The New York Yankees have enjoyed watching left-handed starting pitcher Ken Waldichuk climb the Minor League system. At 6’4″ and 220-pounds, Waldichuk was a fifth-round draft pick in the 2019 MLB June Amateur Draft out of St. Mary’s College of California.
Waldichuk started his farm system journey in 2021, featuring with Somerset and Hudson Valley. Over 23 combined games, he posted a 3.03 ERA but had a few struggles with Somerset, earning a 4.20 ERA and 12.25 strikeouts per nine over 79.1 innings.
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However, this season has been a bit different for the stud prospect, who currently hosts a 1.26 ERA, 14.44 strikeouts per nine, and an 86.8% left on base rate. His 51% ground ball rate is the best in his entire career and has picked up four wins over six appearances.
Clearly, this was enough to convince the Yankees brass to call him up to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where he will feature alongside Luis Gil and a few top-end prospects who are looking to make a jump to the Major Leagues.
Yanks news: LHP Ken Waldichuk has been called up to Triple-A.
— Julian Guilarte (@JulianGuilarte1) May 17, 2022
Waldichuk is on the fast track to becoming a Major League player, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him make an appearance this year at the top level if he continues his phenomenal performance with Scranton.
The Yankees are always looking for a bit more diversity with their pitching and considering he’s a lefty, if anything were to happen to Jordan Montgomery, he might get an opportunity to start this year. At just 24 years old, he’s well on his way to making an impact in the future with the top team.