Yankees MILB 10/16: Where are they now?

A look at the prospects the Yankees have traded/lost over the last several years. This list is comprehensive (in my opinion) but likely not complete. So many prospects are lost to minor league free agency or latch on somewhere after the Yankees release them. Impossible to keep up with all of them.

The Ryan McMahon deal:

LHP Griffin Herring – I feel as if people are already freaking out too much over Herring. There is zero doubt that the 22-year-old impressed for Spokane (High-A) after the Rockies acquired him, but it’s still High-A. His entire debut season was impressive (a 1.89 ERA in 119.1 innings will always stand out), but let’s not proclaim him as the next Tarik Skubal just yet.

RHP Josh Grosz – Given Herring’s quick ascension, it’s easy to forget Grosz. While he pitched poorly for Spokane, there is talent (though erratic) in the 23-year-old’s arm.

Bottom Line: The Yankees were getting nothing out of third base, other than the brief time Jazz Chisholm Jr. spent there. Going into the deadline, three third basemen stood out:  Offensive-minded Eugenio Suarez + defensive-first Ryan McMahon, and Ke’Bryan Hayes. Hayes, who has Platinum Glove dreams, was sent off to Cincinnati while Suarez made his way to Seattle. While Hayes was better offensively in Cincinnati than he was in Pittsburgh, that wasn’t a high bar to cross. Suarez hit only .189 for the Mariners, though it did come with 13 homers and a .428 SLG. I don’t think any of the three teams were disappointed in their acquisitions.

The David Bednar deal:

C/1B Rafael Flores – The Pirates gave Flores 17 plate appearances at the end of the season, and he went 3-for-15 with a pair of doubles. He started four games at first base and one at catcher.

C Edgleen Perez – All season, I urged people to have patience with Perez, given his age (18 to start the season), level (Low-A), and position (catcher). After hitting .209/.369/.235 for Tampa, he put up a .182/.361/.218 triple slash for Bradenton. He needs to tap into some power to have any chance, but a teenager compiling as many walks as strikeouts (84) in a full-season league is impressive and something to build on. He’s a long-range prospect.

OF Brian Sanchez – The 20-year-old hit an impressive .281/.373/.438 in 63 games for Tampa. However, he was on the injured list at the time of the trade and never appeared in a game for the Pittsburgh organization.

Bottom Line: The Yankees gave up a few solid prospects in this trade. However, Bednar proved that he can handle the closer role in New York. No Yankees fan can complain.

The Camilo Doval deal:

C/1B Jesus Rodriguez – One of the most impressive “hit for average” prospects in the Yankees’ system, Rodriguez kept that up for Triple-A Sacramento, hitting .322/.399/.401 in 173 plate appearances.  His .319 Triple-A batting average ranked 8th amongst all qualified players (134), and his 126 wRC+ ranked 21st.

RHP Trystan Vrieling – It’s rare for a Yankees’ pitching prospect to begin his journey in Double-A, but that is what Vrieling did in 2024. An injury limited his 2025 campaign, and he tossed only 28 innings over seven starts after the trade. He compiled a 5.14 ERA and 29/10 K/BB.

1B/3B Parks Harber – An early-season standout in the Yankees’ system, Harber was slowed only by an injury. Upon landing in High-A Eugene, he hit .333/.454/.644 in 108 plate appearances. While we expect college bats to dominate in A-ball, not all do. Harber has conquered that challenge.

LHP Carlos De La Rosa – An interesting 17-year-old, De La Rosa owned a 4.73 ERA in 32.1 innings for the DSL Yankees/Giants. This was his debut campaign. The pure definition of a lottery ticket.

Bottom Line: We saw it. Doval has nasty stuff and made his presence known in the Division Series. In what can only be described as postseason madness, he hasn’t allowed a walk in seven career postseason innings (11.3% career walk rate in the regular season). We should like what we see. As for the package given up, Rodriguez will make the big leagues, and all four can potentially be useful.

The Jake Bird deal:

2B Roc Riggio – A favorite among Yankees’ prospect followers (his name + his “edginess” + his pull power = drool), Riggio was OK for Double-A Hartford (.256/.346/.389 with two home runs in 26 games). While the Yankees tried him out at shortstop for a handful of 2024 games, he didn’t play there this year. Being anchored to second base limits his value somewhat. Can he develop into a regular there?

