Opening Day has come and gone but we’ve yet to see some of the notable prospects who made the trip up north. One name who didn’t make his MLB debut on Opening Day was Yankees right-hander Clayton Beeter, a power righty who will start the season in the New York bullpen.
A Look at Beeter
New York originally acquired Yankees right-hander Clayton Beeter in the summer of 2022 after the Bronx Bombers traded Joey Gallo to the Dodgers. However, Beeter’s been known in circles for a while.
The 25-year-old was a second-round pick by Los Angeles in 2020 from Texas Tech. Beeter pitched well as a starter in the abbreviated 2020 college season, as he struck out 33 over 20 frames. And, he mostly carried that over as a pro.
Beeter struck out 129 over 77 innings in 2022, then struck out 165 over 131.2 innings between Double and Triple-A in 2023. Much of that is thanks to a very good slider with depth, a pitch that’s about a 60 grade, paired with a hard fastball.
The righty also has a curveball and changeup to work it.
The command has been a problem for Beeter. The former Red Raider struggled with walks in 2019 as a reliever and that was no different in 2022-23. Beeter posted BB/9 rates north of 5.0 in each of those two seasons.
Both Nick Burdi and Clayton Beeter claimed Opening Day roster spots for the Yankees. However, the word before Opening Day was that the Yankees could pivot if another arm becomes available. The Yankees did acquire J.T. Brubaker on the 29th but he’s still on the mend from Tommy John surgery he underwent in April 2023.
Analysis
Without Gerrit Cole, the Yankees rotation to start the season consists of Nestor Cortes, Carlos Rodon, Marcus Stroman, Clarke Schmidt, and Luis Gil. Beeter could work himself in the rotation should another injury arise.
However, the presence of other arms, like Luke Weaver, for example, could mean either Beeter’s presence in the Yankees’ pitching staff could be short until New York gets healthier or he’ll primarily be in line for relief work.
But if Beeter’s ultimate role is as a reliever, he’s got the stuff to succeed. Or, he could take the same route as ex-Yankee Michael King and work as a long man before getting a shot at the rotation.