After a slow rise, Yean is showing the Bucs what he can do
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BRADENTON, Fla. -- When the Pirates traded Josh Bell to the Nationals in the winter of 2020, they got two very different types of pitchers in return. One was Wil Crowe, a Major League-ready prospect. The other was Eddy Yean, a 19-year-old complete unknown with only 10 games of Rookie Ball experience. If one searched for videos online at the time, the most popular video was not Yean pitching but rather him flipping tractor tires in a workout video.
It¡¯s been a long road through the Pirates¡¯ farm system since that trade, but the now-23-year-old right-hander is in Major League camp. Friday afternoon offered a taste of his potential, as Yean recorded the final six outs to close the Pirates¡¯ 3-2 win over the Phillies at LECOM Park, striking out a pair.
Safe to say that save will serve as a better highlight video than flipping tires.
¡°I¡¯ve been working so hard to be known, and finally, I¡¯ve got the chance,¡± said Yean, via coach and interpreter Stephen Morales, after chuckling while remembering that video. ¡°I¡¯m grateful to have the chance to show myself and show what I can do.¡±
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Friday was a small sample of what Yean can do on the mound. He has two fastballs, a two-seamer and four-seamer that both sit around 94-97 mph, with the latter being a tough pitch to hit when it¡¯s in the upper third of the strike zone. He also has a changeup and a slider that gets good spin (averaging about 2,500 RPM), but the fastball is the calling card. When Yean is able to hit his spots, especially in the upper third, the results can speak for themselves, like his five fastball whiffs Friday.
¡°I¡¯ve been working on that, and I know I can get a lot of people out up there,¡± Yean said. ¡°That was one of the main focuses last year, to work the top part of the strike zone and go in with the sinker. It¡¯s working so far.¡±
¡°He throws strikes,¡± manager Derek Shelton said. ¡°I mean, there's 97 [mph] in there, and that's a big, imposing figure. Just continues to get better and has done a nice job for us in the Minor Leagues.¡±
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It¡¯s been a slow rise through the Minors for Yean but one that has picked up steam in recent years. He earned a very brief callup to Triple-A Indianapolis at the end of last season, posting a 3.36 ERA and 69 strikeouts over 75 innings between there and Double-A Altoona before making a stop in the Arizona Fall League.
Yean was set to be a Minor League free agent at the end of the season, but he re-upped with the Pirates this winter. The camaraderie that he¡¯s experienced while coming up through the system to his first Major League Spring Training is a reason why.
¡°One thing that has stood out this year is the connection with my teammates, the support of my teammates,¡± Yean said. ¡°They¡¯re not letting me out there in the middle of nowhere. They¡¯ve been really supportive and are always trying to help me. I like that about the team. I feel like I¡¯m connected to the whole clubhouse.¡±
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Unlike veteran relievers on Minor League contracts with non-roster invitations to Major League camp, Yean can be reassigned to the Minors if he doesn¡¯t break camp with the club. Considering he only had two appearances with Indianapolis last year, that seems like the most likely outcome.
But if Friday is an indicator, a 2025 promotion could be in the cards, and the long-shot half of the Bell trade could eventually hit five years later.
¡°I¡¯m giving my 100 percent just to make sure I put myself in a good spot,¡± Yean said. ¡°The team will make a decision, and whatever it is, I¡¯ll be happy for it, but we¡¯re working really hard to accomplish that and make the team.¡±