Yankees' Top Prospect Dax Kilby Reveals Goals for 2026 Season

The 19-year-old infielder is looking to build on his impressive 2025 debut in the minors.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 12:48pm

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Dax Kilby, the New York Yankees' first-round draft pick in 2025, is already a top-100 prospect in baseball and the fourth-ranked prospect in the Yankees' system. In an interview with MLB Pipeline, the 19-year-old shortstop discussed his personal goals for the 2026 season, which include replicating his strong offensive numbers from last year and improving his defense to solidify his spot at the position as he moves up the minor league ranks.

Why it matters

The Yankees are high on Kilby's potential, and his development will be crucial as the team navigates its future infield situation with other top prospects like George Lombard Jr. and Anthony Volpe also vying for playing time. Kilby's ability to take a step forward in 2026 could help determine the team's long-term plans at shortstop.

The details

Kilby, who acknowledged that his first-round selection in 2025 surprised many, is focused on building off his impressive debut season in the Florida State League, where he hit .353 with a .457 on-base percentage. The Yankees want Kilby to add more power and extra-base hits, while also emphasizing the importance of his defense at shortstop. Kilby has already put on close to 10 pounds of muscle in the offseason and is working to become more defensively sound to solidify his future at the position.

  • Kilby was the Yankees' first-round draft pick in 2025.
  • In 2025, Kilby had 68 at-bats in the Florida State League, hitting .353 with a .457 on-base percentage.
  • Kilby is currently ranked as the Yankees' No. 4 prospect and the No. 94 overall prospect in baseball.

The players

Dax Kilby

A 19-year-old shortstop who was the Yankees' first-round draft pick in 2025 and is currently ranked as the team's No. 4 prospect and the No. 94 overall prospect in baseball.

George Lombard Jr.

Another top shortstop prospect in the Yankees' system who could compete with Kilby for playing time in the future.

Anthony Volpe

The Yankees' current shortstop whose future role with the team remains uncertain as Kilby and Lombard Jr. develop.

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What they’re saying

“I like taking people by surprise, I don't think anyone expected me to go that high.”

— Dax Kilby (MLB Pipeline)

“My goal this season is to kind of replicate what I did last season. Hit a little bit more power, a little more extra base hits, but other than that, my goal is to replicate what I did last year.”

— Dax Kilby (MLB Pipeline)

“I think that's one of the Yankees' biggest goals with me as well is getting me more defensively sound to be able to stick it short as I move up. A big priority in Spring Training has been my defense and I feel like I've grown a ton just in the six months that I've been in the Yankees organization.”

— Dax Kilby (MLB Pipeline)

What’s next

The Yankees will continue to monitor Kilby's progress in the minors as he looks to solidify his spot as the team's shortstop of the future. His development, along with that of other top prospects like Lombard Jr. and Volpe, will be crucial in determining the team's long-term plans at the position.

The takeaway

Kilby's rapid rise as a top Yankees prospect has surprised many, but the team is clearly high on his potential. His ability to build on his impressive 2025 debut and continue to develop his all-around game will be key as the Yankees navigate their infield situation in the coming years.