Pinstripe Alley - All PostsBig boi dinger enthusiastshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51961/pinstripe_alley_minimal.png2024-03-19T07:00:00-04:00http://www.pinstripealley.com/rss/current/2024-03-19T07:00:00-04:002024-03-19T07:00:00-04:00Yankees Potential Free Agent Target: Josh Harrison
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<p>With DJ LeMahieu’s Opening Day status uncertain, the Yankees could use proven depth at the hot corner.</p> <p id="LJVcFM">Before the start of spring training, <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">Yankees</a> owner Hal Steinbrenner suggested that the team was largely done adding on the position player side of the ball and that further reinforcements would likely come in the bullpen. That stance may have to change with the reports that DJ LeMahieu is dealing with “<a href="https://x.com/BryanHoch/status/1769817527511617677?s=20">a pretty significant bone bruise</a>” in his right foot and that his status for Opening Day is in question. </p>
<p id="OCDKOK">As the news filtered down, <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2F5351781%2F2024%2F03%2F18%2Fyankees-dj-lemahieu-bone-bruise%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinstripealley.com%2F2024%2F3%2F19%2F24105388%2Fyankees-mlb-free-agent-rumors-josh-harrison-third-base-dj-lemahieu-foot-injury-bone-bruise" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Chris Kirschner of <em>The Athletic</em></a> and others wondered which players, both internal and external, could handle third base duties should LeMahieu not be available for the start of the season, with Josh Harrison’s name popping up across several platforms.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Josh Harrison could be an option if DJ LeMahieu isn't ready to begin the season: <a href="https://t.co/V0VMS7Pkbi">https://t.co/V0VMS7Pkbi</a></p>— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) <a href="https://twitter.com/BryanHoch/status/1769820148121153653?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2024</a>
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<p id="uAkBYq">Now entering his 14th season, does the 36-year-old Harrison have anything left in the tank and would he be a viable stopgap while LeMahieu recovers?</p>
<p id="av5Pce"><strong>2023 Statistics: </strong>41 games, 114 PA, .204/.263/.291, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 51 wRC+, -1 Outs Above Average (3B), -0.6 fWAR</p>
<p id="sRhl0c"><strong>2024 ZiPS Projections: </strong>98 games, 357 PA, .260/.320/.375, 6 HR, 35 RBI, 85 wRC+, 1.2 fWAR</p>
<p id="qAwx1l"><strong>Previous Contract: </strong>Signed a one-year, $2 million contract with <a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a> January 2023. Designated for assignment and released in August. Signed and subsequently opted out of minor league deals with Rangers and Reds. </p>
<p id="qt6jPT">Harrison is far from the most inspiring option on the free agent market. <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/2024/2/18/24075889/yankees-free-agent-signings-targets-middle-infielders-hernandez">Donovan Solano</a> remains unsigned but is likely looking for the promise of a more permanent role after putting up a 116 wRC+ in 134 games for the Twins. The internal options are more bleak — the infield depth was already looking thin from Oswald Peraza’s shoulder issues and now two more are in doubt with LeMahieu’s injury and Jorbit Vivas’ <a href="https://x.com/YankeesPR/status/1769853681988432224?s=20">reassignment to minor league camp</a>. </p>
<p id="JW7CsN">This leaves Oswaldo Cabrera as the next (and perhaps only) man up, and you’d be excused if that didn’t instill much confidence. After putting himself in the conversation to be the 2023 Opening Day starter in left after a 113 wRC+ rookie cameo the year before, Cabrera looked overmatched in a larger sample size. And while Harrison looked cooked as a backup for the Phillies, his 85 wRC+ ZiPS projection is still a sight better than the 60 wRC+ Cabrera mustered in 115 games last year. The one area where Cabrera holds the upper had is on defense, with +3 OAA at the hot corner over the last two seasons vs. Harrison’s zero OAA.</p>
<p id="3rwCWf">Harrison likes to swing the bat, despite not being particularly effective when he did so in 2023. Among the 461 hitters who took at least 100 plate appearances last season, Harrison posted the second-lowest walk rate (2.6-percent) and the 31st-worst wRC+ (51). That being said, he was a productive hitter well into his mid-30s, batting .270/.332/.390 with a 102 wRC+ and 3.9 fWAR between 2020 and 2022. </p>
