The New York Yankees are set to call up a potential future ace of their rotation.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone revealed on Talkin’ Yanks that New York will call up Elmer Rodriguez, who’s set to start and make his MLB debut on April 29.
Rodriguez is the team’s third-ranked prospect and second-ranked pitching prospect, just behind Carlos Lagrange. The 22-year-old is a 6-foot-4 right-hander who has electric stuff, and Yankees fans are eager to see him make the start.
“This year’s management decisions are pretty awesome. I hope we keep this logical decision-making throughout the season,” a fan wrote.
“refreshing to see this team actually doing something different this year,” a fan added.
“If he can go a solid 5 innings I’d take it. Don’t see him going 6/7 innings, unless!? He’s pitched in spring training but this is for reals now,” a fan wrote.
Will Warren was originally supposed to start on Wednesday, but the Yankees will start Rodriguez instead.
“Now this is awesome. Yankees playing with urgency unlike previous years. No messing around. Love it,” a fan added.
“Big opportunity for Elmer to get some MLB experience in a situation where, barring injury setbacks, he won’t be heavily relied on. Big difference between a prospect being called up with a ton of initial pressure and one who’s only getting his feet wet,” a fan wrote.
“This team is actually playing young guys this season,” a fan wrote.
Rodriguez is 1-2 with a 1.27 ERA in 4 starts this season in Triple-A.
Analyst Has High Praise for Rodriguez
Rodriguez is one of the top pitching prospects in baseball, and one analyst believes he can be an ace.
Former MLB general manager and now analyst Jim Bowden believes Rodriguez has all the tools to make an impact right away.
“The Yankees are flexing their farm system once again with announcement their top pitching prospect Elmer Rodriguez has been promoted to start tomorrow. Another ace in the making in the Bronx,” Bowden wrote on X.
Rodriguez has been stellar in Triple-A this season, and MLB Pipeline believes his stuff took a major leap in 2024.
“Rodriguez’s stuff made a jump in 2024 and improved across the board last year, giving him four solid or better pitches,” the MLB Pipeline article read. “His best offering is a four-seam fastball that now sits at 96 mph and reaches 99 with bat-missing carry and some armside run. His top secondary weapon is an 82-85 mph slider with sweep and depth. While his upper-70s curveball and upper-80s splitter/changeup elicit more chases.”
The Yankees acquired Rodriguez and international signing bonus pool money from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for catcher Carlos Narvaez in December of 2024.
New York Pushing Warren Back
Rodriguez is taking Warren’s spot in the rotation, but it’s not due to injury.
Instead, Yankees insider Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reported that Warren is healthy and he’s just being pushed back.
“Will Warren had been originally announced as the Yankees’ scheduled starter for the Texas series finale. A source indicated Warren is healthy and will start during the club’s upcoming homestand against the Orioles,” Hoch wrote.
The Yankees are off to a 19-10 start.
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