LHP Ben Shields – Due to a late start to his professional career, Shields will be 27 years old when camp opens in February. He put up a 2.33 ERA and 24/6 K/BB over 19.1 innings for Double-A Hartford.

Bottom Line: This move didn’t work out for the Yankees’ front office. Bird is still under team control, however, and will look for a bounce back in 2026.

The Amed Rosario deal:

RHP Clayton Beeter – Beeter was never going to get a long look with the Yankees. That isn’t a knock on the Yankees. Anyway, the Nationals had room for him, and he pitched well. He compiled 0.5 fWAR and a 2.49 ERA (2.72 FIP) and 38.1% K over 21.2 innings. The knock continues to be the walks (16.7%).

OF Browm Martinez – Martinez, who was off to a hot 18-game start before landing on the IL for the DSL Bombers, will wait until 2026 to make his debut for the Nationals’ organization.

Bottom Line: Rosario performed well in the role he was acquired for. Will the Yankees be interested in bringing him back? As for the Nationals, Beeter could be a late-inning option if he can cut down on the walks somewhat.

The Austin Slater deal:

RHP Gage Ziehl – The 4th round pick in the 2024 draft compiled a 4.01 ERA in 24.2 innings for High-A Winston-Salem. He struck out 20 while walking six. He is a command/control pitcher with 4th/5th starter upside. For the White Sox, he was worth acquiring for a veteran platoon bat.

Bottom Line: Slater injured his hamstring early in his Yankees tenure and wasn’t a factor upon returning. He went 3-for-25 with two RBI and 16 strikeouts. At least he threw 0.2 scoreless innings. This was a move that looked good on paper but will likely be forgotten over time.

The Jose Caballero deal:

OF Everson Pereira – Once a hyped prospect in the Yankees’ system, Pereira hasn’t been able to get much going in the majors. After being traded to the Rays, he hit .138/.219/.246 in 73 plate appearances. On the bright side, he did launch his first two career home runs.

Bottom Line: The Yankees needed a player like Caballero. He offers versatility and speed. While not likely to be the bat he was in his small Yankees’ sample, can he repeat the 94 OPS+ he compiled between the Yankees and Rays this year?  It’s possible, given that his number was 92 for the 2023 Mariners.

The Oswald Peraza deal:

OF Wilberson De Pena – The rare trade where the Yankees receive the prospect for the MLB player.  De Pena is only 18 and went 4-for-28 with one of the Yankees’ DSL squads after the trade.

Bottom Line: It’s safe to say that I am disappointed in Peraza’s progress. He hit only .186/.245/.267 in 35 games for the Angels, hitting a pair of home runs while going 6-for-6 stealing bases. To further kill his value, he appeared 17 times at first base. One spot on the field where Peraza should never play is first base.

The Devin Williams deal:

IF Caleb Durbin – Durbin struggled out of the gate in Milwaukee, but was able to turn it around to put together a decent season for the surprising Brewers. As the primary third baseman, he hit .256/.334/.387 (105 wRC+) over 506 plate appearances. He hit 11 home runs, stole 18 bases (75%), and struck out only 9.9% of the time. The “under-the-hood” Savant data is a mixed bag. As you may suspect, it loves his K%, Chase%, and Whiff%. It isn’t as fond of his exit velocity and bat speed.

Bottom Line: Williams had his share of struggles, but has pitched well down the stretch. As for Durbin, the Brewers were looking for a spark when they brought him up early in the season. While it is foolish to say that Durbin is the reason why they surged, he definitely contributed to it.

The  Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz deal:

C Carlos Narvaez – Unlike Durbin, Narvaez started hot but cooled off as the season went on. The result was a .241/.306/.419 (97 wRC+) line with 15 home runs over 446 plate appearances. When we break that down, however, he hit .273/.347/.439 in the first half and .187/.233/.387 in the second half. While his offense declined, his defense remained strong. He emerged as one of the game’s top defensive catchers and is a Gold Glove finalist. The Yankees Catching Factory creates another one.

Bottom Line: This is a deal that will take some time to mature. Rodriguez-Cruz emerged as one of the top prospects in the Yankees’ system with his combination of strikeouts and ground balls. Meanwhile, the Yankees used the International Bonus Pool money to help secure SS Stiven Marinez.

The Enyel De Los Santos deal:

OF Brandon Lockridge – The Padres shipped Lockridge to the Brewers in a deal for Nestor Cortes.  Lockridge played in 20 games for Milwaukee, hitting .261/.308/.370 in 52 plate appearances. He went 2-for-2 stealing bases.

