The New York Yankees’ future looks promising, for the 2025 season at least. While they have reasons to worry for their second and third bases, the team will see a future prospect gracing their colors soon.
As teams around the league eagerly engaged in the Rule 5 Draft, the Yankees found themselves in a rare position. They had to keep Zach Messinger, a talented arm with a bright future ahead, unprotected and watch him go untouched. As per recent reports, the rising prospect Zach Messinger is set to debut for the Yankees in the 2025 season.
Although, this year’s Rule 5 Draft is typically a bit harsh for the Yankees. They often see their pitching prospects plundered by other clubs. However, when the dust settled, Messinger remained a Yankee. The 25-year-old right-hander, who spent all of 2024 honing his craft at Double-A, was seen as an obvious candidate to be taken. Yet he endured the draft without being snatched up.
As per @JimBowdenGM
— Jon from Maspeth (@JonFromMaspeth) December 17, 2024
Rays 1B Yandy Diaz for Yankees prospects #14 Brandon Mayea and #18 Zach Messinger could be in the works
Over the past three seasons, Diaz is hitting .302 with a .383 OBP, and a .836 OPS.
He has two years remaining for $10m and a $12m team option pic.twitter.com/mTwx2wpjhP
Messinger, a product of the University of Virginia, was drafted by New York in the 2021 MLB Draft after a strong showing boosted his stock. His collegiate journey was rocky due to limited opportunities during the pandemic. But he emerged strong in his junior year. Since joining the Yankees, he has gradually progressed through the minor league ranks. His stats went promisingly good particularly during his 2024 season where he lowered his ERA to an impressive 3.06.
Also Read: Marcus Stroman Potential Landing Spots: Yankees Hoping To Part Ways As Spring Training Nears
Yankees Could Highly Utilize Zach Messinger Coming This Season
What makes Messinger an intriguing prospect for the Yankees beyond his solid statistics, was his physicality. Standing at 6’6″ and weighing 225 pounds, he brings a powerful presence to the mound, capable of hitting velocities up to 99 mph. His fastball, typically clocked between 93-95 mph, combined with an effective slider, sets him up for success.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral MLB stories via Google! Follow Us
While his changeup and curveball are still developing, it’s expected that with more experience at the NY camp, he will refine even further. The Yankees made a series of strategic moves, opting to protect other players while keeping their eye on Messinger’s development.
Yankees No. 23 prospect Zach Messinger discusses his Opening Day start. pic.twitter.com/kf5nMlGEec
— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) April 6, 2024
Now, as they prepare for the 2025 season, the organization has options. They can utilize him as depth in the bullpen or potentially package him as part of a larger trade deal, should the opportunity arise.
However, the prevailing sentiment is that Messinger has an MLB debut on the horizon. Expectations are that he will start the season at either Double-A or Triple-A. A call-up could happen as early as May, depending on his performance in spring training. His initial role for the Yankees is likely to be as a reliever.
Also Read: Yankees Hot Stove Rumors: Bronx Bombers Target Two-Time Veteran World Series Champion
