Yankees' top pitching prospects amped for Spring Breakout
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TAMPA, Fla. -- As two of the most prominent pitching prospects in Yankees camp, Chase Hampton and Will Warren are eager to test their stuff against top competition. That includes potential opportunities to shine in the inaugural Spring Breakout games.
Hampton and Warren are ranked as the Yankees¡¯ top pitching prospects by MLB Pipeline, rated as Nos. 4 and 8 overall in the system, which makes them prime candidates to touch the mound during Major League Baseball¡¯s new initiative highlighting the game¡¯s future.
¡°I think it¡¯s going to be really good,¡± Hampton said. ¡°It¡¯s beneficial for the game. It showcases everybody¡¯s top prospects and makes everybody want to watch them.¡±
The Yankees¡¯ seven-inning Spring Breakout game is scheduled for March 16 at George M. Steinbrenner Field, when a squad of the Bombers¡¯ top talent will host a team comprised of the best and brightest players with rookie eligibility from the Blue Jays.
That contest will be part of a doubleheader at "The Boss," following a 1:05 p.m. ET Grapefruit League game between New York and Toronto. Full Spring Breakout rosters will be revealed on MLB Network on March 7 at 11 a.m. ET.
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¡°I would assume that there¡¯s a couple of us here who¡¯ll be throwing in that -- myself, Hampton, [No. 14 prospect Clayton] Beeter,¡± Warren said.
Gearing up for their first big league camps, the young hurlers each tossed two innings of live batting practice on a back diamond of the Steinbrenner Field complex on Friday afternoon, offering glimpses of the form that has enthused the Yankees.
¡°It¡¯s clear that Warren and Hampton are guys that are coming,¡± general manager Brian Cashman said. ¡°Those are easy names on the pitching side that people are going to watch. We¡¯ll see how that plays out this spring. We¡¯re excited about them all. Those guys are knocking on the door.¡±
Added manager Aaron Boone: ¡°We¡¯re excited that they¡¯re in camp with us, getting to check that box with that experience, which is important to be around our guys. I¡¯m excited about their progress and definitely feel like those guys have bright futures.¡±
Hampton, 22, went a combined 4-3 with a 3.63 ERA in 20 starts for High-A Hudson Valley and Double-A Somerset last season, permitting 85 hits and 37 walks across 106 2/3 innings, with 145 strikeouts.
¡°I think it was just me being a competitor, going out there and trying to win as much as possible, and honestly try to punch everybody out I see,¡± Hampton said. ¡°That was really the biggest thing.¡±
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Warren, 24, was 10-4 with a 3.35 ERA in 27 games (25 starts) for Double-A Somerset and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre last season. In 129 innings, Warren allowed 109 hits and 59 walks, striking out 149.
¡°My goal is to show them what I¡¯ve got and give myself a chance to break camp with the team,¡± Warren said. ¡°That would be awesome.¡±