Yankees’ Will Warren shows poise in MLB debut despite early setbacks

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PHILADELPHIA — The New York Yankees called Will Warren for his pinstriped debut unexpectedly after their top ace Gerrit Cole was sidelined with body soreness. However, the 25-year-old right-handed rookie still found it a dream come true. He overcame confusion, uncertainty, and an early-inning bumpy ride to prove that his outing against the Phillies was not a mismatch but a solid one.

Will Warren received a surprising call from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre manager Shelley Duncan, who informed him he would be starting in place of Cole. The timing of the call, coinciding with the trade deadline, only added to Warren’s uncertainty.

Ranked as the Yankees’ seventh-best prospect by MLB Pipeline, Will Warren admitted his first reaction was one of confusion, wondering if something was really happening. Given Duncan’s playful nature, he even briefly wondered if it was a prank. However, the call was legitimate, and the rookie pitcher quickly found himself heading to Citizens Bank Park for his debut against the Phillies.

“My initial thought was ‘Dang, what’s going on?’ ” he said. “If you knew Shelley Duncan, you’d figure he was joking with me.”

Will Warren expressed deep satisfaction with his experience, saying he couldn’t have asked for anything more. Despite a tough start, including a run in the first inning and a three-run homer by Austin Hays in the second, which put the Yankees at a 4-1 deficit, Warren showed impressive resilience. He regained his composure and retired 12 of the next 14 batters before exiting in the sixth inning of the Yankees’ 7-6 win in 12 innings.

Reflecting on his debut, Will Warren noted that rather than feeling nervous, he was in awe. He described being overwhelmed by the stadium’s size, which far exceeded his expectations. Despite this initial shock, Warren managed to find his rhythm and adjust to the major league environment.

“I don’t know if I was nervous,” the Yankees debutant said. “More in shock, maybe. I looked around and said, ‘Dang, the stadium is bigger than I thought it was.’ It comes down to one mistake. He got it. That’s what happens up here. You keep pitching.”

Will Warren reflected on the crucial moment when Hays hit the home run, recognizing that in the major leagues, a single mistake can have significant consequences. He stressed the importance of perseverance despite such setbacks. The game took a turn when Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s three-run homer lifted the Yankees, sparing the rookie from a potential loss. Ultimately, the Yankees secured a hard-fought victory in extra innings.

His debut score was 5.1 IPs, 4 ERs, 4 hits, 6 Ks, 2 BBs.

Will Warren’s Yankees journey attests to his resilience

Will Warren’s journey to the majors this season has been remarkable. Although he was considered for Cole’s rotation spot during spring training, the position was ultimately filled by Luis Gil. This unexpected debut represents a significant milestone in Warren’s developing career.

The rookie faced a tough start to the season at Triple-A, posting a high 8.53 ERA in his first ten starts. Despite this rough patch, Will Warren has risen through the prospect rankings and is now the Yankees’ second-best pitching prospect, behind Chase Hampton. His ascent is partly due to the organization’s recent trades involving several young pitchers.

Will Warren’s performance improved in his final Triple-A outings, delivering solid results in three of his last four starts before his major league call-up on Tuesday. However, following his debut, the Yankees optioned him back to Triple-A, marking another chapter in his evolving professional baseball journey.

Before the game, Boone expressed strong confidence in Will Warren’s abilities, commending his self-assurance, character, and skill set. He acknowledged that while Warren had encountered challenges at Triple-A, he had also delivered numerous dominant performances. Boone emphasized that Warren had the essential tools for success at the major league level.

“He’s a confident kid,’’ the Yankees manager said. “We love his makeup, love his stuff. He’s had some bumps in the road this year [at Triple-A], but he also dominated a lot of outings. … He has all the equipment to go out there and be successful.”

Pitching coach Matt Blake echoed this sentiment, highlighting the team’s admiration for Will Warren’s composure and his resilience in overcoming early-season struggles in the minors. Blake noted his ability to make adjustments after a rough stretch and affirmed the team’s belief in his capacity to adapt to the major league environment. This endorsement from the coaching staff underscored their faith in Will Warren’s potential, despite his mixed results in Triple-A.

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