The New York Yankees used their first two selections of the 2025 MLB First-Year Player Draft to bolster their infield depth, taking high school standout Dax Kilby with the 39th overall pick in the first round and Texas A&M shortstop Kaeden Kent in the third round (103rd overall). The selections were made Sunday night during the live draft broadcast on MLB Network and ESPN from Atlanta’s Coca-Cola Roxy.
Kilby, an 18-year-old left-handed hitting shortstop from Newnan High School (Ga.), batted .495 with 53 runs, 11 doubles, four triples, five home runs, 42 RBI, 33 walks, and 15 stolen bases during his senior season. He helped lead Newnan to its first Class 5A state title since 1991 and earned Georgia High School Association MVP honors for the tournament. He was also named the 2024-25 Georgia Baseball Player of the Year by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the 2025 Georgia Male Athlete of the Year by ITG Next.
“Dax is a strong-bodied and athletic left-handed hitting shortstop,” said Damon Oppenheimer, Yankees Vice President of Domestic Amateur Scouting. “We really like his potential and ability to swing the bat, plus, he’s an excellent runner.”
Kilby impressed at the MLB Draft Combine in June, running the fourth-fastest 30-yard dash (3.55 seconds) among all participants. MLB Pipeline ranked him as the No. 62 prospect entering the draft, while Baseball America had him at No. 75. His selection continues a recent trend for New York, marking the fourth time in seven years they’ve used their top pick on an infielder and the fifth time since 2016 they’ve selected a high schooler in the first round.
With their next pick, the Yankees selected 21-year-old Kaeden Kent, who slashed .279/.398/.544 with 13 home runs and 49 RBI over 56 games in 2025 while starting every game at shortstop for the Texas A&M Aggies. Kent, the son of former National League MVP Jeff Kent, also made noise on the national stage, batting .417 in the 2024 College World Series and earning All-Tournament Team honors.
“He’s a left-handed hitter, athletic, and can really play shortstop, which he showed us this past year,” Oppenheimer said. “Growing up around his father, Kaeden has experienced elite baseball, so he knows what it takes.”
Kent also built a strong resume in the Cape Cod Baseball League, earning All-Star honors in both 2023 and 2024. Over two seasons, he hit .299 with 35 RBI in 69 games between stints with the Chatham Anglers and Brewster Whitecaps.
The 2025 MLB Draft continues Monday at 11:30 a.m. ET on MLB.com with rounds four through 20.
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