Yankees Select FDTC Pitcher Tanner Myatt In 2018 MLB Draft
The New York Yankees selected Florence-Darlington Technical College (FDTC) right-handed pitcher Tanner Myatt in the 11th round of the 2018 MLB Draft.
Tanner Myatt pitches during the 2018 Region X Tournament in Lexington, SC, when the Tech Stingers played USC Sumter.
Myatt, a 6-foot-7-inch, 220-pound 20-year-old is the highest drafted Tech Stinger in FDTC’s history. The North Carolina native becomes the 12th FDTC player since 2010 to be drafted by an MLB organization. Myatt was a pitcher on the team that made FDTC’s debut appearance in the JUCO World Series during the 2017 season. What set Myatt apart from other pitchers in the junior ranks is his fastball that tops off at 99 mph.
“We were extremely excited to be able to select Tanner in the 11th round,” said Damon Oppenheimer, New York Yankees Vice President of Domestic Amateur Scouting. “He has a big arm and is an extremely uncomfortable at-bat for right-handed batters. We believe he has a high ceiling and look forward to having our player development staff help him reach it.”
Myatt is a graduate of Overhills High School, and prior to being selected by the Yankees, he had plans to play for the College of Charleston following his two years at FDTC.
He began playing for FDTC’s baseball team in 2017. Throughout the season, he won three games and only lost two. He pitched 26.1 innings, striking out 34 players and only allowing 15 hits and 16 walks. Myatt finished out the 2017 season with a 3.76 ERA.
During the 2018 season, Myatt won three games on the mound and only lost one. He pitched 30 innings, while striking out 39 players. He allowed 20 hits and 20 walks. Myatt’s ERA for the year greatly improved to 1.80.
“We are extremely proud and excited for Tanner Myatt to have the opportunity to join the New York Yankees organization,” said Preston McDonald, FDTC Head Baseball Coach. “He has worked very hard to fulfill a lifelong dream of playing professional baseball. He has potential to be a special pitcher for them.”
Myatt joins his former teammate, Trent Autry (Arizona Diamondbacks, 2017) in the MiLB. Both players shared the mound throughout the 2017 season at FDTC.