The Yankees also picked up relief prospect Thomas Balboni Jr., who missed the season.

Bottom Line: A nothingburger of a trade. De Los Santos pitched in 65 games for the Braves and Astros in 2025, compiling a 4.36 ERA (3.82 FIP) over 66 innings with a 22.1% K, 8.6% BB, and 32.8% GB. For as long as Lockridge can play defense and run, he will likely get MLB chances off the bench.

The Mark Leiter Jr. deal:

RHP Jack Neely – Neely isn’t doing much to make the Yankees regret this deal. After making his MLB debut in 2024, he spent 2025 in the minors. While his strikeout rate remains strong, his walk rate is not improving.

IF Ben Cowles – Cowles, who was waived by the Cubs and picked up by the White Sox in September, did not fare well in Triple-A, compiling a .238/.304/.382 (75 wRC+) line over 462 plate appearances. He was 16-for-22 stealing bases while playing 2B/SS/3B.

Bottom Line: Leiter Jr. was one of the unluckiest relievers in baseball. That wasn’t enough to convince the Yankees to use him in the postseason. The package given up is not hurting the Yankees.

The Jazz Chisholm Jr. deal:

C/1B Agustin Ramirez – Sometimes, scouting reports don’t hold up (Austin Wells becoming a strong defensive catcher and a not-so-great offensive catcher being an example). In the case of Ramirez, the reports are accurate thus far. The power was there (21 home runs), though the rest of his offensive game lagged (.231/.287/.413; 91 wRC+). The defense was so bad that his OK-ish offensive profile lifted him to a 0.0 fWAR.  Unless the Marlins believe there is something to unlock, they need to consider a different position.

2B/SS Jared Serna – Trading a prospect at peak value isn’t easy. The Yankees may have accomplished that with Serna, who was hitting .253/.341/.444 with 13 home runs at the time of the 2024 trade. This year was a struggle – as in, a crash and burn. He hit .224/.310/.279 in 111 games between Double-A and Triple-A.  Ouch.

IF Abrahan Ramirez – In his first taste of full-season ball, Ramirez did OK. He hit .238/.372/.302 (105 wRC+) with 46 RBI and 14 stolen bases.

Bottom Line:  Chisholm Jr. plays strong defense and put together a 30/30 campaign. He has his warts, but he is one of the best second basemen in baseball (4th in fWAR). I am intrigued to see what the Marlins do with Agustin Ramirez going forward.

The JT Brubaker deal:

IF Keiner Delgado – Delgado (21) played the entire season at High-A, compiling a .243/.370/.389 (124 wRC+) line with nine homers and 27 stolen bases. The Pirates added third base to his 2B/SS profile (he briefly played third in the Yankees’ organization).

Bottom Line: Strong deal by the Pirates. Brubaker had injury issues and eventually got caught up in a numbers game after all the deadline acquisitions. He finished the season in the Giants’ bullpen.

The Jon Berti deal:

OF John Cruz – After a big 2023 season, the Yankees shipped Cruz to the Marlins. I was still on Twitter at the time, and the reaction was crazy. I would love to look back on some of those takes now, as Cruz has crashed as a prospect. After hitting .168/.259/.212 in his first taste of A-Ball in 2024, he spent most of 2025 back in the Complex League. That didn’t help him, as he hit .211/.358/.284 in 134 plate appearances.

Bottom Line: Berti had a chance to be a useful player for the Yankees, but injuries crushed his 2024 campaign. After receiving only 107 plate appearances in 51 games, he was released by the Cubs in August. This deal will fade into the sunset.

The Caleb Ferguson deal:

RHP Christian Zazueta – I won’t delete this trade from my report because Zazueta has shown life in the Dodgers’ organization. In 16 Low-A starts, he went 7-2 with a 2.44 ERA in 66.1 innings with an 80/16 K/BB. He just turned 21.

Bottom Line: Ferguson was supposed to be a swing-and-miss lefty for the Yankees, but it didn’t work out. He was eventually traded to the Astros (for relief prospect Kelly Austin) before pitching for the Pirates and Mariners in 2025. He has not pitched well in the postseason for Seattle, but it is interesting to note that the Pirates acquired a prospect named Jeter Martinez in the transaction.

