​Yankees manager Aaron Boone had plenty to say about the club’s decision to draft Luke Pettitte, the son of former Yankee great Andy Pettitte, in the 8th round of today’s MLB Draft. The Yankees had just completed a series sweep of the Washington Nationals, and Boone admitted he didn’t even know the team had made the pick until after the game, when he was speaking with members of the Yankees’ media corps. When informed of the selection, Boone reacted with surprise and enthusiasm: “We did? Oh yeah! Heck yeah! I’m fired up,” he told Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News Sports.
Asked if he could offer a scouting report on Luke Pettitte, Boone chucked out a quick, playful summary: “big power, the TJS, and pretty good genes.” Phillips captured Boone’s remarks, which underscored the sense that there was a lot of excitement around the pick, not only because the Yankees swept the Nationals ahead of the All-Star break but also because Pettitte’s son is the offspring of a legendary Yankee who won multiple championships.
Boone also spoke about his evolving relationship with Luke’s father, Andy Pettitte, who serves as a special advisor to the franchise and has worked closely with the Yankees’ pitchers over the past several seasons. Boone said that Andy has become a real friend and that, although he isn’t physically present all the time, he’s often around and remains a central part of the staff and culture. Boone noted that he has spent years getting to know Luke through Andy’s involvement with the team and recalled Luke’s journey, including his Tommy John Surgery from the previous year, which led him to become a full-time designated hitter at Dallas Baptist University in 2026.
Boone emphasized that he’s been following Luke’s development and was impressed by how well he has performed in college this past year despite the Tommy John Surgery. “I’ve been getting to know Luke and his story,” Boone said, describing the young player as someone with an intriguing and promising path ahead. Boone concluded on an upbeat note, expressing excitement about watching Luke’s journey unfold and calling him “a great kid” and “great news” for the organization.
The 2024 MLB Draft proceeded through rounds 5-20 today, with the Yankees making several selections after Pettitte. Among the more notable picks were outfielder Lee Garris from Maury High School in Virginia, shortstop William Cutshnall from Seneca High School in South Carolina, and Diego Castellanos from St. Mary’s High School in California, among others. In total, the Yankees drafted eight pitchers and 12 hitters, with Pettitte the lone two-way player selected. The club now faces the challenge of signing as many of its 20 selections as possible before the draft signing deadline on Monday, July 27 at 5:00 PM ET. One thing appears certain: the younger Pettitte figures to be an appealing draw for SEO and fan interest alike, regardless of how the negotiations unfold.