The New York Yankees have several questions as the 2025 MLB offseason moves along. Following a disappointing ending in the World Series, the team is facing a potential talent shortfall next year. The potential absence of Juan Soto aside, what is the plan if second baseman Gleyber Torres signs elsewhere? It could involve prospect Caleb Durbin.
In the seven years Torres has played for the team, he is slashing a .265/.334/.774 line with 138 home runs. His fielding, however, has been an issue during his tenure, leading the league in errors for the last two seasons in a row. His decline in power, along with an increasing strikeout rate, is prompting discussions about moving on from the former top prospect. At the moment, it appears Torres is signing somewhere else.
However, in a sense, this could be a major blessing for the Yankees, who might not be keen to sign an estimated $15 million yearly deal. A cheaper option for the Yankees, and perhaps the correct one, could be calling on Caleb Durbin to fill the void.
What to Know About Rising Yankees Prospect Caleb Durbin
Bio/College Career
Surprisingly, Caleb Durbin is not on the Yankees’ top 30 prospects list, according to MLB Pipeline. When you look at his ability to adapt to the pros, it’s hard to justify keeping him off that list.
Durbin is a 5’6″, 180-pound shortstop who also can play second base. Drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 14th round of the 2021 MLB draft, he saw some success at the lower level before being traded to the Yankees in a deal for left-handed pitcher Lucas Luetge.
During his college career at Washington University in Missouri, the infielder slashed a solid .386/.477/1.085 with 33 doubles, 9 triples, and 10 home runs. He also displayed some speed for a second baseman, swiping 39 stolen bases in 47 attempts.
The most impressive stat is his strikeout-to-walk rate. Durbin walked 42 times in 439 plate appearances, good enough for a 10% walk rate. He only stuck out 10 times in his college career. That’s under 3%, which is unheard of for a three-year college player.
Think about that number this way. If you compared Durbin’s college strikeout rate to all MLB players for this past season, according to Team Rankings, Durbin has the best rate out of every single player. To have nearly as many triples as strikeouts in your entire college career is a seriously impressive skill.
Batting
Durbin’s hitting is his biggest asset and will continue to be for the rest of his career. His gap power, along with his eye, will make him a serious threat at the top of any batting order.
Just in his batting video alone, as shown above, Durbin has a moderate stride that stays straight while keeping his leg kick low. The second baseman uses his hands to square up on the ball, keeps his shoulders linear throughout, and is not afraid to extend his arms to foul off a pitch. He will use every part of the bat to make contact.
While his career numbers in the minors are not as impressive as his college stats, Durbin deserves a serious look. In four years, he is slugging a .269/.374/.781 line with 22 home runs and 153 RBI. In addition, he’s also tagged 64 doubles and six triples, cementing himself as a gap-power threat.
His OBP might not make him a leadoff hitter, but there is a reason to argue that he would be a great fit for the number-three spot. The batting production he gives off is too great to ignore, even when he’s in Triple-A.
In 82 games at the Triple-A level, which Durbin reached this year, he slashed a .287/.396/.867 line with 10 home runs, 23 doubles, 60 RBI, and 47 walks to 37 strikeouts. For someone who had never played at that level, it’s something to take investment in. Durbin might be ready for the majors sooner than we think.
Fielding/Baserunning
Gleyber Torres is a fielding liability. As mentioned in the beginning, 33 errors at the position in two seasons is not good enough and might be enough justification to move on from him entirely.
The good news for the Yankees is that Durbin is much better fielding-wise at the second base position. In 591 chances throughout four seasons, Durbin has only committed six errors at second base, but has turned 83 double plays. While it’s hard to estimate range and zone given limited data, his speed and quick acceleration could be a plus.
What we can say is that, when comparing Torres’ stats to Durbin’s, the 24-year-old’s range factor is better than his major-league counterpart. For a position that is critical to turning double plays and tagging out base-stealers, Durbin is an immediate fielding upgrade.
As for his baserunning, Durbin has stolen 110 bags in 128 attempts, good for a success rate above 85%. In Triple-A, Durbin went 29-for-32 in base stealing attempts.
This is a big need for the Yankees, as they stole less than 100 bases in 2024 and cannot seem to move their runners. Durbin’s Triple-A total alone beats team leader Anthony Volpe by one steal. If stealing is one part of the Yankees’ game plan in 2025, Durbin is a need, not a want.
Is Durbin Ready for Major League Time?
If comments from the Yankees brass are any clue, expect to see Durbin in 2025. Per Sportsnaut, this is mainly due to the 24-year-old’s impressive play in the Arizona Fall League, putting up a .301/.425/.943 line with 27 stolen bases. Chris Kirschner, the beat reporter for the Yankees at The Athletic, already reported that manager Aaron Boone is ready to welcome Durbin.
Aaron Boone on Caleb Durbin:
“I think he’s going to play a big, big role for us this upcoming season.”
— Chris Kirschner (@ChrisKirschner) November 11, 2024
What’s more important is that Durbin’s consistency and improving numbers justify a call to the majors. His eye, speed, and ability to work the count make him a must-start if he can prove himself in spring training next year. Subsequently, the Yankees save $15 million in their pursuit to re-sign Soto.
However, in the event the Yankees decide to either keep Torres or bring someone in, Durbin is an excellent trade piece. With no service time under his belt and total team control, he could headline a package for a lockdown, talented player. But, with the Yankees farm being thin at second base, expect them to roll with Caleb Durbin and see how it goes.
Photo Credit: © Mike Watters-Imagn Images
