fast, and for good reason. His record-breaking Combine performance, collegiate accolades, and raw power make him a dream pick for a franchise looking to bolster its outfield and build around Aaron Judge.
If the Yankees turn in Compton’s card, it could mark the start of a new power dynasty in the Bronx. Imagine Judge and Compton, back-to-back in the lineup, launching towering homers and rewriting record books. The MLB Draft Combine was just the beginning—New York could be where Compton’s legend takes flight.