<p id="yYG8Ia">While he is certainly not someone you’d pencil in to bat leadoff as the Yankees had designs on doing with LeMahieu, Harrison makes plenty of contact, with a career strikeout rate of 15.2-percent and sub-20-percent career whiff rate. He also would offer positional versatility to a Yankees bench that projects to carry two catchers, playing every position but catcher in his career. And while his opting out of his minor league deal indicates a desire to make a major league squad, it does not necessarily signal an expectation of sustained playing time. At the very least, Harrison is regarded by his peers as one of the truly good guys around the sport, and that plus his veteran knowledge could prove a useful asset to a clubhouse that could see a lot of youth come through its doors in 2024. </p>
https://www.pinstripealley.com/2024/3/19/24105388/yankees-mlb-free-agent-rumors-josh-harrison-third-base-dj-lemahieu-foot-injury-bone-bruisePeter Brody2024-03-19T06:00:00-04:002024-03-19T06:00:00-04:00Today on Pinstripe Alley - 3/19/24
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<figcaption>Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>A spring day off.</p> <p id="POTnh8">We’ve got a rare spring off-day today, breaking a streak of 19 consecutive days with <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">Yankees</a> baseball. The Yankees enter this breather having been dealt some more bad news, as DJ LeMahieu is said to have suffered a “major” bone bruise after fouling a ball off his foot. He’ll be re-evaluated on Thursday, making it hard to imagine that the veteran infielder will be ready for Opening Day a week later. At least it wasn’t all bad yesterday, as Carlos Rodón shoved, providing hope he can buoy the Yankee rotation in Gerrit Cole’s absence.</p>
<p id="BSPMYY">We’ll have lots to keep you company with on the site during the off-day. Matt keeps our MLB Preview rolling with a look at the <a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">San Francisco Giants</a>, while Josh discusses what to expect from Spencer Jones in 2024. Also, Matt traces Juan Soto’s journey to New York, Esteban analyzes how Luis Gil has made some elite hitters very uncomfortable this spring, Peter brings up Josh Harrison as a potential replacement for LeMahieu, and Smith looks at the Yankees pitchers from the weekend’s Spring Breakout game.</p>
<h2 id="vo7BLd"><strong>Today’s Matchups:</strong></h2>
<p id="UvxvfK">Off-day</p>
<h2 id="nGzg6k"><strong>Questions/Prompts:</strong></h2>
<p id="PW9QcK">1. Where are you at with regard to Carlos Rodón? Bounce-back season incoming, or more inconsistency?</p>
<p id="qVhQiL">2. Will the Yankees go external if they need to fill a hole at third base?</p>
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https://www.pinstripealley.com/2024/3/19/24104840/yankees-mlb-pinstripe-alley-3-19-24Jake Devin2024-03-19T00:00:00-04:002024-03-19T00:00:00-04:00NYY News: DJ down; Snell to SF
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<p>LeMahieu might miss Opening Day; Snell agrees to deal with the Giants; Judge to return on Wednesday; Torre surprises Rodón and fans on Monday; three Yankees elected to the All-Spring Breakout first team</p> <p id="oI9ZyM"><a href="https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-injuries-and-roster-moves">MLB.com</a>: While X-rays and CT scan showed that there is no break in DJ LeMahieu’s right foot after fouling off a ball in the area, the versatile veteran is in danger of missing Opening Day.</p>
<p id="RNIkXV">Manager Aaron Boone said that LeMahieu sustained “a pretty significant bone bruise” in Saturday’s game. After being sent to a specialist on Monday, all parties determined the player would be re-evaluated on Thursday. </p>
<p id="h5rNkT">Boone noted that the foot has given LeMahieu problems before and that he is “not going to have him playing through anything initially.” It’s still not set in stone, but it’s looking likely that the 2020 AL batting champion will not be available for March 28th. It’s also worth noting that one internal possibility to replace him, Jorbit Vivas, was <a href="https://twitter.com/YankeesPR/status/1769853681988432224">optioned</a> after yesterday’s game. The former Dodgers prospect had just 26 games above Double-A to his name.</p>
<p id="dxjkF3"><a href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/03/giants-to-sign-blake-snell.html">MLB Trade Rumors | Anthony Franco</a>: Even if the <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">Yankees</a> weren’t particularly likely to sign him at this stage, it’s very much worth reporting that Blake Snell has agreed to join the <a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">San Francisco Giants</a> on a two-year, $62 million deal.</p>
<p id="Mmnixj">Snell, who <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/free-agent-market-update-january-2024#:~:text=The%20Yankees%20reportedly%20offered%20Snell">rejected</a> the Yankees’ six-year, $150 million offer before they signed Marcus Stroman, will have an opt-out clause after the 2024 campaign to re-enter the market if he sees fit. Finally, the saga involving the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner comes to an end. Now, where will Jordan Montgomery go?</p>
