3 surprising prospects who will shine at Yankees' spring training

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Somehow, some way, Yankees spring training is just two weeks away, as pitchers and catchers will report to Tampa in mid-February. Hell, some pitchers and catchers are there already; Nestor Cortes Jr. and Carlos Rodón have already reported to camp, and they're putting finishing touches on Blake Snell's locker.

Kidding. Unless you gon' do it?

With spring in the air, that means new faces in new places, trimmed-down new looks for portly superstars, and fresh prospects ready to make a good first impression. Matt Blake and the Yankees have already tipped their hands somewhat about high expectations they might have for certain names, but rest assured, a few unexpected players always emerge and seize their playing time. Last year, a boffo spring training led to Carlos Narvaez earning a 40-man spot after picking up reps in the wake of Austin Wells' injury. The Spencer Joneses and Jasson Dominguezes of the world will always get a prime spotlight in the spring, but rest assured that a few names from somewhere lower down on the prospect list will also perk your ears up this March.

3 Yankees prospects who will shine at spring training

Will Warren, RHP

The Yankees made it quite clear this week that they intend to showcase Warren and give him some MLB time this season. Whether those reps come in a fill-in starter role (apologies to Cody Poteet) or in the bullpen is anyone's guess, but Warren's rapid rise seems likely to mirror Jhony Brito's from last spring.

Except, you know, Warren has slightly more pedigree and his name should be familiar to Yankee fans.

This spring seems like high time Warren overcomes his control problems and ascends, looking much more like the guy who finished his 2023 time in Triple-A on a high note rather than the righty who started off sketch/in Drew Thorpe's shadow. Warren wrapped last season with a two-hit, 10-strikeout outing, finishing a dominant September with a single earned run allowed. That lowered his Scranton ERA to 3.61 in 21 outings, thanks in large part to his newly-shaped sweeper. Expect that pitch to catch your attention this spring in much the same way Hayden Wesneski's bender captivated audiences in 2022.

Ben Rice, INF

Fresh off being named one of Baseball America's preeminent risers, it seems likely that first baseman Ben Rice will either be a non-roster invitee to camp or one of New York's featured taxi squad guys, given repeated elevation chances. After all, for as much fun as Yankee fans love to make of the way this front office slow plays prospects, the advanced Rice surely sees a first base vacancy in 2025 after Anthony Rizzo's contract (likely) wraps.

Not saying the Yankees would give an Opening Day first base gig to a prospect in a championship season ... but if they were going to ... the process would start here, and Baseball America's No. 12 prospect needs to seize the moment.

Rice rolls out of bed ready to hit, as evidenced by the Dartmouth product's remarkable .327 average with 16 bombs in 48 games after being dropped into the Double-A pool midsummer. The Yankees spent 2023 testing his hit tool and challenging him repeatedly with swift promotions, and he delivered every single time. Expect them to get a bit aggressive this spring once again.

And expect Rice to cook.

Caleb Durbin, INF

The ultimate Yankee underdog, Durbin came over from Atlanta last winter in the Lucas Luetge trade. He was drafted by the Braves in the 14th round in 2021, and according to a Braves scout one of our staff writers has spoken to, Atlanta was the only team on the diminutive slap hitter at that point during his Wash U St. Louis days.

After a throwback 2023 season, you can certainly add the Yankees to that growing list of believers.

Durbin hit .304 with a .395 OBP and .822 OPS across multiple levels last season, and though injuries robbed him of a full campaign, he still managed to show off his speed and surprising pop in 47 games at Double-A Somerset. He swiped 21 bags and hit .291 at the level, despite barely getting a chance to get his feet wet.

In case you needed further proof of the Yankees' belief in Durbin, they sent the 5'6", 100% unique grinder to the Arizona Fall League last October to play with the game's most pedigreed prospects. All Durbin did in that showcase was swipe three bags in a single game and win Hitter of the Week as the short season wrapped to cement his surprising place in the game's heirarchy.

Durbin is in a similar spot to Rice, though he's probably about six months behind on his Buzz Timeline. Who knows whether Baseball America or similar publications will ever acknowledge Durbin? Both the second baseman and the Yankees don't seem to care much. In fact, New York would probably rather he fly under the radar.

Unfortunately for them, he'll make proper use of any at-bats he secures during his spring training showcase. It's in his nature.

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3 Yankees prospects who will shine at spring training

Will Warren, RHP

Ben Rice, INF

Caleb Durbin, INF

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