Gerrit Cole’s Injury Highlights Importance of Yankees Player Development in 2025
The 2025 season was always going to be a huge year for the New York Yankees’ player development.
Still, Gerrit Cole’s season-ending injury, along with a few factors, put even more pressure on it as we approach Opening Day.
The loss of Juan Soto would always have to be somewhat offset by the young players, even though Cody Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt were viewed as the replacements in the lineup. Anthony Volpe taking a step toward being at least a league-average hitter after seemingly refining his approach in the 2024 playoffs would be huge.
The same goes for Austin Wells taking that next step after a very encouraging first full season in the big leagues. Jasson Dominguez is expected to be a productive hitter.
Volpe, Wells, and Dominguez would be a huge part of the 2025 Yankees, regardless of whether or not Soto returns. It is no surprise that two first-round picks and a top international free agent signing are expected to be cornerstones.
Their development could keep the Yankees in contention for the next few years and establish a core as Aaron Judge enters the back half of his career.
PHOTO: Brad Penner/Imagn Images
Getting serviceable play out of Oswaldo Cabrera or Oswald Peraza at third base would be a nice bonus as well.
Those three are not the only players with a bit of a spotlight on them entering the season, however. With Giancarlo Stanton’s elbow injuries that are considered ‘severe, ‘ the designated hitter role is open for the taking for a few young players. The obvious name is Ben Rice, who showed flashes last season and has hit the ball harder after bulking up this offseason. Rice also has the versatility to play catcher or first base.
Everson Pereira
The other name that sticks out is Everson Pereira, who could, in theory, platoon at designated hitter with Rice, as they are opposite-handed batters. Pereira is a former top-100 prospect who has questions about contact skills but does hit the ball hard. As currently constructed, both Rice and Pereira could make the Opening Day roster, although it has been reported that Brian Cashman and the front office are looking for another bat.
Then we get to Cole’s injury, which is especially rough on top of Luis Gil’s injury, which will keep him out for months. As currently constructed, the Yankees will have Max Fried atop the rotation, with Carlos Rodon as the No. 2 starter. Marcus Stroman has a role in the rotation now as well. Clarke Schmidt, who has been in MLB for a few seasons, is looking to put a full season together after missing significant time in 2024. Before the injury, Schmidt was having a very promising season. A full season at that level of performance would be just what the Yankees need. That would be a player development success.
Will Warren
The fifth spot is seemingly up for grabs, with Will Warren being a name to watch. Warren is one of the Yankees’ better prospects at the moment, and although the results were not good in a few starts in 2024, there is optimism about Warren’s tools.
He has to put it all together at the big league level, and his spring training showing has been strong.
Carlos Carrasco
However, Carlos Carrasco is with the Yankees on a minor league deal as well, and they might have an incentive to start the season with him in the rotation. If they do not, Carrasco likely will opt out of his deal.
It might be worth seeing what Carrasco can provide in April before losing him for good. Regardless, Warren should be in the picture for a role sometime in 2025.
Most projection systems still have the Yankees as a contender atop the American League East and a likely playoff team, but getting there in 2025 might require a different formula than many were expecting.
PHOTO: Brad Penner/Imagn Images
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Categorized:Yankees