Yankees rookie no. 25 bursts onto the scene with a reign of terror

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Yankees’ rookie No. 25 Griffin Herring unleashes dominant run in minors.

The Yankees may have uncovered a hidden gem in last year’s sixth round. Griffin Herring, a 21-year-old southpaw drafted from LSU, has transformed his first professional month into a compelling case for swift advancement through the system. Currently slotted as the organization’s 25th-ranked prospect, that designation appears increasingly obsolete with each dominant outing.

Pitching for the Single-A Tampa Tarpons, Herring has showcased a clinic in precision, deception, and competitive fire. His opening five starts have yielded a 3-1 record alongside a microscopic 0.60 ERA while amassing 39 strikeouts across 30 innings against just 10 walks. Having surrendered merely two earned runs during this stretch, the Yankees rookie currently leads all qualified Single-A pitchers in earned run average.

These statistics aren’t just impressive—they’re demanding attention. And thus far, Herring has proven virtually untouchable on the mound.

From college ace to professional standout

Herring arrived in New York’s farm system with a reputation for thriving under pressure. At LSU, the Yankees rookie served as a multi-inning bullpen weapon and carved out a crucial role during the Tigers’ 2023 championship season. His signature collegiate moment came during a 4.2 scoreless inning performance against Wake Forest in the College World Series. He followed with an exceptional 2024 campaign, posting a 1.79 ERA over 50.1 innings while earning All-SEC Second Team recognition.

Despite working exclusively in relief at LSU, Herring entered the Yankees organization with plans for conversion to starting duties. Early evidence suggests the transition has been not only seamless but potentially career-enhancing.

Command and movement trumping velocity

Unlike many highly-touted pitching prospects, Herring isn’t overwhelming hitters with high-velocity fastballs. His sinker typically registers around 91 mph—modest by contemporary standards—yet the Yankees prospect complements it with exceptional pitch shapes and pinpoint location.

His success stems from a devastatingly effective three-pitch arsenal. Herring’s slider remains his premier weapon, generating a 43.5% whiff rate while confounding batters from both sides with tight rotation and pronounced lateral movement. The revelation, however, has been the Yankees prospect’s changeup.

Previously underutilized during his collegiate career, the changeup has evolved into a reliable secondary offering. Featuring 13-14 inches of vertical separation from his four-seam fastball and inducing whiffs at a 39% clip, it plays remarkably well in conjunction with his primary pitches. When combined with his lanky frame and extended delivery, Herring’s mechanics create deceptive timing challenges that hitters have struggled to solve.

Setting records at Single-A

Herring’s most recent start showcased his dominance, as he struck out 11 batters through 6.2 innings while allowing just a single run. The most telling statistic? The 26 swings and misses he generated—the highest total recorded by any Single-A pitcher since MLB began tracking the metric in 2021.

Such swing-and-miss proficiency, particularly from a pitcher not relying on elite velocity, illustrates the advanced nature of Herring’s command and sequencing abilities.

The Yankees prospect’s strikeout percentage (32.8%) and walk rate (8.4%) both rank among the level’s elite performers. While scouts continue projecting potential velocity increases, it’s Herring’s refinement, pitch diversity, and mental approach suggest his Single-A tenure may be brief.

LSU connection boosts Yankees’ system

Herring represents just one piece of the LSU-to-Yankees pipeline currently developing. Eric Reyzelman and Thatcher Hurd—fellow Tigers alumni—are also ascending through New York’s farm system. However, it’s Herring who has distinguished himself most dramatically in the early season.

Selected after his sophomore campaign—while still draft-eligible—Herring faced the decision between returning to LSU or launching his professional journey. His ultimate signing with New York was influenced by the organization’s well-established reputation for pitcher development.

Though he began 2025 ranked 25th among Yankees prospects, Herring’s remarkable start is rapidly altering internal evaluations. Some organizational assessments now place him within the system’s top 15 prospects, citing his three-pitch feel, advanced sequencing ability, and execution under pressure.

Development path and projection

Herring’s command and polish have eased his transition into starting duties, though questions persist regarding how his repertoire will perform against more advanced competition. Evaluators believe continued refinement of his changeup and eventual development of a fourth offering—potentially a cutter or curveball—will be necessary for success at higher levels.

Additionally, even minimal velocity gains could substantially elevate his ceiling. Currently sitting 90-92 mph with his fastball, an increase to 93-94 mph, combined with his natural extension and deception, could transform the Yankees prospect into a legitimate middle-rotation candidate.

The High-A Hudson Valley Renegades currently feature a pitching-heavy roster with several arms approaching Double-A promotion. Should openings materialize, Herring appears poised to advance based on his current performance trajectory.

Emerging force in Yankees’ pitching development

The Yankees have cultivated numerous pitching success stories recently, and Griffin Herring could soon join those ranks. While prospects like Will Warren, Chase Hampton, and Drew Thorpe have garnered significant attention in recent seasons, Herring’s unique combination of deception, control, and pitch design is generating equal enthusiasm within organizational circles.

What began as developmental experimentation—converting a collegiate relief specialist into a professional starter—now presents as a potential long-term rotation piece for an organization prioritizing pitching depth and durability.

He may currently wear the No. 25 designation in the Yankees’ prospect rankings. But should this dominance continue, that number will inevitably change—and change rapidly.

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