The New York Yankees are accustomed for extracting value from their bullpen, and even with this depleted bunch, they have found ways to extract more value than expected. While amazing, every baseball team is seeking to get the most value out of its bullpen, which means bringing in veterans who need to be tweaked or unknown talent with the potential to become something great. Some clubs are either unable to detect the necessary modification or only notice it after the season, resulting in a player’s total performance falling short of expectations at the deadline.
The Yankees need players who will add value in the second half, and that doesn’t always mean going for the players who had the best first halves. While these three names are not at the top of any want lists, they are on the rise and might give significant value to the Yankees at the deadline.
Former Yankees farmhand might give bullpen a boost.
MLB: Chicago White Sox vs. Seattle Mariners
Credit: Steven Bisig/USA TODAY Sports.
John Brebbia, who was selected in the 30th round of the 2024 MLB Draft, might arrive for a modest cost and add some punch to the Yankees’ bullpen. The right-hander has a 4.50 ERA this season, but it comes with a 3.22 FIP and a 30% strikeout rate, indicating some good regression is on the way. In fact, it appears we’re already receiving it, as Brebbia has a 31.6% K-BB% and a 1.40 ERA, owing to some little modifications that would go unnoticed if you weren’t paying attention.
AJ Puk struggled as a starter with the Miami Marlins, with a 9.22 ERA and 17 walks in 13.2 innings across his first four appearances. Since then, he’s been one of baseball’s finest left-handed relievers, with a 2.30 ERA and 2.73 FIP across 27.1 innings worked, showcasing his strikeout ability while minimizing walks and home runs. Puk has made a significant improvement by employing a harder slider over his sweeper, which enhances the rest of his arsenal.
This pitch has a velocity of 86.2 MPH, 3.8 inches of sweep, and 0.9 inches of Induced Vertical Break, with a 48.8% Whiff Rate because to how well it plays off the fastball, particularly to right-handed batters. Since June 19th, he has used the pitch 34.6% of the time and has not surrendered an earned run, striking out 42.6% of hitters faced during that period. With this pitch at the helm, he has a strong arsenal, and the vertical difference produced by the two pitches has allowed him to attack with his fastball more consistently.
The New York Yankees are accustomed for extracting value from their bullpen, and even with this depleted bunch, they have found ways to extract more value than expected. While amazing, every baseball team is seeking to get the most value out of its bullpen, which means bringing in veterans who need to be tweaked or unknown talent with the potential to become something great. Some clubs are either unable to detect the necessary modification or only notice it after the season, resulting in a player’s total performance falling short of expectations at the deadline.
The Yankees need players who will add value in the second half, and that doesn’t always mean going for the players who had the best first halves. While these three names are not at the top of any want lists, they are on the rise and might give significant value to the Yankees at the deadline.
Former Yankees farmhand might give bullpen a boost.
MLB: Chicago White Sox vs. Seattle Mariners
Credit: Steven Bisig/USA TODAY Sports.
John Brebbia, who was selected in the 30th round of the 2024 MLB Draft, might arrive for a modest cost and add some punch to the Yankees’ bullpen. The right-hander has a 4.50 ERA this season, but it comes with a 3.22 FIP and a 30% strikeout rate, indicating some good regression is on the way. In fact, it appears we’re already receiving it, as Brebbia has a 31.6% K-BB% and a 1.40 ERA, owing to some little modifications that would go unnoticed if you weren’t paying attention.
AJ Puk struggled as a starter with the Miami Marlins, with a 9.22 ERA and 17 walks in 13.2 innings across his first four appearances. Since then, he’s been one of baseball’s finest left-handed relievers, with a 2.30 ERA and 2.73 FIP across 27.1 innings worked, showcasing his strikeout ability while minimizing walks and home runs. Puk has made a significant improvement by employing a harder slider over his sweeper, which enhances the rest of his arsenal.
This pitch has a velocity of 86.2 MPH, 3.8 inches of sweep, and 0.9 inches of Induced Vertical Break, with a 48.8% Whiff Rate because to how well it plays off the fastball, particularly to right-handed batters. Since June 19th, he has used the pitch 34.6% of the time and has not surrendered an earned run, striking out 42.6% of hitters faced during that period. With this pitch at the helm, he has a strong arsenal, and the vertical difference produced by the two pitches has allowed him to attack with his fastball more consistently.
