The Yankees announced the addition of infielder Caleb Durbin and catcher Jesus Rodriguez to their 40-man roster on Tuesday, a move aimed at shielding both players from being selected in the 2024 MLB Rule 5 Draft, scheduled for early December.
Yankees protect top prospects from Rule 5 draft
Among the two, Caleb Durbin, 24, has garnered particular attention. Yankees GM Brian Cashman recently hinted at the young infielder’s potential to step into a significant role in the near future, specifically as a starting second baseman for the 2025 season. The comments came during this month’s General Manager Meetings, where Cashman addressed the team’s internal and external options at second base following their decision not to exercise Gleyber Torres’ club option.
“What are our internal options? Is that moving Jazz [Chisholm Jr.] over to second if you don’t re-sign Gleyber?” Cashman mused. “Do you look at Caleb Durbin, your internal candidate coming up? Is there an external candidate you can bring in as a free agent, or is there a trade candidate? Our job is to evaluate all of it and see how it aligns with the rest of the roster. Those are things we’ll be working through.”
Durbin’s performance in the minor leagues makes a strong case for his promotion. Over four seasons split between the Braves and Yankees organizations, he has posted a .269/.374/.407 slash line, accumulating 64 doubles, 22 home runs, 153 RBIs, and an impressive 110 stolen bases across 281 games. His 2024 campaign was particularly noteworthy, as he hit .275/.388/.451 with 25 doubles, 10 home runs, 60 RBIs, and 31 stolen bases in 90 games across Single-A, Double-A, and Triple-A.
Beyond his regular-season success, Durbin excelled in the Arizona Fall League (AFL), earning the league’s “Breakout Prospect of the Year” honors. He also set a Fall League single-season record with 29 stolen bases and was named a “Fall Star,” further cementing his status as a promising young talent.
Meanwhile, 22-year-old Jesus Rodriguez has emerged as a versatile and reliable offensive contributor. In 2024, Rodriguez hit .302/.375/.481 with 15 doubles, 10 home runs, and 47 RBIs over 295 at-bats in High-A and Double-A. While primarily a catcher, Rodriguez has showcased his adaptability by logging time at third base and in left field, adding to his value as a potential utility player.
The Yankees’ decision to protect Durbin and Rodriguez reflects a broader emphasis on fostering homegrown talent while maintaining depth across the roster. As the organization navigates offseason decisions, including second base options and potential external acquisitions, the inclusion of these two players underscores their faith in the team’s developmental pipeline.
For Durbin, the move represents a step closer to fulfilling the expectations set by Cashman’s remarks, while Rodriguez’s inclusion signals confidence in his ability to contribute both behind the plate and in other capacities. With spring training around the corner, both players will have the opportunity to further prove their worth as part of the Yankees’ future.
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Interesting. Neither Zach Messenger nor TJ Rumfield were added, and there are still only 37 now on the 40 man roster, and on Friday others will be dropped, so even less will be on the 40 man roster.