The Victor Gonzalez/Jorbit Vivas deal:

SS Trey Sweeney – Sweeney could not hold on to the Tigers’ shortstop job, as he hit an abysmal .196/.258/.291 in 326 plate appearances. His -0.8 bWAR dropped his career number to -0.1

Bottom Line:  Gonzalez was another left-handed disaster for the 2024 Yankees, while Vivas played a shuttle role in 2025, hitting a home run in a 1-0 Yankees win over the Rangers at one point. He is out of options in 2026. It will be intriguing to see what the Tigers do with Sweeney heading into next season. Javier Baez isn’t so great himself, but has two years and $48 million left on his deal.

The Juan Soto deal:

RHP Drew Thorpe – Thorpe was expected to return at some point in 2025 after having bone spur surgery last September. However, it wasn’t meant to be as Thorpe ended up needing Tommy John surgery in March. If all goes well, he should see a rehab mound sometime in the first half of 2026.

RHP Jhony Brito – Brito, who also missed 2025 to injury, gave the Yankees 90.1 solid innings in 2023. That likely increased his value on the market, and he gave the Padres 43.2 average-ish innings in 2024.

RHP Randy Vasquez – It was fascinating watching how the Padres utilized Vasquez. For most of the 2025 campaign, he was averaging fewer than five innings per start. In September, however, they allowed him to stretch out, and he rewarded them with seven shutout innings against the Brewers in his final start of the season (he made one relief appearance after that). It all added up to a 3.84 ERA (4.85 FIP) over 133.2 innings. While Vasquez could be a decent innings-eater type, the peripherals were messy: A 13.7% K, 9.1% BB, and 39.7% GB.

RHP Michael King – While not a “prospect,” it feels fitting to include King in this report. Looking at a 9-digit free agent deal this winter, King picked a poor time to have an injury-shortened campaign (especially considering that he wasn’t always a pillar of health with the Yankees). While still solid in 15 starts, he fell off from his 2024 campaign. Someone will still pay for the talent, but how much has he cost himself?

Bottom Line: The Yankees didn’t win a World Series with Soto, nor did they re-sign him.  However, that’s a trade you make 100 times out of 100.

The Alex Verdugo deal:

RHP Richard Fitts – Battling injuries and ineffectiveness, Fitts pitched to a 5.00 ERA (5.80 FIP) over 45 innings. He missed more bats, but his K% (20.5) was below league average. His ceiling likely remains that of a bottom-of-the-rotation starter.

RHP Nicholas Judice – Judice started the season in Low-A, and it was a disaster (16 walks in 3.1 innings!). He is on the 7-day injured list.  I don’t have much more to say beyond that.

RHP Greg Weissert – Weissert was a workhorse in the Red Sox bullpen, pitching in 72 games in various roles (he finished 11, saving four). While not a strikeout artist, he compiled a 2.82 ERA (3.67 FIP) while generating a 41.1% GB rate.

Bottom Line: Verdugo was a disaster and finished the 2025 campaign jobless after a horrible 56-game stretch with the Braves (.239/.296/.289). Weissert has pitched in 134 games in two seasons for the Red Sox, providing cheap value.

The Keynan Middleton deal:

RHP Juan Carela – Carela is another traded pitching prospect who missed 2025 to injury. This is a brutal sport.

Bottom Line: Speaking of injuries, Middleton hasn’t pitched since his 2023 stint with the Yankees. He signed with the Cardinals prior to 2024 but remained a free agent for the entire 2025 campaign. We’ll see if he lands on his feet in 2026.

The Frankie Montas deal:

LHP Ken Waldichuk – The injury bug hasn’t escaped Waldichuk, who hasn’t thrown a big league pitch since 2023. After missing all of 2024, the 27-year-old pitched in 51 innings for Triple-A Las Vegas, compiling an 8.65 ERA and 64/42 K/BB. It’s not fun pitching in Las Vegas or the PCL in general, but that’s a disaster.

RHP Luis Medina – Another Tommy John victim, Medina missed the entire 2025 season. Once one of the most talented pitchers in the Yankees organization, injuries and ineffectiveness have considerably stalled his career.

LHP JP Sears – Typically speaking, being traded to a contender is a welcome opportunity for most players. For Sears, going from the Athletics to the Padres came with a demotion to Triple-A. That said, he made it back for five late-season starts, compiling a 5.47 ERA (6.18 FIP) over 24.2 innings. Unlike other traded youngsters, Sears has stayed healthy. He started 86 games in 2.5 seasons for the Athletics, providing stability in an organization that lacks it. I think he will sustain an MLB career, and the Padres have team control through 2028 if they decide to keep him.

