ROSTER UPDATE: Yankees Promote $2 Million Prospect Amid Injury Crisis

In 2022, the New York Yankees sent struggling outfielder Joey Gallo to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a trade that brought right-hander Clayton Beeter to the Bronx. Since joining the Yankees’ system, Beeter has impressed, posting a solid 3.24 ERA with 250 strikeouts over 189 innings. Despite his strong performance, command has been a challenge, raising questions about whether he will ultimately succeed as a starter at the big-league level.

The Yankees have shown significant faith in Beeter’s potential, evident from his inclusion in the competition for the fifth starter spot and his presence on the Opening Day roster. He responded with seven starts, posting a stellar 2.53 ERA, before landing on the injured list with a shoulder injury. At the time, Yankees GM Brian Cashman indicated the injury could have ended Beeter’s season, but fortunately, that worst-case scenario has been avoided.

Now cleared to return, Beeter has been activated from the IL and will report to Double-A to finish the season. The Yankees hope he can stay healthy, refine his command, and continue his strong development as they evaluate his future role in the organization.

Clayton Beeter and the Yankees Catch a Break on Shoulder Injury

The 2024 season may not have unfolded exactly as Clayton Beeter envisioned, but there were plenty of positives to take away, particularly the fact that he made his long-awaited big-league debut. For the Yankees, Beeter’s development this season offers encouraging signs, especially in terms of the improvements he made to his pitching arsenal.

One of the most notable gains Beeter saw in 2024 was the increased vertical movement on his fastball. Last season, his fastball had an average 16.7 inches of vertical ride and a 24.9% whiff rate. However, this year, the pitch jumped to 18.2 inches of ride with a significantly improved 29% whiff rate. This added movement has made Beeter’s fastball a legitimate plus pitch and has also enhanced the effectiveness of his slider.

Beeter’s slider, already a strong secondary weapon, benefits greatly from his high arm slot, allowing it to generate sharp vertical drop and miss plenty of bats. Batters posted just a .156 wOBA against the pitch, with an impressive 48.9% whiff rate. Despite largely relying on his fastball-slider combination, Beeter’s upside remains high.

The Yankees have worked on integrating his changeup into his repertoire, but so far, Beeter has leaned more towards his curveball as his tertiary pitch. While the changeup remains a work in progress, adding the curveball into his mix could provide Beeter with another effective option, rounding out his pitch selection and helping him develop further as a big-league pitcher.