When the New York Yankees selected Stanford right-hander Brendan Beck in the 2021 MLB Draft, they believed they had found a fast-track prospect. Calm, calculated, and cerebral on the mound, Beck drew early comparisons to fellow Stanford alum and Yankees legend Mike Mussina. While he didn’t possess overpowering stuff, his mid-90s fastball and unshakable poise projected him as a future mid-rotation mainstay.
But things didn’t go according to plan.
Beck underwent Tommy John surgery shortly after trying to gear up for his pro debut, derailing any hopes of a quick ascent. Though he returned in 2023 to throw 34 impressive innings with a 1.59 ERA, his momentum was once again halted by another surgery that sidelined him for all of 2024.
That setback might have been the end of the road for some—but not for Beck.
Now 26, Beck has come out firing to start the 2025 season with Double-A Somerset. Through three starts and 15 innings, he’s yet to allow an earned run, giving up just five hits, striking out 13, and walking only two. His second outing was particularly eye-catching: six hitless innings against Altoona, earning him Eastern League Pitcher of the Week honors.
After nearly two years away from meaningful competition, Beck’s return has been nothing short of stunning. It’s one thing to show flashes during spring training; it’s another to dominate at a level he’s never reached before.
Given his age, college pedigree, and now resurgent performance, a fast-track promotion to Triple-A isn’t out of the question. The Yankees spent much of their 2024 draft replenishing pitching depth, but Beck’s emergence is a bonus gift they didn’t expect—yet desperately needed.
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