"The short answer is that it probably doesn't, as the combination of circumstance and sample makes a Yesavage redux nearly impossible to duplicate. Paul Skenes never should have pitched in the minors at all, yet the Pirates kept him at Triple-A for seven starts last year. Whatever brain genius decided on that path cost Pittsburgh a draft pick and a year of service time, which is all the more hilarious to me because of their skinflint owner."
"Cade Horton presents a similar example, provided he ends up finishing among the top two in NL Rookie of the Year voting as everyone expects. Though the circumstances are a bit different and he's not nearly the same overwhelming force of nature as his divisional counterpart, Horton was called up too late for the Cubs to benefit from prospect promotion incentives. Had he remained healthy, however, he might have been able to grab a little postseason glory of his own."
Trey Yesavage progressed from Low-A to a World Series Game 5 start and win after advancing through all four Blue Jays minor-league affiliates. He made five postseason starts, exceeding his regular-season total by two. The combination of unique circumstances and small sample sizes makes a similar trajectory unlikely to prompt systemic changes in pitching development across MLB organizations. Examples like Paul Skenes and Cade Horton illustrate how promotions often hinge on roster need, service-time rules, health, and timing rather than a replicable development blueprint. Teams weigh trade-offs including draft-pick penalties, service-time control, and immediate roster necessity when promoting pitchers.
Read at Cubsinsider
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