The Yankees are seeing significant improvement from right-handed pitching prospect Will Warren this spring. After missing out on a rotation spot last season and being sent back to Triple-A, the 25-year-old has returned with a new mindset and a more refined approach.
“I feel like last year, I kind of let that dwindle, and that’s probably why I didn’t have the success I wanted throughout the year,” Warren said, according to Greg Joyce of the New York Post.
Warren struggled during his first stint in the big leagues, posting a 10.32 ERA over 22.2 innings in 2024. Despite an impressive strikeout rate of 11.51 per nine innings, his control and consistency were lacking. He later acknowledged that the mental side of the game impacted his performance, leading to subpar results.
This spring, however, Warren has focused on taking things one step at a time, and the improvement is clear. He has posted a 2.87 ERA over 15.2 innings. While his strikeout numbers remain solid, the biggest area of growth has been his control, walking just 1.72 batters per nine innings—his best rate to date. Additionally, his ground ball rate is 52.5%, which is a key stat for the Yankees given his ability to generate weak contact with a powerful sinker. His slider continues to be a dominant pitch, and his overall pitch mix is evolving.
Will Warren Warren got another opportunity to show his progress in Saturday’s tie against the Tampa Bay Rays. He started strong but faced trouble in the fifth inning, allowing consecutive singles before being pulled by manager Aaron Boone. Unfortunately, the bullpen couldn’t contain the situation, leading to an increase in Warren’s ERA.
Despite this setback, Boone was impressed, noting that Warren simply ran out of gas toward the end of his outing.
“I thought Will was good,” Boone said after the game. “He probably ran out of gas a little bit there at the end, not quite the same power and sink in that last inning as he had earlier. I loved how he mixed his two-seam and four-seam today. Overall, another good day for him.”
A Numbers Game for the Yankees’ Rotation
Warren has done everything possible to secure a rotation spot, but the final decision may hinge on roster management.
Carlos Carrasco, also vying for the last rotation spot, is on a minor league deal, which adds complexity to the situation. If the Yankees don’t add Carrasco to the roster, he could opt out and sign with another team, leaving them short on pitching depth.
Alternatively, Carrasco could agree to begin the season in Triple-A with the expectation of a quick recall, which would open the door for Warren to claim the fifth starter role.
Leave a Reply