IF Cooper Bowman – Bowman’s Baseball Reference picture shows him with a Reds cap on, although he has never been in the Reds organization. Anyway, playing in a souped-up environment in Las Vegas didn’t help him, as he hit only .236/.326/.375. On a better note, he stole 21 bases in 22 attempts and is 163-for-180 (90.6%) in his minor league career.

Bottom Line: Montas conned the Mets out of $34M last winter. He was ineffective and will miss the 2026 season. As for this trade, I don’t think the Yankees fret about any of the prospects they gave away, but this was a massive flop.

The Scott Effross deal:

RHP Hayden Wesneski -The Astros acquired Wesneski as part of the Kyle Tucker trade last winter. Using him in the rotation after the Cubs had him work out of the bullpen, he was 1-3 with a 4.50 ERA in six starts with a 22.1% K and 4.6% BB. However, you guessed it – he is now on the injured list. He will require Tommy John surgery.

Bottom Line: Effross seemed like a savvy acquisition. He was an effective reliever who got a late start to his career, meaning he would be cheap throughout his prime. Injuries destroyed that dream, and one wonders if he will survive on the 40-man roster this offseason.

The Andrew Benintendi deal:

I won’t go into detail anymore. Pitchers Beck Way, Chandler Champlain, and T.J. Sikkema have all made it to Triple-A, but are spinning their wheels. Maybe they will receive MLB opportunities, but none of them have progressed much.

The Jose Trevino deal

LHP Robby Ahlstrom – Drafted by the Yankees out of Oregon, Ahlstrom never threw a pitch for the organization. He has steadily moved up the chain for the Rangers and put up a 3.59 ERA in 52.2 relief innings for Triple-A Round Rock. Making it to MLB is not out of the realm of possibilities.

Bottom Line: Trevino won a Platinum Glove after this trade and was used to fortify the bullpen when the Yankees acquired Fernando Cruz for him. Ahlstrom making it to MLB would be a nice development win for the Rangers, but the Yankees aren’t fretting this transaction.

The Clay Holmes deal:

Utility players Hoy Park and Diego Castillo are not worth writing much about. Castillo was still making MLB appearances in 2024 and was even in the Yankees organization for a few weeks in January of that year.

Bottom Line: Holmes had his share of peaks and valleys, but this was a masterclass trade by the Yankees.

The Andrew Heaney deal:

RHP Janson Junk – Junk received a long audition for the 2025 Marlins, pitching to a 4.17 ERA (3.15 FIP) over 110 innings. The key to his success was an absurdly low walk rate (2.9%) and average ground ball rate (40.5). He can be a cheap bottom-of-the-rotation starter for them going forward, as he won’t be a free agent until after the 2030 campaign.

RHP Elvis Peguero – Peguero has found his way to the White Sox, where he threw a pair of innings this season.

Bottom Line: The Yankees thought they could unlock something with Heaney, but it didn’t work out. After spending most of 2025 with the Pirates, he signed on with the Dodgers in September. That’s one way to earn a World Series ring.

The Anthony Rizzo deal:

RHP Alexander Vizcaino – Vizcaino has been out of affiliated ball since 2021.

OF Kevin Alcantara – Alcantara, one of the top prospects the Yankees have traded over the past several years, appeared in ten games for the Cubs, going 4-for-11. Although no longer on the Pipeline Top 100 (likely due to prospect fatigue), he remains a legitimate prospect. Will the 23-year-old get a chance to compete for a job in 2026?  It’s possible, especially if the Cubs lose Kyle Tucker.

Bottom Line: Until his concussion, Rizzo was a presence in the Yankees’ lineup. I don’t complain about this transaction, even with Alcantara’s potential.

The Joey Gallo deal:

RHP Glenn Otto – Otto hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2023 or at any level since 2024. He is now a member of the Astros’ organization.

UTIL Ezequiel Duran – Duran was a big piece (in the first half) during the Rangers’ 2023 World Series campaign. Since that first half? Life hasn’t been easy. In 2025, he hit only .224/.266/.293 in 219 plate appearances with 11 stolen bases in 13 attempts. His value is in his versatility, as he played first base, second base, shortstop, third base, left field, and right field this season. Heck, he even pitched in four games, tossing 3.1 scoreless innings.

