What looked like a disastrous start to a rookie campaign for Yankees starting pitcher Will Warren, has now taken a complete 180.
After six starts in April, the 26-year-old pitched to a 5.63 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, and 26 strikeouts in 24.0 innings. He surrendered 15 runs, walked 12, and 12 hits.
In just four starts in May, his ERA and WHIP this month are 2.38 and 1.15. In 22 innings, just two fewer innings in two fewer starts, Warren has struck out 34 batters, walked just six, surrendered 20 hits, and lowered his overall ERA to 4.05.
“I think I was close this whole time,” Warren said when he was asked if he feels differently compared to the start of the season. “It’s just like I talk about, the execution, just sticking with our plan and trusting that I’m here for a reason.”
Over his last three starts, he’s tossed 18 innings, fanned 26 batters, and has pitched to a 1.50 ERA and 0.88 WHIP.
On Tuesday, Warren had one of the best outings of his career, tossing 5.2 scoreless innings, allowing five hits, issuing just one walk, and fanning 10 in the win.
“He’s gonna be a big piece for us down the road,” said Yankees’ captain Aaron Judge. “He’s a big piece for us right now.”
There are only three American League pitchers with at least a 11 K/9 and they are Cole Ragans of the Kansas City Royals (14.19), Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers (11.62) and Warren (11.60).
Last season, when Warren got some reps, and at the start of this season, he had some command and control issues. There are multiple factors that could’ve resulted in inconsistent command. For example, MLB hitters are more disciplined than minor league hitters, or his mechanics are off, or nerves when pitching in the bigs, or the way the game is called for him, etc.
Warren won’t blow fastballs by hitters at 98-plus, but his average of 94.6 miles per hour is more than enough to get hitters out. Another reason he might’ve struggled is not mixing his speeds enough.
His fastball and sinker sit at around the same average velocity – 94.6-93.8. His sweeper and curveball sit below 83 mph, but his sinker and sweeper are getting demolished. Opposing batters are hitting .316 off the sweeper and .308 off his sinker.
When Gerrit Cole, Clarke Schmidt, and Luis Gil hit the injured list to begin the season, the start to the 2025 campaign for the reigning AL champs seemed uncertain from a pitching standpoint.
Now with Schmidt back, Carlos Rodón pitching at a high level, Max Fried looking like the best pitcher in baseball, and now Warren improving with every start, the Yankees seem to be trending upward in regards to their rotation. Maybe another pitcher in pinstripes will take home the AL Rookie of the Year award in 2025.
