Forgotten Yankees top draft pick pitcher resurfaces at minor-league camp

If the New York Yankees are going to watch their farm system ascend this year instead of further empty out, they're going to need a few contributions from unlikely sources.

Stanford's Brendan Beck would certainly qualify as such. Drafted in the second round back in 2021, Beck, a right-handed hurler, was known for his impressive combination of an advanced pitch mix and fiery attitude collegiately. Somehow, Beck was both wise beyond his years on the mound, and boisterous enough (and, yes, maybe naively so) to wear all-black jerseys in 106 degree heat for "Texas Tech's funeral".

The righty felt like a perfect Yankee — from both a mindset and a stuff perspective — as well as someone who could move quickly. As always, the universe had other plans; Beck underwent Tommy John surgery swiftly after signing, and didn't make his professional debut with the organization until the summer of 2023.

He was fantastic. Immediately. He made 10 semi-abbreviated starts between the Rookie League and High-A Hudson Valley, striking out 40 in 34 innings while maintaining a 1.59 ERA. Unfortunately, somehow, that was the last time we saw him ... until Friday.

He was silently transferred to the "full-season injured list" after a preseason surgery last May, missing another all-important development year. But this week, he was spotted blowing intra-squad batters away on the back fields in a simulated game at minor-league camp. It may not be where we expected him to be nearly four years after being drafted, but sometimes, the story you intended to tell is not the one you end up living. Now, it's on Beck to find a way to make the best of it, and he seems to finally be mended and effective.

Yankees pitching prospect Brendan Beck resurfaces at minor-league spring training sim game

In addition to (crossing every finger and toe we have) Beck, the Yankees will introduce 2024 draftees Ben Hess, Bryce Cunningham, Gage Ziehl and Greysen Carter from the top five rounds (unfortunately, third-rounder Thatcher Hurd has already succumbed to Tommy John surgery).

That could be an excellent haul to offset the losses of Drew Thorpe, Chase Hampton and graduates like Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt from the system. Now, development — and staying on the mound — is paramount.