WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Yankees made their first selection in the 2026 MLB Draft on Saturday, selecting Hunter Dietz with the 35th overall pick.

A left-hander out of the University of Arkansas, Dietz didn’t pitch in a ton of games for the Razorbacks. The 21-year-old suffered an elbow stress fracture that required surgery in the Fall of 2023, and he totaled just 1.2 innings and four appearances from 2024-2025.

However, Dietz knocked some rust off with a handful of summer ball games in the Cape Cod League last year before enjoying a breakout 2026 campaign. With a 7-4 record, a 3.57 ERA, 31 walks, and 131 strikeouts over 16 starts and 85.2 innings, he earned All-SEC first-team and All-American third-team honors.

Dietz was also a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award.

The New York Yankees select LHP Hunter Dietz with the 35th overall pick out of the University of Arkansas

Dietz is a Tall, hard-throwing southpaw who has had some injury issues in college, appearing in just 4 games (0 starts) across his first 2 seasons before his breakout season…

— Cai Rogers (@cai_rogers7) July 11, 2026

According to MLB.com’s scouting report, Dietz has a fastball that sits 94-96 mph and reaches 98 mph. His arsenal also includes a curve, slider, cutter and changeup.

“Dietz presents an unusual look for hitters, delivering pitches from a 6-6 frame with a high three-quarters arm slot,” the scouting report added.

MLB.com listed Dietz as the 17th-best prospect in this year’s draft, so he fell off the board later than expected. That worked out for the Yankees, as they received a 10-pick penalty on their first selection for the second straight year after they exceeded the second surcharge threshold of the Competitive Balance Tax last season.

The Blue Jays, Dodgers, Mets and Phillies received the same penalty.

Prior to his collegiate career, Dietz pitched for a stacked Calvary Christian High School (Clearwater, Fla.) rotation. That group also featured future Blue Jays fourth-rounder Landen Maroudis and Liam Peterson, who was drafted 19th overall by the Guardians on Saturday.