Yankees select San Diego shortstop Kyle Holder with 30th pick overall

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The New York Yankees selected San Diego junior Kyle Holder, considered the best defensive college shortstop by ESPN's Keith Law, with the 30th pick in the 2015 MLB Draft.

The 21-year-old was compensation for reliever David Robertson, who declined the Yankees' $15.3-million qualifying offer to sign with the Chicago White Sox last winter.

Holder's the second college player taken in the first round by the Yankees, who secured UCLA right-hander James Kaprielian with the 16th pick overall.

The defensive-minded junior was named 2015 West Coast Conference Player of the Year, the third straight year a Toreros player has been honored. Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant received the honor back in 2013. Holder has also been selected as a semi-finalist for the Brooks Wallace Award, which recognizes the nation's top shortstop.

Bio

Position: SS
School: San Diego
Height/Weight: 6-1, 185 pounds
Age: 21
Bats: Left; Throws: Right

Stats

Overview

Holder is equally as impressive in the field as he is with the stick. The shortstop boasts a .976 fielding percentage, committing just three errors in 127 chances in WCC play. The only knock against Holder is his low walk rate: 7.3 percent. MLB comparables include Zack Cozart, Adeiny Hechavarria, and Brandon Crawford.

Highlights