The New York Yankees have inked a minor league deal with left-handed pitcher Tanner Tully, as reported by Matt Eddy of Baseball America. Whether Tully will receive an invitation to the major league Spring Training remains uncertain.
Yankees ink familiar face Tully for rotation depth
This marks the second consecutive offseason in which the Yankees have enlisted Tully on a minor league contract. In the previous season, he made 19 starts at the Triple-A level, tallying a 5.64 earned run average. Despite a modest 18.6% strikeout rate, Tully exhibited control with a 6.4% walk rate and maintained a solid 40.7% ground ball rate.
Tully’s journey took an intriguing turn when he was released in August, subsequently joining the NC Dinos of the Korea Baseball Organization. The southpaw concluded the season on a high note, making 11 starts for the Dinos and boasting a commendable 2.92 ERA. While his strikeout rate remained modest at 17.7%, his encouraging 4.9% walk rate and impressive 59.6% ground ball rate showcased his adaptability.
Throughout his minor league career, which commenced with his draft by Cleveland in 2016, Tully has consistently demonstrated a profile characterized by low walk rates and an ability to induce ground balls. Never exceeding an 8.2% walk rate at any minor league stop, Tully has maintained a ground ball tendency. Despite not being a prolific strikeout pitcher, he gained six innings of major league experience with the Guardians in 2022.
The Yankees, known for their preference for ground ball pitchers, are in need of additional rotation depth after including Michael King, Drew Thorpe, Jhony Brito, and Randy Vásquez in the Juan Soto trade. Gerrit Cole is set to lead the major league rotation, with Carlos Rodón, Nestor Cortes, and Clarke Schmidt following suit. The team has been linked to potential additions such as Blake Snell, Jordan Montgomery, Marcus Stroman, and Dylan Cease.
At 29 years old, Tully serves as valuable depth at the Triple-A level alongside pitchers like Clayton Beeter, Luis Gil, Yoendrys Gómez, Cody Poteet, and Will Warren. With prior experience in relief roles, Tully could potentially transition into a bullpen role later on. The Yankees faced a loss in their primary left-handed ground ball pitcher, Wandy Peralta, who departed in free agency at the conclusion of the 2023 season. Should Tully be added to the roster, he retains a full slate of options and only 15 days of service time.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