<p id="mtumOL"><a href="https://nypost.com/2024/03/18/sports/aaron-judge-expected-to-return-to-yankees-lineup-wednesday/">New York Post | Greg Joyce</a>: The <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">Yankees</a> just aren’t the best team out there at handling injuries, particularly when it comes to the media. Since Aaron Judge hurt his abdominal area on Sunday, March 10th, the team has unsuccessfully predicted a return to taking batting practice and playing a couple of times.</p>
<p id="PxXysJ">Boone confirmed that the plan is for Judge to play on Wednesday against the <a href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/">Pittsburgh Pirates</a>. He hasn’t played since the aforementioned date, but an MRI on the area came back clean last week. The skipper also indicated that his star player should be able to play in four of the Yanks’ remaining six spring training games.</p>
<p id="QUnpf2"><a href="https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/joe-torre-removes-carlos-rodon-from-game">MLB.com | Bryan Hoch</a>: Carlos Rodón was having his best start of the spring on Monday, firing 5.2 scoreless, hitless innings on just 72 pitches. He felt that he could complete six innings, so he was frustrated when he saw the manager coming out from the dugout to take the ball from him.</p>
<p id="xK56S6">To his surprise, the person walking towards him wasn’t Boone. It was a special Yankees’ guest: Joe Torre.</p>
<p id="JEgAXl">“I look up and I was like, ‘Oh, it’s Joe Torre. I should give him the ball,’” Rodón said. “It was cool. Everybody knows who Joe Torre is, and he got a nice ovation coming out there.”</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Chills <a href="https://t.co/FAUuxi36qC">pic.twitter.com/FAUuxi36qC</a></p>— New York Yankees (@Yankees) <a href="https://twitter.com/Yankees/status/1769810756252348823?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2024</a>
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<p id="zseIig">Torre was personally invited to camp by Boone, and put on his pinstriped uniform for the first time since 2007. It was a special, nostalgic day for him and for hundreds of fans watching.</p>
<p id="ynqSwl"><a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/all-spring-breakout-teams-2024">MLB Pipeline | Jonathan Mayo</a>: The Spring Breakout, MLB’s most recent initiative to showcase and highlight its best young talent, has come to an end. Three Yankees were elected to the All-Spring Breakout first team: first baseman T.J. Rumfield, outfielder Spencer Jones, and pitcher Brock Selvidge.</p>
https://www.pinstripealley.com/2024/3/19/24105361/yankees-mlb-news-lemahieu-opening-day-foot-bruise-judge-return-wednesday-rodon-torreAndrés Chávez2024-03-18T17:30:00-04:002024-03-18T17:30:00-04:00Ask Pinstripe Alley: Yankees mailbag questions request
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<p>What's on your mind with Opening Day right on the horizon?</p> <p id="fxTay2">The <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">Yankees</a> have dealt with some disappointing setbacks already in camp, but so far they've avoided any disastrous results. Ace Gerrit Cole is going to be sidelined for the first 10-12 weeks of the year, but he seemingly avoided a tear in his UCL that would've required Tommy John surgery and end his year outright. Captain Aaron Judge has been sitting with a core issue, but all indications from him and management are that he's still on track to start Opening Day. The Yankees can breathe a sigh of relief that they didn't lose both of their best players right out of the gate for extensive time, but it’s far from an ideal start.</p>
<p id="RCViod">In Cole's absence, the pitching staff will have to step up from within, as it's clear at this point that there isn't a major signing coming to bolster them. Guys like Luke Weaver, Luis Gil, and Clayton Beeter are in the running to snag that fifth starter spot, but who should get the nod? Once they have their man, who should get the remaining bullpen positions? Should they run an additional arm or bolster the bench a bit with Judge still technically in a gray area? (DJ LeMahieu’s foot is now <a href="https://twitter.com/MaxTGoodman/status/1769817586814816424">causing problems as well</a>.) If you’ve got questions like these, or anything else on your mind, send ‘em in for a chance to be featured in our Yankees mailbag.</p>
<p id="CevUiQ">Answers will run on Friday afternoon. All questions received by the night of March 21st will be considered. You can leave your submissions in the comment section below or by e-mail to pinstripealleyblog [at] gmail [dot] com.</p>