UTIL Josh H. Smith – On the shortlist of prospects the Yankees wish they held onto,g Smith ranks highly. In 2024, he earned the Silver Slugger for utility players by hitting .258/.337/.394 in 592 plate appearances. This season, once again playing several positions, he hit .251/.335/.366 (100 wRC+) with 12 stolen bases. Additionally, his K% dropped under 20 (17.8%). He’s durable, productive, and plays everywhere you ask. He is a solid ballplayer who figures to have a lengthy career.

UTIL Trevor Hauver – Hauver had a good season in Triple-A (.275/.391/.446), though it was his second season at the level. While drafted as an infielder, he is now exclusively a corner outfielder.

Bottom Line: Smith has been gold for the Rangers. What a pickup. Duran has been useful due to his versatility, but the bat hasn’t developed. The Rangers go to bed at night dreaming they can make more deals like this one.

The Jameson Taillon deal:

RHP Roansy Contreras was a Yankee for a few weeks last winter, when he was shuffling around on 40-man rosters (he was selected off waivers five times between October 31st and February 7th). The Orioles, figuring that Contreras missed the waiver wire, waived him in September, and he ended up in Colorado. Was all the movement worth it? While he earned service time (always a plus), he appeared in only five big league games.

RHP Miguel Yajure is pitching in Japan, while OF Canaan Smith-Njigba didn’t appear anywhere in 2025. Infielder Maikol Escotto made it as high as Double-A in 2025, where he hit .135/.211/.198 in 142 plate appearances.

Bottom Line: Taillon didn’t stand out, but was a productive pitcher for the Yankees. They do not regret this transaction.

Others:

RHP Yoendrys Gomez – After a brief stint with the Dodgers, Gomez found a home with the desperate White Sox. In 12 games (9 starts) with Chicago, he compiled a 4.84 ERA (4.85 FIP) over 48.1 innings with a 22.6% K and 7.1% BB. While those are solid rates, he was hurt by the long ball (9 HR allowed for the White Sox; 12 in 62.2 innings overall). It’s always nice to see a kid get an extended look.

OF Grant Richardson – After being released by the Yankees, Richardson found a home with the Marlins, where he hit .237/.288/.454 with six home runs in 28 Double-A games. He ended the season on the 60-day injured list.

RHP Ryan Harvey – After being released by the Yankees’ organization in February, Harvey latched on with the Tigers. He pitched in 14 minor league games, compiling a 2.79 ERA in 19.1 innings.

RHP Osiel Rodriguez – The Yankees’ giving up on Rodriguez surprised some. Those who were surprised were likely shocked when he didn’t latch on anywhere else. He ended up in the Mexican League, where he posted a 7.22 ERA in 33.2 innings. While very young for the league, Rodriguez’s career has gone from promising prospect to uncertain future in a hurry.

LHP Josh Maciejewski – Maciejewski pitched the entire season in the Brewers’ organization, posting a 5.20 ERA over 69.2 innings. Last season, the numbers game worked in favor of the left-hander as he pitched in four games for the Yankees, posting a 2.57 ERA over seven innings. Whether he makes it back to MLB or not, he will always have that.

C Anthony Seigler – The once intriguing catching prospect (and Yankees first round pick), Seigler reached the majors with the Brewers in 2025, posting a .194/.292/.210 triple slash over 34 games. He played 25 games at third base and one each at catcher and first base. He also tossed an inning of scoreless relief.

RHP Mitch Spence – Like Garrett Whitlock, Spence was taken away from the Yankees in the Rule 5 draft. In 2024, he rewarded the Athletics with 151.1 innings of 4.58 ERA (4.21 FIP) pitching. In 2025, he pitched out of the rotation and bullpen, compiling a 5.10 ERA (5.10 FIP) over 84.2 innings. Spence is an example of why the Rule 5 draft exists.

RHP Matt Sauer – Sauer, signed as a minor league free agent by the Dodgers, will get his paws on a ring if the Dodgers win it all. He appeared in ten games (one start) for Los Angeles, posting a 6.37 ERA over 29.2 innings.

RHP Carson Coleman – Coleman, who was lost to the Rangers in the Rule 5 draft in 2023, was returned to the Yankees before the 2025 season. Why did it take that long? The Rule 5 draft rules include provisions that prevent teams from simply stashing a player on the injured list all year. He spent the entire 2024 campaign on the injured list, so the Rangers did not retain his rights. He was offered back to the Yankees last November and pitched well in 17 games.

