The New York Yankees are preparing for a competitive spring training session starting next month. Management has brought in a myriad of different outfield options to compete for the vacant left-field position. Oswaldo Cabrera, Aaron Hicks, Willie Calhoun, and Rafael Ortega are the prominent names that will have a shot to earn starting reps during the 2023 season.
While the projected winner is Cabrera, he needs to showcase that his defensive excellence in 2022 wasn’t a mirage. However, the team has also brought in several bullpen arms to gain some experience against higher talent levels. Their latest elevation is RHP Sean Boyle, a 26-year-old relief pitcher out of Selden, New York.
Yankees have invited RHP Sean Boyle to MLB Spring Training.
— Julian Guilarte (@JulianGuilarte1) January 13, 2023
Boyle was drafted in the 25th round of the 2018 MLB June Amateur Draft. He featured with Somerset in Double-A and Scranton in Triple-A last season. He enjoyed 19 appearances for Somerset and nine with Scranton, earning a combined 3.71 ERA across 155.1 innings.
In fact, he pitched 108 innings with Somerset, logging a 3.75 ERA, giving up 91 hits and 15 homers with 117 strikeouts. With Scranton, he posted a 3.61 ERA, giving up 47 hits, 10 homers, and striking out 43 batters. Across both teams, he struck out more than 10 per nine, which is a solid number the Yankees might be able to extrapolate on.
Given Boyle’s ability to pitch a significant number of innings, he has starting pitcher longevity. Back in 2021, Boyle put together two performances that finished in combined no-hitters.
His capabilities allow him to be used as a starter and reliever, featuring a repertoire of pitches that include a fastball, sinker, and slider. The Yankees love sinker/slider combination pitchers, so there’s no surprise they’re elevating him and giving him an opportunity to showcase his talents at a bigger level.
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