https://www.pinstripealley.com/2024/3/18/24105181/yankees-mailbag-questions-answers-requestMadison Pavich2024-03-18T16:11:33-04:002024-03-18T16:11:33-04:00Yankees 4, Phillies 3: Rodón throws 5.2 no-hit innings
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<figcaption>Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Yankee southpaw impressed as he looks to get back on track in 2024.</p> <p id="H8lTBE">This late in spring training, players’ appearance start to somewhat resemble a real game. Starting pitchers can go at least five innings. Position players will get three at-bats and sometimes, even more. The clock is ticking for them to round into form with just a few games left before spring training.</p>
<p id="k2SXKN">In Monday’s exhibition, two players in particular showed good signs as they head towards the games that count for real. With both looking for bounce-back seasons after a down 2023, Carlos Rodón and Oswaldo Cabrera both put in some of their best performances of the spring, as they helped the <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">Yankees</a> beat the <a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a>, 4-3.</p>
<p id="DP5fd3">One big thing to keep an eye on coming into today was Rodón, and how he looks in preparation for the beginning of the 2024 campaign. After a debut season with the Yankees that saw him struggle quite a bit, he’s had an up-and-down spring. This outing was a no-doubt “up.” Rodón was excellent, going 5.2 innings without allowing a hit. He walked just one batter and struck out five with crackling stuff, looking more like the pitcher the Yankees were hoping they’d signed last year.</p>
<div id="Y89TbZ"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/m/carlos-rodon-strikes-out-five-in-solid-start" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="encrypted-media;"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="ctVb5A">In a bit of an “only in spring training” moment, Joe Torre — who’s been on hand with the coaching staff several times this spring — came out to make the pitching change when the Yankees removed Rodón from the game.</p>
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<p id="C5HEEJ">Oswaldo Cabrera hasn’t had the best of springs, but he notched a positive moment in this one. In a scoreless game in the bottom of the third, he crushed a Seranthony Domínguez pitch to right for his first home run of camp.</p>
<div id="qkpPMO"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/m/oswaldo-cabrera-s-solo-homer-x6888" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="encrypted-media;"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="l1NHY6">An inning later, the Yankees added another run when an Alex Verdugo single drove home Gleyber Torres, who had doubled and then moved to third on a fly out before that. Cabrera was then involved when the Yankees scored again in the fifth. He continued his solid day with a double, and came around to score after Phillies’ first baseman Darick Hall let a hard-hit Anthony Volpe grounder go through his legs.</p>
<p id="wAEGP3">In the sixth inning, Giancarlo Stanton and Verdugo both recorded singles ahead of a Trent Grisham walk to load the bases. A run then scored the painful when when Kevin Smith drew a bases loaded hit-by-pitch, plating a fourth run on the day.</p>
<p id="EexjVO">After Rodón left, Ian Hamilton was brought in, and he quickly recorded a strikeout. In total, Yankee pitching did not allow a hit until Kody Clemens homered off Jonathan Loáisiga in the seventh inning. Loáisiga got in a bit more trouble after a Verdugo misplay in the outfield landed in for a double, but he eventually worked out of the jam.</p>
<p id="Kcjsc9">In addition to the events mentioned, Juan Soto and Austin Wells each notched hits before they exited the game.</p>
<p id="8wiCuZ">The Phillies picked up a couple more runs in the eighth off Cody Poteet. That being said, the runs were partially aided by fielding, as it wasn’t the sharpest of innings from the Yankees’ defense, which was mostly reserves by this point. Poteet returned for a cleaner ninth inning, allowing a single before finally putting the finishing touches on a Yankees’ win.</p>
<p id="koVeBH">Tomorrow will be an offday for the Yankees before they return to the field on Wednesday night against the Pirates at 6:35pm ET. The <a href="https://twitter.com/BryanHoch/status/1769789737592627207">latest news</a> is that this time, Aaron Judge should actually return to the lineup with Opening Day drawing closer. Cross your fingers.</p>
<p id="ttQa8I"><a href="https://www.mlb.com/gameday/phillies-vs-yankees/2024/03/18/747909/final/box">Box Score</a></p>
https://www.pinstripealley.com/2024/3/18/24104974/yankees-game-score-recap-carlos-rodon-no-hitter-phillies-spring-training-cabrera-torres-soto-stantonMatt Ferenchick2024-03-18T12:35:00-04:002024-03-18T12:35:00-04:00NYY vs. PHI: Carlos Rodón vs. Matt Strahm
