Under-the-radar Yankees: These 5 surprise players could crack the 2024 roster
TAMPA, Fla. – Here at Yankees camp, a new-look lineup with Juan Soto and questions about the club’s rotation depth take center stage.
Away from the spotlight, there’s always a handful of players quietly making gains.
As we approach March, here are five under-the-radar Yankees drawing some attention in spring training:
Jorbit Vivas
Age: 22
Position: Infielder
Status: 40-man roster
“He’s interesting,’’ manager Aaron Boone said Monday, after the lefty-hitting second baseman drilled his second homer in his third exhibition game.
Known for his contact rate, Vivas “was an important part’’ of a December trade that also brought lefty Victor Gonzalez from the Los Angeles Dodgers, in exchange for infield prospect and 2021 No. 1 draft pick Trey Sweeney.
The Dodgers needed to clear 40-man roster space to add Shohei Ohtani and Joe Kelly, and the Yankees “did a lot of homework, talked to some people who had (Vivas) and definitely liked his bat,’’ said Boone.
Last year, Vivas reached Triple-A in the Dodgers’ system (26 games) and he’d be a consideration to open 2025 for the Yankees at second base if Gleyber Torres leaves via free agency.
Vivas can get on base, steal bases, and he shows some power, with an .805 OPS in 474 minor league games.
The Yankees plan to test his versatility at third base, but “I feel he’s definitely solid at second,’’ said Boone. “Excited to see more of him.’’
Nick Burdi
Age: 31
Position: Relief pitcher
Status: Non-roster
Boone and pitching coach Matt Blake have talked up the hard-throwing right-hander since camp began.
“(His) stuff’s as good as it gets,’’ Boone said recently.
“It’s real,’’ Blake said of Burdi’s “tantalizing stuff,’’ which has been on display sporadically during four big-league seasons marred by injuries and rehab.
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Burdi has already touched 100-mph with his fastball in camp, drawing swings and misses from the Yankees’ A-list hitters during live batting practices.
If he maintains his arm healthy, Burdi could be another stealth bullpen find by the Yanks.
Twice, Burdi has undergone Tommy John surgery, and he missed the 2022 season due to an elbow sprain, making it back to the majors in 2023 (three appearances) with the Chicago Cubs.
Luis Torrens
Age: 27
Position: Catcher
Status: Non-roster
This camp, the Yankees boast the most catching depth they’ve had in a while, with five on the 40-man.
Among the four non-roster invitees, Torrens is a familiar face.
Signed by the Yankees as an international free agent in 2012, Torrens was lost in the Rule 5 Draft and has bounced around the big leagues since 2017.
In 2021, Torrens clubbed 15 homers in 108 games for the Seattle Mariners, and he’s already shown some power in camp, with two homers in his first three exhibition games.
Torrens’ defensive grades have slipped in recent years, but he’s made four Opening Day rosters and is injury insurance behind Jose Trevino, Austin Wells and Ben Rortvedt.
Cody Poteet
Age: 29
Position: Starter/relief pitcher
Status: 40-man roster
Signed as a free agent, “he’s definitely somebody we valued and targeted this winter,’’ Boone said.
A former fourth-round draft pick out of UCLA, the right-handed Poteet pitched briefly with the Miami Marlins in 2021 and 2022 (19 games, nine starts) before losing most of 2023 due to Tommy John surgery rehab.
Armed with a four-pitch arsenal, “he looks to be a guy that can help us,’’ said Boone. “I think he can pitch.’’
Poteet made the Marlins’ 2022 Opening Day roster and limited opponents to a .223 batting average and posted a 0.43 ERA over his first 21 innings before landing on the injured list due to elbow issues.
“Cody has the ability to start (and) we’re excited to have him,’’ said Boone, adding that “whatever 13 pitchers we end up taking (on the 26-man roster), 14 through 25 is really interesting.’’
Anthony Misiewicz
Age: 29
Position: Relief pitcher
Status: Non-roster
Last season, the lefty pitched with the Arizona Diamondbacks (7 games) and Detroit Tigers (1 game) before landing with the Yankees.
In his third Yankees appearance, Misiewicz was struck in the side of the head by a liner at Pittsburgh (Sept. 16), ending his season on the 7-day concussion protocol list.
“It did feel good to face some hitters in a game setting,’’ Misiewicz said of his exhibition debut Sunday, tossing a scoreless inning against the Toronto Blue Jays.
A veteran of 130 MLB games since 2020, “I definitely wanted to come back (to the Yanks),’’ said Misiewicz, who had faced live batters “three or four times’’ on back fields prior to Sunday.
Lingering thoughts about last September’s accident “always creep in prior to getting on the mound,’’ said Misiewicz. “But you’ve got to be able to wash it out and attack these hitters.’’
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Why Jorbit Vivas, Nick Burdi could make Yankees 2024 roster
