The New York Yankees are currently without injured ace Gerrit Cole.
Cole is expected to miss the next 1-2 months with elbow inflammation, and his absence forced the Yankees to hold an internal competition for the fifth starter gig.
Several hurlers competed for the spot: Cody Poteet, Luis Gil, Luke Weaver, Will Warren, and Clayton Beeter.
Gil’s impressive spring performance gave him the job, but that doesn’t mean the others will be easily discarded.
Weaver was always expected to be part of the pitching staff, and Warren and Poteer have positioned themselves as useful upper-minors depth.
What about Beeter?
The young starter was likely to spend most of the year in the minors developing his bad control, which led him to hand 44 walks in just 71 Triple-A innings last year.
The Yanks, however, shocked the world on Monday and, according to insider Joel Sherman, Beeter will be part of the team’s bullpen from the go.
“Clayton Beeter told me he was informed he has made the Yankees roster,” Sherman tweeted.
Clayton Beeter told me he was informed he has made the Yankees roster
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) March 25, 2024
Beeter was impressive in exhibition play in February and March, posting a 3.18 ERA in 17 innings with 17 strikeouts.
The walks? He gave up just six, which represents enormous progress considering his history in recent seasons.
Beeter has been trusted to help the Yankees in a multi-inning relief role, making use of a fine, mid-90s fastball (he can take it up to 97 mph), an excellent slider, and a good curveball.
Walks will determine Beeter’s future role with the Yankees: his control (or lack thereof) will say if he is a long-term reliever or a solid mid-rotation starter.
For now, however, he will help in relief.
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