The minds of Yankees’ prospects are often filled with uncertainty, wondering if they’ll emulate Anthony Volpe or become trade assets for the parent club’s needs. More often, it’s the latter.
Two such pitchers, traded by the Yankees, have landed on a USA Today Sports watch list after earning starting roles: Ken Waldichuk with the Oakland Athletics and Hayden Wesneski with the Chicago Cubs.
Given the current health struggles of the Yankees’ rotation—Luis Severino (lat), Carlos Rodon (forearm), Nestor Cortes (hamstring), and Frankie Montas (shoulder)—they might regret parting with these young, healthy pitchers, including JP Sears.
USA Today’s “MLB’s 100 Names You Need To Know For 2023” highlights:
SP Ken Waldichuk, Athletics: The 6-4 lefty, acquired in the Frankie Montas trade last summer, made seven starts for Oakland. With a fastball in the upper 90s and an improved slider, Waldichuk should be a regular in the Athletics’ rotation this season.
SP Hayden Wesneski, Cubs: Wesneski, acquired at last year’s trade deadline, earned a major league promotion and performed well (3-2, 0.94 WHIP in 33 IP). His five-pitch mix, led by a big-breaking slider, secures him a spot as the Cubs’ fifth starter.
Also on the list are Yankees infielders Oswald Peraza and Anthony Volpe, who looks poised to start at shortstop:
SS Oswald Peraza, Yankees: Peraza impressed during his September call-up, batting .306 with a .404 on-base percentage, and earned a spot on the AL Championship Series roster. His performance positions him as a contender for the starting shortstop role, though he may take on a utility role if Volpe wins the job. Peraza, 22, has swiped 73 bases over the last two minor league seasons.
SS Anthony Volpe, Yankees: The highly-touted 21-year-old has a chance to start at shortstop on Opening Day after a strong spring. Despite striking out 118 times in 511 at-bats between Class AA and Class AAA in 2022, Volpe has hit 48 home runs over the last two seasons. He overcame a slow start last season to achieve a 20-homer, 50-steal campaign.