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<figcaption>Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Rodón looks to put in a good start as the regular season nears.</p> <p id="rlYyeo">We are now into the final days of spring training. Exactly one week from today, the <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">Yankees</a> will be wrapping up their Grapefruit League schedule, with the regular season set to start in Houston later that week. Sure, some recent news has sucked some air out of the Yankees’ balloon ahead of Opening Day, but it’s still great to be so tantalizingly close. However, we still have some spring games to go, and that includes today. This afternoon, the Yankees will host a split-squad <a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a>’ lineup at Steinbrenner Field.</p>
<p id="Cc8MtJ">On the mound for the Yankees will be Carlos Rodón. He’s had a bit of an up-and-down spring as he looks to bounce back from his rough first season as a Yankee. He is coming off a pretty solid outing against the <a href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Red Sox</a> last week, so hopefully he can continue that. Behind him, the lineup is still Judge-less, although it does feature plenty of other notable names, including Juan Soto.</p>
<p id="ViIjSO">As mentioned, the Phillies are sending a partial squad as part of a split-squad day for them. Matt Strahm will start on the mound for them, while Brandon Marsh and Alec Bohm are among the notable names in their lineup.</p>
<p id="Dn9V2E">Come join us in the game thread for this afternoon’s action!</p>
<p id="UI17eP"><strong>How to watch</strong></p>
<p id="3YJT1X"><strong>Location</strong>: George M. Steinbrenner Field — Tampa, FL</p>
<p id="G7DKuQ"><strong>First pitch</strong>: <s>1:05 pm ET</s> (<a href="https://twitter.com/BryanHoch/status/1769768382428074285">update</a>: 1:25pm ET)</p>
<p id="XH77SR"><strong>TV broadcast</strong>: YES Network</p>
<p id="2rzX5P"><strong>Radio broadcast</strong>: none</p>
<p id="KP1eqL"><strong>Online stream</strong>: YES App, MLB.tv</p>
<p id="3hbWed">For updates, follow us on <a href="https://twitter.com/pinstripealley"><strong>X</strong></a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/pinstripealley/"><strong>Instagram</strong></a>, and like us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pinstripealley"><strong>Facebook</strong></a>.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Monday Matchup <a href="https://t.co/AbS2QstKba">pic.twitter.com/AbS2QstKba</a></p>— New York Yankees (@Yankees) <a href="https://twitter.com/Yankees/status/1769707110277759361?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2024</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Tampa lineup ⬇️ <a href="https://t.co/T4VPxZqpzW">pic.twitter.com/T4VPxZqpzW</a></p>— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) <a href="https://twitter.com/Phillies/status/1769725775580746213?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2024</a>
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https://www.pinstripealley.com/2024/3/18/24104812/yankees-phillies-spring-training-game-how-to-watch-channel-streaming-lineups-carlos-rodon-juan-sotoMatt Ferenchick2024-03-18T11:30:00-04:002024-03-18T11:30:00-04:00Yankees 2024 Season Preview: Clayton Beeter
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<img alt="2024 New York Yankees Spring Training" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/l0fbYQGJuV3cDIOPCqU_ZkKYwHA=/0x0:5436x3624/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73215290/2035485089.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>This live arm could soak up a lot of innings in the Bronx this season.</p> <p id="f1yplv">Clayton Beeter’s story has remained largely the same throughout his baseball career — a ton of talent handled with extreme caution. Drafted by the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> in the second competitive balance round of the shortened 2020 draft, Beeter entered the organization with outstanding results at Texas Tech but a loaded injury history, including Tommy John surgery back in 2017</p>
<p id="3EBj5o"> Los Angeles handled him with utmost care, rarely ever letting him pitch past the fourth inning in his starts, leading to a 2021 season of 27 starts but just 52.1 innings pitched. It was more of the same in 2022 before being sent to New York as the return for Joey Gallo. Beeter pitched well in seven starts for Double-A Somerset before the <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">Yankees</a> took the reigns off in 2023 and watched him explode for Somerset before a mid-season promotion.</p>
