Swift Pitcher Caleb Durbin May Emerge as Surprise in Yankees-Brewers Deal
The New York Yankees improved their relief pitching by exchanging starting pitcher Nestor Cortes and prospect infielder Caleb Durbin with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Yankees obtained closer Devin Williams in the deal.
Durbin, a 24-year-old right-handed batter, might become a significant aspect of the trade on December 13 for this experienced evaluator.
Little doubt exists that Williams contributes to the Yankees' bullpen depth. Similarly, little doubt exists that Cortes enhances the Brewers' rotation strength.
However, Durbin might be overlooked by both Yankees and Brewers fans to some extent.
Regarding Prospect Caleb Durbin:
Durbin can play all infield positions, excluding first base.
Standing 5-6 tall and weighing 185 pounds, Durbin has speed and excellent instincts on the bases.
In the 2021 Major League Baseball draft, the Atlanta Braves selected Durbin in the 14th round.
Signed from Washington University in St. Louis, Durbin received a $50,000 signing bonus.
The Braves traded Durbin to the Yankees in December 2022.
Assessing Caleb Durbin:
Durbin played in the Arizona Fall League to gain at-bats after missing time in 2024 due to being hit by a pitch and breaking his right wrist.
This evaluator assessed Durbin during his participation in both the 2023 and 2024 Arizona Fall Leagues.
In both years, Durbin demonstrated a remarkable talent for stealing bases.
In 2023, he swiped 21 bases in 23 attempts.
During the fall, in only 24 games, Durbin broke the single-season Fall League stolen base record with 29 stolen bases in 30 attempts.
Durbin was also named the Arizona Fall League's Breakout Player of the Year, as he hit .312 with 29 hits in 117 plate appearances.
Durbin strikes out rarely, only six times in the fall.
Due to his aggression on the bases, Durbin's potential is limited.
Durbin's speed, however, cannot be dismissed. He has the ability to change a game by stealing a base at a crucial moment.
Durbin has yet to show significant power.
In his four minor league seasons, he has amassed 64 doubles, six triples, and 22 home runs in 1,216 plate appearances covering 281 games.
Because he makes good contact, Durbin is capable of taking pitches where they are thrown.
Durbin exhibits excellent eye-hand coordination and a short, measured stroke at the plate.
Durbin recognizes he isn't a power hitter and is adept at getting on base to attempt to steal.
His self-awareness is a significant factor in this evaluator's belief that Durbin can be successful at the major league level, albeit in a limited role.
It is likely that Durbin will become a utility infielder and pinch-runner coming off the bench.
His knowledge of the strike zone, his patience at the plate, and his ability to follow the ball out of the pitcher's hand has resulted in Durbin's favorable walk rate.
Defensively, Durbin is mediocre at second base, which this evaluator considers his most viable major league defensive position.
Durbin has good range and solid first-step quickness at second base.
Durbin does not appear to have enough arm strength to handle shortstop or third base consistently. Over time, his throwing deficiencies may become exposed.
Durbin seems to have reached his maximum physical potential.
Durbin played last year at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where he appeared in 82 games and received 375 plate appearances. He hit .287/.396/.471/.867 with 23 doubles, two triples, and ten home runs, driving in 60 runs and stealing 29 bases in 32 attempts.
Durbin struck out only 37 times during his time at Triple-A, while receiving 47 walks.
The Yankees saw enough in Durbin to place him on their 40-man roster prior to the trade with the Brewers.
Durbin is now on the 40-man roster of the Brewers and will be exposed to stiffer competition during Brewers spring training.
Scouting Grade:
Durbin is ranked No. 15 among Milwaukee Brewers players by MLBPipeline.com.
Durbin's limited tools are reflected in this evaluator's Scouting Grade of 45 for Durbin.
A player with a Grade 45 is a non-regular utility player. A player of that type has a limited, but crucial role on a club.
In Durbin's case, that role should begin with his ability to steal bases—an essential component of a well-rounded team.
A story below, authored by Chuck Murr, illustrates Durbin's success in the Arizona Fall League.
Durbin's addition to the New York Yankees' business operations could potentially bring a unique perspective to sports strategy, given his experience as a professional baseball player.
The trade of Caleb Durbin to the Yankees for sports money could prove beneficial for the team, considering his impressive base-stealing abilities and potential as a utility infielder.
