2 Yankees pitching prospects' ERA dominance opens intriguing trade deadline avenue

The New York Yankees went above and beyond to nab as many pitchers as possible in 2024's draft to replenish their ranks. Their implicit goal was two-fold: build up an arsenal of arms we can use on the field, and build up an additional enticing backlog of potential trade candidates.

Like any good organization knows, the more bites at the pitching apple you take, the better. The Yankees spent their first seven picks on pitchers last summer, and eight of their first 10 selections. Third-round pick Thatcher Hurd underwent Tommy John surgery before his pro debut even arrived; second-rounder Bryce Cunningham starred early, but he, too, is now injured.

And yet ... the desired effect has still occurred. The Yankees' pitching ranks look replenished. Previous helium alert candidates like Cam Schlittler and Carlos Lagrange have fully broken out. 2024 draftees Ben Hess and Griffin Herring have looked ridiculous. A name from the not-so-distant past, 2021 second-rounder Brendan Beck, has also shaken off a cavalcade of injuries to earn a trip to Triple-A. After depleting the well in 2022-23 trades, the Yankees have firmly reclaimed pitching as a strength.

Beck and Herring might actually shine above the rest, given their gaudy numbers. And, as the Yankees' stable grows, the number of potential trade deadline paths they can take increases.

Entering a new week, Beck and Herring possess the literal two best ERAs in all of minor-league baseball; Beck opens the week at 1.64, while Herring has maintained a gravity-defying 1.05 mark. Both pitchers represent successful gambits for the Yankees, no matter what their futures hold. But Beck, especially, is coming off several empty seasons, and may work best as a trade deadline centerpiece.

Yankees' top pitching prospects Griffin Herring, Brendan Beck could change trade deadline fate

Herring's Yankees journey might be just beginning, but there's still a solid chance he never again outperforms this peak; it's just that ridiculous.

Beck? He succumbed to Tommy John surgery almost immediately after being drafted, missing the 2022 season, then ducked out of 2024 with additional elbow issues. His second-round selection was based on stability and a moderate ceiling he'd already hit, making him a fast riser. The Yankees are finally reaping the rewards of their bet this summer, but four years is about four times longer than they expected it to take. They'd probably be wise to explore sell-high trades featuring Beck as a No. 2 piece if they don't plan on giving him MLB reps within the year.

The Yankees' journey to being a trade deadline powerhouse is predicated on pitchers sneaking up from outside their top 10 to turn into factors the rest of the league covets. Thanks to Beck and Herring, all MLB teams have to do is check out the top of the leaderboard as they make their maneuvers.