The Yankees scouting director talked to the media about their first round pick, Cito Culver:

UPDATE, 11:36 p.m.: “We’ve been able to see him play for a long time. We’ve probably got a couple of hundred at-bats from him… We were ahead of the game because we knew so much about him.”

UPDATE, 11:37 p.m.: “We project him to be a shortstop.”

UPDATE, 11:38 p.m.: On the idea of waiting for him to fall into the second round: “The thought crossed my mind and I’m glad I didn’t, because after we did pick him I got a call from one of our competitors who’s very successful, saying he would not have gotten to us.”

The team did their homework, and selected a high school player who projects to be a shortstop. Here are some stats on the player:

Culver, listed at 6 feet, 172 pounds, batted .561 (37-for-66) with 10 doubles, five triples, nine home runs, 38 RBI and 20 walks in 22 regular season games this past season as a high school senior, according to his school’s Web site. He also had a .933 fielding percentage, committing just eight errors in 120 total chances, helping lead his school to the Monroe County Division title. Named his team’s most valuable player in each of the last three seasons, Culver was also a three-time all-county selection and an Under Armour All American.

Who knows how he’ll work out at the position. When you draft a player as a shortstop, however, you can move him anywhere you like if he hits. We’ve seen this with Justin and B.J. Upton, and historically with players like Dave Winfield and Bobby Murcer. The Yankees know that Jeter’s days at short are numbered, so it’s good to see they are putting a great deal of effort into finding a replacement.