Pair of Yankees' Top Draft Picks Expected to Be Assigned to Charleston

CHARLESTON, SC - Though it won't be official until the first week of April, the Charleston RiverDogs fully expect the New York Yankees to send two of their top draft picks to the Holy City when the team breaks spring training in early April.

Highly-touted shortstop Cito Culver was selected by the Yankees in the first round of the 2010 MLB Draft and became the 32nd overall pick. While Culver had committed to play baseball for the University of Maryland, he passed on his commitment and instead signed a contract with the Yankees. A 6-0, 172-pound switch-hitter from Rochester, NY, Culver is just the second high school shortstop drafted by the Yankees (also former RiverDogs C. J. Henry in 2005) in the first round since the club selected Derek Jeter with the sixth overall pick in the 1992 First-Year Player Draft.

Culver attended Irondequoit High School in Irondequoit, New York, a suburb of Rochester. Last year while playing in Staten Island, Culver hit .250 in 69 games with 14 doubles, 2 triples, 2 home runs, and 33 RBI. He stole 10 bases and was not caught.

"Cito is a former first rounder, and he's got some real nice tools," said first-year RiverDogs manager Carlos Mendoza. "He is a great defensive shortstop who possesses good instincts. The ball really sticks in his glove, and he is a great kid who works hard, and has great hand-eye coordination."

A native of Conyers, Ga., Austin was drafted by the Yankees in the 13th round of the 2010 MLB June Amateur Draft. He is a corner infielder that bats and throws right-handed. A 6-2, 200-pounder, Austin split last season between the Gulf Coast League and Staten Island Yankees where he played in 47 games and recorded 18 doubles, two triples, six homers, 36 RBI, 18 stolen bases and was not caught. He sported a .354 batting average and .579 slugging percentage.

"Tyler is a good-looking young hitter," said Mendoza. "He's a guy with pop in his bat and drives the ball well in the gaps. As he gets older and stronger, he'll have some real power. I think that he has a chance to be a serious hitter down the road.

The RiverDogs begin their 16th season in beautiful Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park on April 7 - a "Thirsty Thursday" - when the Rome Braves come to open a seven-game homestand. For ticket information, please contact the RiverDogs Box Office at 843-577-DOGS (3647) or click here.

--RIVERDOGS--