Yankees: An under the radar bullpen arm could help

The Yankees bullpen heading into 2018 is without a doubt elite. However, an under the radar piece of the Andrew Miller trade could bolster their already solidified staff even more.

Acquired on July 31 of 2016, along with prospects Clint Frazier, Justus Sheffield, and J.P Feyereisen, right-handed flamethrower Ben Heller has seen limited time in the big leagues for the Yankees thus far in his career.

The 26-year-old has compiled just 18 innings worth of relief over two years since coming over to the Yanks, but that total could significantly increase for the Wisconsin native in 2018.

Despite a poor showing in minimal time in 2016 (6.43 ERA, 7 IP), Heller displayed his potentially elite arm with a .139 BAA and a 0.82 ERA across 11 innings this past season.

Although it is just a small sample size, these numbers are backed up by his history of success throughout the minor leagues.

In 56.1 innings at Triple-A Scranton, Heller pitched to a 2.88 ERA, .172 BAA, while boasting an impressive 13.1 K/9.

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Featuring a fastball that sits in the mid-to-upper 90s and quite an exceptional slider, Heller has built a reputation as a dominant reliever over the course of his MILB career. With the outstanding bullpen the Yankees already have, Heller would just be gravy to an already elite staff of arms.

Last Spring, Heller lost the opportunity to make the club after showing a lack of command. Despite a 0.68 ERA during camp, the right-hander walked eight batters in just 13.1 innings

If Heller proves he can consistently find the plate and reduce his BB/9, his ceiling is through the roof as a young reliever who can hit triple-digits along with a devastating slider.

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https://twitter.com/PitchingNinja/status/905906640867782656

Will Heller take the opportunity this spring and run with it? Or will his command issues halt him from making the club out of the gate once again? Only time will tell.