Weeks into the New York Yankees regular season, many positives are glowing game by game, while the flaws are already known. The Yankees minor leagues also catch the limelight for the good and the bad. This includes Roderick Arias, Spencer Jones, and Brandon Leibrandt.
The major league team on the field has been on a tear, putting up phenomenal offensive showings. Recently, the farm system rankings have been released by Major League Baseball. The Yankees don’t look good in that sense.
On a positive note, one pitcher has been illuminating himself in the minor leagues. A decorated-experienced left-handed pitcher, Brandon Leibrandt has started off his season in the minors on a good note and will get management’s consideration for his return to the big leagues.
Top Prospect Roderick Arias and Spencer Jones Are off to a Quiet Start in the Minor Leagues
The Yankees expect their top prospects to be polished and producing early on this season. Jones and Ariask are currently under the radar, and expectations are high. Jones is expected to reach the big leagues this season, while Roderick has a year or so.
Yankees star prospect Jones started the year in Double-A Somerset and seems to be struggling. So far in the minor leagues this season, Jones has been in five games with 22 plate appearances and 16 at-bats. What has he done with those? Almost sweet nothing.
He’s recorded four hits, one being an extra base hit and the other being a double. Jones has two RBIs, scoring five times, striking out seven times, and walking five times. His batting average is at a weak .250, with a somewhat impressive .455 on-base percentage and .500 slugging percentage.
You think Jones is scary? Arias’ performance is horrible at the start of the year. The middle infielder’s bat has been almost non-existent. He has five games played, 25 plate appearances, 21 at-bats, and only one sad hit. Arias has recorded one RBI, one run scored, nine strikeouts, and four walks.
His batting average is currently .048, with a .200 on-base percentage, and .095 slugging. These players’ performances to kick start the year keep the farm system below the ranking it could be.
LHP Brandon Leibrandt is a Considerable Option for the Teams Bullpen
Most teams in the league are battling similar issues, and these lay in the bullpen. The Yankees are down two of their key starting pitchers, and have appropriately mitigated that situation. Their bullpen is still hit or miss.
One pitcher in the minor leagues has re-entered the limelight and may be considered for a return to the show. Brandon Leibrandt is a left-handed pitcher in the Yankees minor leagues, currently playing in triple-A for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.
The left-handed pitcher has two major league seasons and nine seasons in the minor leagues. He was drafted twice, most recently in the sixth round of the 2014 draft by the Philadelphia Phillies.
Leibrandt’s two major league seasons were with the Miami Marlins in 2020 and the Cincinnati Reds in 2024. The Yankees picked him up in the offseason.
Leibrandt’s statistical line has been impressive so far in the minors. He’s pitched in three games with a 1-0 record and a total of 14 innings pitched. The reliever has only allowed three earned runs on eight hits.
He’s struck out 16 hitters, walking eight, and holds a 1.93 ERA. The reliever’s work style doesn’t come close to overpowering or even generic power. Leibrandt barely reaches 90 mph on his fastball. His style also compares slightly to Ryan Yarbrough.
Leibrandt’s Pitches
Leibrandt has five pitch options: a changeup, slider, four-seam fastball, sinker, and sweeper. He’s heavily reliant on his changeup and slider, and can locate the below-average velocity fastball.
Leibrandt forces bad contact and forces a ton of roll-over contact. He has a career “AIR” (addition of fly balls, line drives, and pop-outs) of 52.9%. In 2024, his AIR was 44%. The reliever could find new life in the bullpen in the Bronx and be effective.
Main Photo Credits: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
