Andres Chavez
The New York Yankees are currently assembling a relief unit that feels a bit like a high-stakes puzzle. While the big names like David Bednar, Camilo Doval, and Fernando Cruz grab the headlines, and veterans Paul Blackburn and Ryan Yarbrough provide the steady length every team needs, a fierce competition is brewing for those final seats in the bullpen.
Among the crowd of hopefuls—including Kervin Castro, Cade Winquest, and Angel Chivilli—one name is generating significant electricity despite a late start: Yovanny Cruz.
The Power of the Triple-Digit Fastball
If pitching were a drag race, Yovanny Cruz would be the driver everyone stops to watch. During his appearance on Tuesday, he wasn’t just throwing hard; he was operating at a different frequency. He averaged 100.3 mph with his four-seam fastball and even touched 101 mph. That kind of velocity is the ultimate equalizer in baseball, often making even the most disciplined hitters look like they are swinging at shadows.
His performance on the mound has been brief but loud. So far in Grapefruit League play, he has navigated two scoreless frames and racked up four strikeouts. It’s the kind of raw potential that makes it easy to understand why he has captured the attention of the coaching staff.
Aaron Boone’s Long-Term Vision
Despite the impressive radar gun readings, the calendar is currently Cruz’s toughest opponent. Manager Aaron Boone admitted to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic that while Cruz is technically in the conversation for an Opening Day spot, it’s a tall order. Being behind schedule in his ramp-up process means he has only logged two outings, making a roster spot for the trip to San Francisco a bit of a stretch.
However, Boone’s outlook suggests this isn’t a “now or never” situation. He noted that Cruz is expected to be a factor over the long haul. The Yankees seem to view him as a weapon they can sharpen in the minors before unleashing him on the American League East later this summer.
Refining the Diamond in the Rough
At 26 years old, Cruz arrived in New York via a minor league contract signed in November, following a stint with the Red Sox organization. His 2023 season in Double-A showed exactly what he is: a high-upside project with a massive ceiling and a few floorboards that need fixing.
The statistics from his last campaign tell the full story. Across 59.1 innings, he maintained a solid 3.03 ERA and punched out 72 batters. The catch, however, was the 44 walks he issued. In the major leagues, high velocity can be a gift, but wildness is a liability.
If the Yankees’ pitching lab can help him harness that triple-digit heat and cut down the free passes, he has the ingredients to be a dominant force in the middle innings.
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