Could Patriots provide boost to Yankees' pitching rotation?

Baseball, Featured, Professional, Somerset Patriots

May 16, 2023

Bridgewater, NJ -- The Somerset Patriots are off to a hot start this season. Just about a quarter into the season and the Patriots pitching has been absolutely solid. Could the Somerset Patriots provide a boost to the New York Yankees? The Yankees have been struggling as of late with injuries to their pitching staff, first was Frankie Montas with shoulder injury and now most recently their best two starters Carlos Rodon and Luis Severino.

Severino is set to begin his rehab assignment in Somerset on Tuesday, May 16th and Tommy Kahnle will also begin rehabbing Thursday in Tampa, then possibly moving to Scranton or Somerset later this week. The Yankees are in dire straights with a shaky rotation and were sitting with an away record of 7-9. This week they have a four-game set in Toronto, and Jimmy Cordero started in the series opener which Yankees haven't done since Lucas Luetge in 2021. Here is a summary of the top pitching performers at Somerset to date.

Top Pitching Performers

Will Warren is the 2nd ranked pitcher in the Yankees farm after he was selected by the Yankees in the 8th round of the 2021 MLB Draft. His strikeout rate is 32.2% and BABIP is .371. Warren has great stats so far with a 3-0 record in six games with 29.1 IP, 39 SO, 2.45 ERA and 1.30 WHIP. He is currently ranked fourth in strikeout percentage at 32.2%. Notes: This year at Yankees MLB Spring Training, Warren threw two scoreless innings vs. Atlanta, allowing one hit. Pitches: Fastball (92-95), Cutter, Changeup (low-80s), Curveball (mid-70s), Slider (85-88)

Clayton Beeter has impressed. Currently ranked as the sixth Yankees pitching prospect, Beeter came to Yankees via Gallo trade on 8/2/2022. His stats this season are solid with a 3.14 ERA, 28.2 IP, 38 SO and 1.40 WHIP, over six games with a 2-2 record. Beeter had the best outing of any Yankees prospect so far as he allowed three hits in 6 2/3 shutout innings last month. He's turned in two great starts and is among their best pitching prospects. Notes: In Beeter's second start of the season (55th career game) on 4/14 @BNG, he earned his first professional win as he only allowed five baserunners. In the performance, Beeter started the Patriots' second shutout win of the season. Pitches: Fastball (93-96), Slider (mid-80s), Changeup, Curveball

Blas Castano, who signed with the Yankees as an international free agent on 6/1/2018 from Dominican Republic, has flown under the radar so far in 2023. He is currently 3-0 this season. His 2nd win of the season marks his longest outing of the season and longest outing by any relief Patriot's player these last two seasons. Stats: 1.77 ERA, 20.1 IP, 23 SO and 0.89 WHIP over four games. Notes: Castano earned his first Double-A win in his second start of the season on 4/23 vs. New Hampshire, allowing three earned runs over five innings with six strikeouts. Pitches: Fastball (93-96), Changeup (upper 80s), Slider (82-84)

Steven Jennings was selected by the Yankees during the first round of the minor league 2021 Rule 5 Draft from the Pittsburgh Pirates. He has impressed in the pen this season. Stats: 2-1, 2.93 ERA, 15.1 IP, 19 SO, 0.98 WHIP over 11 games. Notes: Jennings finished the second no-hitter in Somerset Patriots franchise history with two perfect innings on 9/8/22. The 7-inning no-hitter was started with five hitless inning by Yoendrys Gomez.Pitches: Fastball (92-95), Slider (80-83), Changeup (84-86)

Indigo Diaz was acquired by the Yankees in a trade from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for Lucas Luetge. He is another great arm in the Patriot's pen. Stats: 1.26 ERA, 14.1 IP, 18 SO and 1.60 WHIP over 10 games. Notes: Diaz represented Team Canada in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, pitching in two games. He allowed one run in 3 1/3 innings with four strikeouts, including a scoreless outing (1.2 IP) against Team USA that featured strikeouts of Mookie Betts and Tim Anderson. Pitches: Fastball, Splitter, Slider.

Coach Raul Dominguez spoke highly of the team's pitching rotation and bullpen arms in Somerset. He is very happy with their pitching group as they are continuously developing on commanding pitches. He said they all have a bright future in the big leagues. There is a possibility we could see any one of these get an opportunity to pitch in pinstripes later this season.