Ben Shields: A hidden gem in Yankees farm

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Ben Shields, originally from Boston, grew up immersed in hockey, playing baseball mainly during spring. As a loyal Red Sox fan, he looked up to pitchers like Pedro Martinez and Jon Lester. Ironically, Shields is now forging a career as a professional pitcher for a rival team, a path he hadn’t anticipated but now embraces with enthusiasm.

Shields, who signed the Yankees as an undrafted free agent after five seasons at two mid-major colleges, sees this unexpected journey as a major motivator. He acknowledged the limited faith the baseball world has shown in him but is determined to prove the wisdom of those who have given him a chance. Shields emphasized that his goal is not to prove skeptics wrong but to validate the beliefs of his supporters. He is confident that consistent performance will eventually garner broader recognition.

“It’s definitely motivation,” the Yankees prospect said. “Not a lot of people in the game have believed in me, and obviously the slight few that have given me the opportunities to be where I am now, I try to prove them right. It’s not necessarily about proving the other people wrong. I think over time if I keep performing and do what I need to do, I think they’ll understand. But it’s just more about proving the people that have believed in me right.”

At 25, Shields has already advanced to Double-A in his first full professional season. Standing 6-foot-4 and left-handed, he has the physical attributes of a potential major league starter, complemented by a repertoire of five different pitches. Shields believes his unique college experience has given him a psychological edge.

He described his calm demeanor in high-pressure situations, attributing it to his extensive experience. Shields noted that since turning professional, his skills have improved, enhancing his effectiveness as a pitcher. He highlighted the importance of maintaining composure in critical moments, focusing on each pitch individually, and navigating through challenges. Shields is convinced that his experience has been crucial in his development as a pitcher.

“I feel like I’m pretty calm in certain situations that probably came with experience over time, and I think just getting to the pros, allowing my stuff to get better, I’m becoming a better pitcher,” Ben Shields claimed. “I think the experience of being cool in each moment, not losing the cool and just going pitch to pitch and working out of things, I think it definitely benefitted me.”

Ben Shields impresses Yankees’ Somerset brass

Ben Shields has hit the ground running with the Somerset Patriots, allowing just one run over 12.1 innings in his first two starts. However, it’s his off-field qualities—his blend of goofiness, intelligence, and composure—that truly set him apart, according to pitching coach Brett DeGagne.

DeGagne notes that Shields is focused on maximizing each day’s potential and avoiding complacency. He attributes this drive to Shields’ extensive college experience, which has given him a deep appreciation for his journey. DeGagne describes Shields as eager to learn, absorbing knowledge like a sponge. Shields consistently seeks advice from seasoned teammates and continues to develop within the Yankees’ system.

“He hasn’t really stopped and smelled the flowers,” the Double-A coach said. “He’s still extremely intent on making sure that he’s getting the most out of every day with all the stuff in between. I think having parts of five (college) seasons and understanding the road that’s gotten him here, I think he’s a sponge who wants to learn as much as he can. He’s leaning on the guys that have been here, and I think he’s just continuing to mature within our system.”

Shields’ path to professional baseball has been anything but straightforward. Realizing the long-term potential of being a left-handed pitcher, he shifted his focus from hockey to baseball, starting his college career at UMass in 2018. His journey included several setbacks: injuries in 2019, COVID-19 disruptions in 2020, and Tommy John surgery in 2021. He later transferred to George Mason, making 27 starts over two seasons and catching the attention of the Yankees, who signed him in July of the previous year.

Reflecting on his transition from a childhood Red Sox fan to a Yankees prospect, Shields expressed that the opportunity with the Yankees aligned perfectly with his goals. He acknowledged the shift in allegiance, noting that while he grew up cheering against the Yankees, he always respected the organization’s excellence.

“It just worked out with Yankees. I wanted to be in the organization,” the prospect explianed. “We were on the other side of cheering for the Yankees growing up, but I definitely knew how great of an organization they were.”

Yankees’ Ben Shields navigates new tech landscape in minors

Ben Shields, like many minor league players, especially those from non-Power Five schools, faced a significant technological shift upon joining a professional organization. After spending the previous summer training in Tampa, he transitioned to affiliated baseball this spring.

Pitching coach Brett DeGagne praised Shields for his adeptness in handling the influx of information provided by the organization. He highlighted the Yankees prospect’s intelligence and maturity as key factors in his smooth transition to Double-A, where he has already found early success.

“He’s obviously a super bright kid and obviously we throw a lot of things at our guys, and he’s been able to take that head on and his age is a benefit to him,” he said. “Obviously being in Double-A now and having some success, we’re super excited about him.”

Shields’ pitching repertoire includes a fastball, splitter, curveball, and two types of sliders. Initially developing a gyro slider in college, he later added a sweeper with the Yankees‘ guidance. Shields explained that these sliders have distinct uses in various situations, and DeGagne noted their effectiveness, particularly against left-handed hitters this season.

In search of a pitch with different movement from his fastball, Shields independently developed a splitter this year after experimenting during a bullpen session. He is currently refining his pitch shapes and honing his most effective offerings.

Shields mentioned that his curveball has been particularly effective against right-handed hitters this season, generating numerous swings and misses. His strategy involves attacking the strike zone with his fastball early in counts and then aiming to induce whiffs later.

The Yankees’ rookie began the season as a multi-inning reliever at High-A Hudson Valley but transitioned to a starting role after seven appearances. DeGagne indicated that the Yankees see Shields’ greatest potential as a starter, citing his diverse pitch repertoire, which allows him to adjust his approach mid-game. This versatility and adaptability continue to mark Shields as a promising prospect in the Yankees’ system.

Ben Shields’ mid-game adaptability

Pitching coach Brett DeGagne has highlighted Ben Shields’ remarkable ability to adapt his game plan mid-contest, often by the fourth inning, while still maintaining effectiveness. This versatility, DeGagne noted, makes it difficult for opposing hitters to discount any of Shields’ pitches, as he can seamlessly adjust his approach and continue to retire batters efficiently.

“In the fourth inning he can completely change his game plan and go a completely different direction and still have success, and that’s a rare thing,” the coach said. “It’s super exciting because you can’t really, as an offense, eliminate a pitch against him because he’s able to go a different direction and be able to still put you away.”

A critical aspect of Shields’ current development focuses on experimenting with pitch usage on a game-by-game basis. The coaching staff leverages data to pinpoint hitters’ weaknesses, such as tendencies to miss or chase certain pitches and aligns these insights with Shields’ strengths. Shields recalled a recent outing where he effectively switched from his sweeper to his gyro slider when batters began to anticipate the former.

Shields acknowledged the benefits of this adaptive approach, noting his improvement over the season. His fastball typically ranges from the low to mid-90s, and he expects an increase in velocity as he acclimates to the demands of professional seasons and refines his body mechanics. Nonetheless, Shields attributes much of his success to effectively locating his breaking balls, particularly in two-strike counts.

DeGagne emphasized that Shields’ diverse repertoire has proven effective in a starting role, describing it as unique for a left-handed pitcher. The organization envisions Shields’ future in this capacity.

While Shields is confident in his ability to pitch deeper into games, he remains open to any role that could advance his major league prospects. He doesn’t view himself as a late bloomer but rather as someone who became more comfortable on the mound after focusing solely on baseball in college.

Despite being slightly older for a minor league, Shields has the potential to progress rapidly through the Yankees’ system. He stressed the importance of seizing opportunities and performing well, recognizing that as an older prospect, he must make the most of his chances.

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