Just a few weeks ago the Yankees traded Chris Stewart to the Pirates in exchange for a player to be named later. In return the Yankees have received Low-A pitcher Kyle Haynes.
Drafted in the 20th round of the 2012 MLB Draft, the right-handed Haynes pitched to a 4.05 ERA and 2.04 FIP in Short Season-A. He had a good 10.8 K/9 and a decent 3.4 BB/9 over 26.2 innings out of the bullpen in his first real taste of pro-ball. As solid as he was in 2012, he was even better in 2013 when he moved up to Low-A. He had a 2.38 ERA and 2.68 FIP with a 9.18 K/9 and 3.89 BB/9 in 83.1 innings between the bullpen and starting rotation. After being converted into a starter at the end of the season, he maintained an ERA of 1.93, keeping opponents to a .184/.283/.250 batting line in 42 innings.
So far, in his short career, he has collected a total of 15 saves, and has been able to keep right-handed hitters to a .565 OPS, while lefties have a .638 OPS against him. Pirates Prospects didn't rank him in their top 50, but believe he could be a major league reliever some day.
Haynes was a reliever heading into the year, sitting in the 93-94 MPH range with his fastball, and touching 96 in the past. He's got good life on the pitch, attacking the zone and using a fastball-heavy approach. After success in West Virginia during the early part of the season, he moved to the rotation where the strong results continued. As a starter, Haynes was sitting 90-92 MPH with his fastball. He also mixed in his low-80s curveball, but still mostly leaned on the fastball. He doesn't profile as a starter in the majors, but if he can improve his curveball he could develop into a strong reliever.
Whether he stays in the rotation or moves back to the bullpen, the Yankees could move him up to High-A Tampa and he wouldn't be getting in anyone's way. Haynes might not end up being anything, but right now it looks like the Yankees did better than I expected they would for someone like Stewart.
