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Three Yankees Relievers Set to Break Out in 2017

By Evan Halpine-Berger

Sep 21, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Jonathan Holder (65) throws a pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. New York Yankees defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 11-5. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 21, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Jonathan Holder (65) throws a pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. New York Yankees defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 11-5. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 16, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Branden Pinder (57) throws a pitch during the sixth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Branden Pinder (57) throws a pitch during the sixth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

The New York Yankees have no shortage of exciting arms in the upper minors, but none have managed to establish themselves as regulars in the big league bullpen.

The New York Yankees “Scranton Shuttle” was largely a failure for the second straight season. Out of the 10 rookie pitchers who made their debut in 2016, only Luis Cessa found consistent success, and that was as a starter.

On the whole, the bullpen was a strength for the team in 2016. No Runs-DMC was dominant in the first half of the season before being dissembled. After the trade deadline, New York received strong performances from newly acquired veterans Tyler Clippard, Adam Warren, and Tommy Layne.

Notably absent from the list of successes is any homegrown relief pitchers. The Yankees system has produced a large quantity of MLB ready arms recently, but we have yet to see much quality. New York used 20 non-DMC relievers this season, and more than half of them had ERAs over 5.00.

The only real success story was Luis Severino, and that was bittersweet because he would be so much more valuable as a starter. 29-year-old rookie Richard Bleier was the next closest, with a 1.96 ERA, but is almost certain to get the axe before December because of the team’s roster crunch.

Still, hope springs eternal. Several of the team’s young arms showed enough potential down the stretch to inspire hope for greater things in 2017. These three “Scranton Shuttle” relievers stand out as the guys most likely to break out as late-inning weapons next year.

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