<p id="sf4Zx3"><strong>2023 Stats (Double-A): </strong>12 G (12 GS), 6-2, 60.2 IP, 2.08 ERA, 3.86 FIP, 11.27 K/9, 4.60 BB/9, 0.45 HR/9</p>
<p id="3TYgUy"><strong>2023 Stats (Triple-A): </strong>15 G (14 GS), 3-5, 71 IP, 4.94 ERA, 5.76 FIP, 11.28 K/9, 5.58 BB/9, 1.90 HR/9</p>
<p id="L4bOrY"><strong>2024 ZiPS Projections: </strong>25 G (24 GS), 6-6, 107 IP, 4.79 ERA, 4.86 FIP, 9.08 K/9, 4.46 BB/9, 1.35 HR/9</p>
<p id="spH6VH">As you can see by the numbers, it was a tale of two halves for Beeter. He was cruising throughout Double-A in the first half en route to being named an Eastern League All-Star. Following a promotion to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, the numbers don’t look nearly as pretty, but not all is as it seems. Beeter’s first three starts were an adjustment period, as he got rocked for an 8.25 ERA in just 12 innings pitched. He pitched much better in five August starts, posting a 3.57 ERA in 22.2 innings pitched and rounding out with a 4.26 ERA across 25.1 innings pitched in five September starts.</p>
<p id="ZuH1iN">Despite the less than stellar Triple-A numbers, there were some positives to take away following Beeter’s promotion. His excellent strikeout numbers stayed the same and he was able to right the ship following a rude introduction to Triple-A. Furthermore, Beeter shattered his previous record for innings pitched in a season, finishing at 131.2 innings after topping out at just 77 in 2022. The new record for innings clearly led to some fatigue down the stretch, but Beeter still gutted out some late September starts to put him in good shape for 2024.</p>
<div id="GH7uEJ"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2o5UdYGKUfc?rel=0" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="accelerometer; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share;"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="MfPBYI">Prior to the Juan Soto trade and Gerrit Cole injury, Beeter was pretty far down on the depth chart, looking to start the year with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and gain more experience. But following the departure of several arms and an impressive showing early in spring training, Beeter has rocketed up the depth chart. He has looked especially sharp in nine innings in the spring so far, but spring numbers should always be taken with a grain of salt. What shouldn’t be, however, is the impression he’s made with his teammates. </p>
<p id="IqwQJL">Following Beeter’s three scoreless innings against the Marlins on February 29th, catcher Jose Trevino <a href="https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/clayton-beeter-impresses-yankees-in-start-vs-marlins">raved about his arsenal</a> to MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch. “He’s got some good stuff,” Trevino said. “I like the fastball; I think his offspeed pitches are really good. I think he gets to good locations. Just having conversations with him, he’s a smart kid. He understands what his arsenal is and what he can do with it.” </p>
<p id="Lem6pC">Beeter’s results haven’t gone unnoticed by management either. </p>
<p id="6sxu1O">“I think he’s in here with something to prove,” said skipper Aaron Boone to Hoch. “He’s done a really good job ever since we got him in our organization. That’s a pretty strong showing — night game, he gets the start, and went out there and performed.”</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">February 29th <br>Clayton Beeter <br>3.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K<a href="https://t.co/cV4tdjZnTG">pic.twitter.com/cV4tdjZnTG</a></p>— Frankie G (@FrankieG1998) <a href="https://twitter.com/FrankieG1998/status/1763384439835410659?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2024</a>
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<p id="gSyf5I">Beeter has an uphill battle to make the team out of spring training, but <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/2024/3/18/24103922/yankees-spring-training-roster-battles-starting-rotation-luis-gil-clayton-beeter-bullpen-injuries">not a hopeless one</a>. Cole’s injury has left a large hole to fill in the rotation, especially in this make-or-break year New York has created for themselves. The 25-year-old should not be considered a favorite for that fifth spot, but also shouldn’t be ruled out entirely.</p>
<p id="cpagli">Beeter brings a live arm, nasty stuff, and a crafty arsenal with three plus pitches to the table. The one thing that has troubled Beeter in his professional career is consistent command. When he’s on, he’s near un-hittable. When he’s not, he can get himself into trouble, either with walks or bad location pitches that get hammered. The team has been working with him on improving command since his 2022 arrival, and have been pleased with his progress. Trevino especially has been working with him on trusting his repertoire more, and to pound the strike zone with his plus fastball and slider for more consistent strikes, progress that has shown early in spring.</p>
