"The Yankees are designating outfielder Yanquiel Fernandez for assignment just five days after claiming him off waivers from the Rockies, reports Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com. The team hasn't announced the move or a corresponding transaction, but they still need to open a roster spot to make their reported re-signing of first baseman Paul Goldschmidt official, and this DFA would accomplish that. Fernandez turned 23 on New Year's Day but has already exhausted two of his three minor league option years."
"He made his major league debut with the Rockies this past season but hit just .225/.265/.348 with a 30% strikeout rate in 147 trips to the batter's box. Fernandez has struggled in parts of two Triple-A seasons as well, hitting a combined .259/.320/.437 through 409 plate appearances despite very hitter-friendly environments."
"In the 2023-24 offseason, Fernandez landed on the back end of top-100 lists at Baseball America, MLB.com and Baseball Prospectus. At the time, he was coming off a .265/.313/.486 showing with 25 home runs in 521 plate appearances across three levels, topping out as a 20-year-old in Double-A. Given that power output and his youth relative to the competition he was facing at the time, Fernandez was seen as a potential power-over-hit corner outfielder with a plus-plus throwing arm."
The Yankees designated 23-year-old outfielder Yanquiel Fernandez for assignment five days after claiming him off Rockies waivers to open a roster spot for Paul Goldschmidt. Fernandez has used two of three minor-league option years and posted a .225/.265/.348 MLB line with a 30% strikeout rate in 147 plate appearances. He also produced a combined .259/.320/.437 in 409 Triple-A plate appearances despite hitter-friendly environments. Fernandez entered the offseason on some top-100 lists after a .265/.313/.486 season with 25 homers, but an aggressive approach and poor plate discipline have hindered his offensive development. The Yankees likely hope to pass him through waivers and retain him as depth, though waiver priority and roster flexibility around camp could prompt another club to claim him.
Read at MLB Trade Rumors
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