The New York Yankees faced a double blow this offseason after losing longtime second baseman Gleyber Torres to free agency and seeing a high-stakes trade proposal collapse. In January, the Yankees explored a blockbuster deal to acquire three-time All-Star Carlos Correa from the Minnesota Twins, offering a package headlined by top pitching prospects **Will Warren** and **Chase Hampton**. The deal fell through—and now Hampton’s 2025 season is over before it began.
**Tommy John Surgery Ends Hampton’s Season**
The 23-year-old right-hander underwent unexpected Tommy John surgery on Friday after an MRI revealed a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his pitching elbow. Yankees manager Aaron Boone confirmed the worst-case scenario, noting Hampton opted for immediate surgery despite it sidelining him for at least 12 months.
“He’s dealt with injuries the past year, so I think there’s some relief in finally addressing this,” Boone said. “It’s a long road back, but his talent remains undeniable.”
**Prospect Profile Takes a Hit**
Hampton, a 2022 sixth-round pick out of Texas Tech, rocketed through the Yankees’ farm system in 2023. After dominating High-A with a 2.68 ERA in nine starts, he earned a promotion to Double-A Somerset, where he posted a 4.37 ERA with 68 strikeouts in 59.2 innings. Despite an injury-marred 2024 (just seven minor league starts), he entered 2025 as the Yankees’ No. 6 overall prospect and their second-ranked pitcher behind Warren, who debuted in the majors last year.
Analysts projected Hampton as a potential mid-rotation starter, praising his low-90s fastball and glimpses of dominance in 2023. However, his timeline is now reset, leaving the Yankees without a key depth arm as they navigate the grueling MLB season.
**Ripple Effects for the Yankees**
The loss of Hampton exacerbates New York’s pitching uncertainty. With Torres gone and the Correa trade collapsing, the Yankees’ reliance on internal prospects grows—making Hampton’s absence a significant setback. As teams increasingly depend on farm systems to bolster rotations, New York must now look elsewhere to fill the void left by their sidelined prospect.
For Hampton, the focus shifts to recovery. His journey back to the mound begins now, but the Yankees’ 2025 plans just got a lot more complicated.
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