Yankees prospect Caleb Durbin just sneakily added new position during scorching start

Yes, we know Yankees prospect Caleb Durbin can do anything and everything theoretically, but he just added a new reality for fans on Tuesday (and went 2-for-4 at the plate, too).

Durbin, who stuck around quite a while in big-league spring training, was given the bump to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to begin the 2024 season despite playing just 47 games at Double-A Somerset last season (yes, while battling injury). The versatile, Dustin Pedroia-esque player came over from the Braves in the Lucas Luetge trade, a move which immediately paid dividends when he posted an .822 OPS across multiple levels last season, stole 36 bases, and swiped 21 more (!!!) in 23 games while shining in the prospect-laden Arizona Fall League.

In previous years, he's played mostly second and third, with the occasional appearance at shortstop further coloring in his resumé. That's more than enough floating to officially qualify as "versatile" -- but that didn't stop the Yankees from adding center field to his plate on Tuesday night against the Orioles' borderline big-league Norfolk Tides roster.

Durbin, after locking up an on-base streak that gave him a notable place in RailRiders history, held down the position nicely, going 2-for-4 with a double.

Yankees prospect Caleb Durbin just keeps getting on base, and now he's also a center fielder?

If we could just swap out Jahmai Jones for Durbin, this might just be a dream roster?

Much like Jackson Holliday, Durbin actually could use some Triple-A reps against lefties; he's shown reverse splits thus far, hitting .222 in his first 11 plate appearances against left-handed pitching. That's not much of a problem, though, when you're hitting .565 with five doubles, a triple, and a homer in your 31 plate appearances against righties (eight walks).

Durbin deserves more coverage for his relentless dedication to getting on base (and, yes, showing off more power than rival evaluators seem to believe he has). Luckily, we're able to solve that problem rather easily. Don't sleep on this hidden Yankees gem, who clearly seems to be in the midst of being groomed for an upgraded role at the next level, given the midseason burden of an additional position. Not just any position switch, either. Center field. Got to be strong up the middle. You know how much trust you have to have in your second baseman to give it a try?

Perhaps we've been comparing him to the wrong Red Sox all along. Maybe he's not Dustin Pedroia, but rather Mookie Betts.