Prospect Yankees stole from Astros in Caleb Ferguson trade is silently crushing it

While it appears the Astros may have had something in mind to unlock Caleb Ferguson when they acquired him from the Yankees at the trade deadline, New York's braintrust might've had a corresponding trick up their sleeve, too.

Ferguson, who walked around the Yankees' locker room throughout April, May, June and July rocking a gigantic "DFA Me" sign, has a 2.70 ERA in 11 appearances for the Astros, allowing four earned runs. Four earned runs? That's what Mark Leiter Jr. calls "a rough couple of ABs."

But the Yankees didn't give Ferguson away for nothing, though it may have felt that way at the time. In exchange for the lefty, New York received a hefty amount of international bonus money, as well as relief prospect Kelly Austin, who they assigned to High-A Hudson Valley.

In Austin's first 13 innings pitched in the system? He's been remarkably good.

Yankees relief prospect Kelly Austin is justifying Caleb Ferguson trade with Astros

Now, if only the Yankees had gotten someone useful in exchange for Dennis Santana. Then we'd really be in business.

Austin, a six-foot-tall, 23-year-old reliever out of UCLA, has made a meal out of his first season of full-season ball in 2024. He succeeded in the Astros' system, too, posting a 0.90 ERA in 10 innings with Single-A Fayetteville before the team realized they'd seen enough, bumping him to High-A with the Asheville Tourists. In 26 2/3 innings at the level, he put up a 2.70 ERA, striking out 32 before transferring over to the Yankees' system and remaining at the same level.

Coincidentally enough, he'll close out the regular season against his old friends in Asheville this week before the 'Gades move on to the South Atlantic League playoffs to continue their journey. Hopefully, Austin dominates, then earns more consideration from the Yankees' brass entering the 2025 season. He's certainly done all he can this summer to garner attention.