Yankees select Alabama RHP Ben Hess with No. 26 pick in 2024 MLB Draft

With the No. 26 pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, the Yankees selected Alabama RHP Ben Hess.

Hess owns the program record for strikeouts per nine innings with 13.34 at a ratio of 205 strikeouts in 138.1 IP.

The 6-foot-5, 255-pounder from Charleston, Ill., was 12-6 with a 4.81 ERA in 138.1 IP over 33 games (30 starts) from 2022-24.

As a junior with the Crimson Tide during the 2024 season, Hess went 5-5 while pitching to a 5.80 ERA in 68.1 IP over 15 starts. He rounded out his production with 106 strikeouts against 35 walks.

His sophomore season, the 2023 campaign, saw him go 4-0 with a 3.22 ERA while striking out 49 and walking eight in 36.1 IP through seven starts.

Hess debuted as a freshman with a 4.54 ERA in 33.2 IP across 11 games (eight starts). He capped his first spring by striking out 50 and walking 19.