The Yankees’ current farm system is renowned for its talented position players. The top prospect, Jasson Dominquez, leads a group of promising young hitters, who make up the top five rated prospects according to MLB Pipeline. However, the system also boasts some talented pitchers.
The growing talent of the Yankees’ pitching prospects is evident at High-A Hudson Valley. Drew Thorpe, ranked as the sixth-best prospect, is making a strong impression in his professional debut. As the Yankees’ second-round pick in the 2022 Draft, Drew Thorpe showcased his skills in his previous outing, pitching eight innings and allowing only one hit. On Sunday, the Yankees prospect delivered an even more impressive performance, striking out 12 batters and throwing seven shutout innings in the Renegades’ 1-0 victory against Jersey Shore.
Yankees pitching prospect an excitement to watch
Drew Thorpe held his ground throughout the game thanks to an early run in the first inning. He displayed excellent control by not issuing any walks, and he managed to limit the opposition to five hits. Thorpe finished the game strongly, striking out five of the last nine hitters he faced. Remarkably, the 22-year-old right-handed Yankees prospect pitcher has been on an impressive streak, as he has not surrendered a single run in his past 17 ⅔ innings, dating back to May 28. During this period, Drew Thorpe has recorded an impressive 22 strikeouts while only allowing two walks.
According to MLB.com, Drew Thorpe stated that his pitches felt really good. He mentioned that he was successful in mixing up his pitches effectively and getting ahead in the counts. The Yankees prospect also shared that he employed different strategies for each batter during their at-bats, which helped him keep them off balance for the most part.
High expectations from Drew Thorpe
The Yankees were pleased to witness the level of skill and refinement displayed by Drew Thorpe. They had high expectations for him, considering his impressive track record as the top starting pitcher for Cal Poly for two seasons and his recognition as a consensus All-American during his junior year. As a result, Drew Thorpe was regarded as one of the more reliable pitching prospects in his Draft class.
What stands out about the Yankees prospect are his changeup and his ability to pitch effectively. Scouts were impressed by Drew Thorpe’s advanced understanding of pitching and skills in coordinating and placing his pitches strategically. These qualities made the Yankees eagerly anticipate his professional debut in 2023, especially after signing him as the 61st overall pick for a contract worth $1,187,600.
In his initial 10 starts at Hudson Valley, Drew Thorpe has lived up to expectations. He has managed to pitch for a minimum of five innings in eight out of 10 starts, and in five of his last seven, he has gone on to complete at least six innings.
Overall, the Yankees pitching prospect has maintained an impressive 2.91 ERA and boasts a remarkable 71-20 strikeout-to-walk ratio in his first 58 ⅔ innings as a professional.
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