<p id="wE5m0H">All things considered, barring any more injuries, Beeter most likely will not make the team out of spring training. Gaining more experience down in Triple-A is the best path for him, but an eventual call-up to New York seems more likely than not given his performance and the Yankees’ track record of injuries. When he does make it to the Bronx, Beeter deserves some patience as well, as he has an established track record of slow starts at new levels. How quickly he adjusts is up in the air, but he will bring electric stuff and will rack up a ton of strikeouts. While a relief role may be his future, the Yankees will exhaust every opportunity for him as a starter, both out of intrigue and necessity. While the Cole injury is awful for the team on every level, it might just be the opportunity Beeter needs to establish himself as a major league starter.</p>
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https://www.pinstripealley.com/2024/3/18/24101740/yankees-2024-season-preview-clayton-beeter-gerrit-cole-prospect-starting-pitcher-strikeoutsNick Ahles2024-03-18T10:00:00-04:002024-03-18T10:00:00-04:002024 Preview: Phillies
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<img alt="Los Angeles Angels v Philadelphia Phillies" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ZCBBxnih9V4H0SYX5pdwMg_JeWQ=/0x0:7805x5203/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73215043/1629789569.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Bryce Harper and Trea Turner will look to lead the 2024 Phillies to continued success.</p> <p id="tyQQMY">The <a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a> entered 2023 fresh off an unexpected ride to their first NL pennant since 2009. As is his wont, freewheeling GM Dave Dombrowski spent the offseason adding to an already formidable roster, signing superstar shortstop Trea Turner to an 11-year, $300 million contract.</p>
<p id="tHSX81">Both Turner and his new club struggled mightily out of the gates; as late as June 2nd, Turner had a .648 OPS and the Phillies were seven games below .500. Both turned things around after that, though, as Turner finished with a solid .778 OPS, 3.4 bWAR season and helped lead Philadelphia to a 90-win finish and the top NL Wild Card berth.</p>
<p id="11GEUR"><strong>Philadelphia Phillies</strong><br><strong>2023 record: </strong>90-72 (2nd, NL East; lost in NLCS)<br><strong>2024 FanGraphs projection: </strong>85-77 (2nd, NL East)</p>
<p id="TImFjg">The Phillies picked up where they left off in the playoffs, as dual aces Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola combined for a 2.13 ERA in 50.2 dominant innings. Bryce Harper and Nick Castellanos swatted seven home runs in the NLDS, helping propel the Phillies past a 104-win Braves superteam to the NLCS, where they were upset by a talented, young <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a> squad.</p>
<h3 id="eOKKPH"><strong>Offseason recap</strong></h3>
<p id="jVxfQn">By his standards, it’s been a relatively quiet offseason for Dombrowski. First baseman Rhys Hoskins, starter Michael Lorenzen, and reliever Craig Kimbrel left to free agency. The 30-year-old Nola signed a seven-year, $172 million deal that will tie him to the Phillies for the long haul. The only established big-leaguer added to the roster for 2024 is utilityman Whit Merrifield, who should provide both versatility and durability in his age-35 season.</p>
<p id="0sioPJ">Perhaps the biggest story of the offseason was Harper’s full-time move to first base. The hope is that Harper, who underwent Tommy John surgery after the 2022 season, will be able to stay more consistently healthy and put less wear on his arm at first than he would in the outfield.</p>
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<cite>Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption>Bryce Harper getting in work at first base this spring</figcaption>
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<p id="gbqpCP">Considering Hoskins missed all of last season to injury and Lorenzen was acquired in a mid-season trade, the Phillies are expected to run back an Opening Day roster that is remarkably similar to last year’s. The only major wrinkle would come if they signed Blake Snell or Jordan Montgomery before the season began. <em>The Athletic’s</em> Matt Gelb <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2F5196638%2F2024%2F01%2F12%2Fphillies-offseason-pitching-outfielder-extensions%2F%3Faccess_token%3D13416578%26redirected%3D1&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinstripealley.com%2F2024%2F3%2F18%2F24097977%2Fmlb-season-preview-2024-philadelphia-phillies-bryce-harper-aaron-nola-zack-wheeler-trea-turner" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">reported in January</a> that Philadelphia was out on both starters “barring an unforeseen market collapse,” though their availability this close to the season could constitute exactly that.</p>