1B/3B Andres Chaparro – Whenever the Yankees struggled to generate offense in MLB, Chaparro’s name came up. The Yankees never gave him a chance, and he signed with the Nationals as a minor league free agent. While he hit his first MLB home run against his former squad, he hasn’t made the Yankees regret not using him. He is hitting .203/.268/.358 in 205 career plate appearances.

LHP Matt Krook – Krook has built a decent Immaculate Grid resume, as he has pitched for three teams (Yankees, Orioles, Athletics) over the last three years. He is now a member of the Guardians organization, where he posted a 3.18 ERA in 34 Triple-A innings. The 30-year-old is on their 40-man roster.

UTIL Oliver Dunn – The Yankees’ 11th-round pick in 2019, Dunn has played in 55 games for the Brewers over the last two years, hitting .206/.261/.290. Dunn was taken off the 40-man roster in August, but remains in the Brewers organization.

1B Eric Wagaman – Wagaman was given an extended look by the Marlins, playing in 140 games. He hit .250/.296/.378 with 28 doubles, 9 home runs, and 53 RBI while playing the “four corners” (only 12 innings at third base and five in right field, however). The 28-year-old’s future value may be as a lefty masher, as he hit .283/.321/.462 in 184 plate appearances against southpaws.

UTIL Mickey Gasper – Gasper was a fun “overachiever” to cover when he was with the Yankees. Since leaving the organization, he has appeared in 58 games for the Red Sox and Twins, compiling a .133/.250/.195 triple slash over 133 plate appearances. For the Twins this year, he played catcher, first base, second base, and four innings in left field. He offers a unique utility profile, given his ability to catch, but the bat hasn’t shown life.

C/1B Josh Breaux – Known for his power when he was in the Yankees’ organization, Breaux hit only three home runs in 51 games between the Phillies’ Double-A and Triple-A affiliates this season. He spent time on the injured and development lists.

1B Dermis Garcia – After receiving a 39-game tryout with the 2022 Oakland Athletics, Garcia hasn’t sniffed MLB. He spent 2024 in the Nationals’ organization and went to the plate eight times for the Charleston Dirty Birds (independent) in 2025.  I hope he invested his $1,000,000+ signing bonus wisely (or I hope those who advised him didn’t steal too much of it).

RHP Deivi Garcia – Why does it seem like so many Yankees’ minor league players find their way to Milwaukee? Garcia’s chances of making it back to MLB are slim to none, as he pitched to a 5.45 ERA in 33 innings for the Brewers’ Triple-A affiliate in Nashville.

RHP Brooks Kriske – Kriske continues to receive MLB opportunities, which is good for his pension plan. In 2025, he split his time between the Cubs and Twins, compiling a 7.50 ERA over 16 innings, which was his highest MLB workload over the course of a season. He has now pitched for the Yankees, Orioles, Royals, Cubs, and Twins during his MLB career.

RHP Zack Littell – Jaime Garcia has been out of baseball since 2018. The two pitchers the Yankees gave up for him continue their professional journeys. The most successful one has been Littell, who has 234 games (79 starts) of big league experience over eight seasons. This year, while pitching for the Rays and Reds, he compiled a 3.81 ERA (4.88 FIP) in 32 starts (186.2 innings). Limiting walks is the key to his staying power, as he doesn’t strike out many or generate an extreme ground ball rate.

LHP Dietrich Enns – Like cicadas, Enns appears in MLB on a strict schedule (every four years). This was the year for him to reappear, and he posted a 4.08 ERA (3.68 FIP) over 46.1 innings for the Tigers and Orioles. He was the second pitcher traded for Garcia.

IF Thairo Estrada – Dropped for nothing after the 2020 season, the Giants recieved three productive seasons at a cheap cost from Estrada. From 2021-2023, he hit .266/.320/.416 (105 OPS+) over 1,203 plate appearances. Estrada hasn’t been the same since and played 2025 as a member of the Colorado Rockies (.253/.285/.370 in 39 games).

UTIL Tyler Wade – Yes, Wade still has an MLB role. Yes, he still can’t hit a lick. Wade’s versatility is what feeds his family, as he is a career .216/.294/.284 hitter in 992 plate appearances. Furthermore, while speed was always a plus tool, he has only one double-digit stolen base campaign (17 with the 2021 Yankees). He has spent the last two seasons with the Padres.