Spring training is a crucial showcase for certain young players. The New York Yankees are zoned into evaluating players in their best interest. One Yankees reliever to catch several eyes so far this spring is Brent Headrick.
The Bronx Bombers’ pitching depth is crucial now more than ever. The Yankees received news that right-hander Luis Gil will be sidelined for a lengthy period.
The starting pitcher received his fate after an MRI confirmed a high-grade lat strain. Gil will be out for a minimum of three months. Filling his rotation spot will pull resources from the bullpen, so the Yankees will have to pad the remainder of the ‘pen.
Headrick will be in that conversation after showing positive signs down in Florida. The left-handed pitcher wasn’t expected to have a good chance of cracking the Opening Day roster. While his chances are still a long shot, the circumstances have turned in his favor.
Background on Yankees Reliever Brent Headrick
The left-handed pitcher competed for three seasons for Illinois State University in the NCAA’s Missouri Valley Conference. In his junior year, the Minnesota Tins selected Headrick in the ninth round of the 2019 MLB Draft.
In 2021, Headrick played for two teams within the Twins organization. He played Rookie ball and Single-A, where he totaled 63 innings. He only threw 1 2/3 innings in the Rookie league, while throwing 61 1/3 at Single-A.
Headrick finished that season with a 3.71 ERA, 88 strikeouts, and 35 walks. His 2022 strikeout record topped his entire minor league showing to that point. Headrick worked between Single-A and Double-A, where he finished with 136 strikeouts and 25 walks.
In 2023, he made his debut in the major leagues with Minnesota, throwing 25 2/3 innings with a 6.31 ERA, five games finished, one save, 117 batters faced, 30 strikeouts, 10 walks, and a 3-0 record. He only saw 19 1/3 innings in 2024.
Underrated Southpaw Showing Interest and Potential
Headrick is an organizational guy with the potential to reach the major leagues. His goal this spring is to crack the Opening Day roster. The left-handed pitcher has shown above-average performance so far.
His notable traits include being a left-hander with consistent command, a great understanding of his options, and the ability to utilize his entire repertoire.
So far, Headrick has impressed through 5 2/3 innings in three games of work. He’s allowed six hits, two runs, three walks, and 10 strikeouts. The Tampa Bay Rays, St. Louis Cardinals, and Philadelphia Phillies each experienced a 94 mph live fastball with darting action while facing him.
Brent Headrick’s fastball has taken a serious leap from last year, and the #Yankees might have found another low-cost bullpen weapon.
MPH: 92.2➡️93.7
IVB: 18″➡️19″ pic.twitter.com/5N6d0FEmRi— Ryan Garcia (@RyanGarciaESM) February 26, 2025
Complementing his fastball is a changeup and slider, which all have a chase percentage above 30% and a whiff percentage above 50%.
Headrick is campaigning for a shot back in the big show, but where would he fit in? Short relief would be the best projection for a pitcher of his caliber. One to two innings per game would be ideal, with an average of 45 innings per game.
He could see 150-plus batters faced and could be a strikeout machine when polished enough for the big stage. His performance going forward is worth paying attention to as the Yankees round out their bullpen.
Photo Credit: © Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