<h3 id="9UPdXs"><strong>X-factors</strong></h3>
<p id="x5aK9H">The Phillies’ roster contains an exceptionally high number of safe bets. The performance of veterans like Wheeler, Nola, Harper, Turner, and Kyle Schwarber is pretty easy to project as long as they stay healthy.</p>
<p id="yNsDHB">Among position players, the biggest question mark is Alec Bohm. Bohm was solid if unspectacular at the plate last season, posting a .765 OPS and 105 wRC+. His problem lies on defense. Since entering the league in 2020, Bohm’s -46 DRS ranks dead last in all of baseball regardless of position, three worse than his teammate Schwarber’s. Bohm played in 80 games at first last year, at least in part to mitigate his defensive woes at third. With Schwarber expected to move to DH full-time and Harper sliding over to first, Bohm will likely need to sink or swim at the hot corner this season. Unless the 27-year-old’s defense shows marked improvement — or his bat takes enough of a leap to cover over his defensive metrics — Bohm could quickly find himself a man without a position.</p>
<p id="zBHxA9">On the pitching side, the big question will be the bullpen. After four straight seasons with a negative WAA total out of their relief unit, Philadelphia’s bullpen took a big step forward last year, posting the third-best WAA in baseball (2.7). An All-Star campaign from Kimbrel, who posted a 132 ERA+ in 71 appearances, helped lock down games more consistently. With Kimbrel now in Baltimore, José Alvarado looks like the most likely candidate to claim the closer role. Alvarado was electric when healthy last season, posting a 1.74 ERA and 249 ERA+ on the strength of a 100-mph sinker and elite strikeout, whiff, and chase rates. He only tossed 41.1 innings, though, spending time on the IL twice with elbow issues. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jose Alvarado, Disgusting 101mph Sinker Movement. <a href="https://t.co/ppptldu32V">pic.twitter.com/ppptldu32V</a></p>— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) <a href="https://twitter.com/PitchingNinja/status/1577122890054799361?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2022</a>
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<p id="w7yJMj">Alvarado’s ability to stay on the field and stabilize Philadelphia’s bullpen would go a long way towards establishing their winning formula for 2024.</p>
<h3 id="Rt11Gw"><strong>Best-case scenario</strong></h3>
<p id="aVLeWX">After consecutive deep runs in the playoffs, the expectations are sky-high in Philadelphia. In their best-case scenario, the Phillies compete for the division title all season with the mighty Braves. Wheeler and Nola continue to excel while Taijuan Walker and Ranger Suárez stay healthy and consistent, rounding out one of the deepest rotations in baseball.</p>
<p id="d0qAXp">Harper takes to his new position with aplomb and the Phillies’ array of big bats puts games away early and often. Alvarado cements himself as a full-time closer and the rest of the bullpen is solid enough to keep the unit as a whole above average.</p>
<p id="FQ6Mk8">Whether as division champs or Wild Card entrants, Philadelphia embarks on another run to the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/world-series">World Series</a>, culminating in the third championship in franchise history.</p>
<h3 id="VTKCZC"><strong>Worst-case scenario</strong></h3>
<p id="brFpLk">With the bevy of talent in Philadelphia — and with the <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">Mets</a> and Marlins doing little to reinforce their 2024 rosters — it’s difficult to imaging the Phillies finishing further back than second in the NL East. The clearest path to that outcome would be a deterioration in health. The Phillies’ top three starters (Wheeler, Nola, and Walker) are all in their 30s, as is the heart of their order (Harper, Turner, Schwarber, Castellanos, and J.T. Realmuto). Since none are older than Wheeler’s 34, though, it’s not a cause for major alarm. Unless Murphy’s Law strikes Philadelphia, the Phillies are likely to return to the postseason even if they have to withstand a key injury or two.</p>
<p id="hKgqz0">Therefore, the likely worst-case scenario here is an early playoff exit, with Wheeler and Nola’s historic run of postseason dominance coming to an end and a makeshift bullpen struggling to stop the bleeding as the Phillies get outslugged.</p>
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https://www.pinstripealley.com/2024/3/18/24097977/mlb-season-preview-2024-philadelphia-phillies-bryce-harper-aaron-nola-zack-wheeler-trea-turnerNick Power