The 2026 MLB Draft saw the New York Yankees add a promising arm to their farm system, selecting left‑handed pitcher Hunter Dietz with the 35th overall pick.
Dietz, a 6‑foot‑6 Florida native who starred for the Arkansas Razorbacks, combines size with a left‑handed delivery that catches scouts’ attention.
Dominant college performance
In his redshirt sophomore season he went 7‑4 with a 3.57 ERA and fanned 131 batters, leading the SEC in strikeouts and earning First Team All‑SEC and Second Team All‑American honors.
Pitch mix and mechanics
His delivery is repeatable, his fastball regularly hits the upper 90s, and he complements it with a mid‑80s slider, an upper‑80s cutter and a developing changeup, forming a five‑pitch arsenal.
Analysts note that improving the changeup and maintaining health will be crucial for him to live up to his projected slot value of $2.83 million.