Yankees Claim Yanquiel Fernández Off Waivers to Add Depth

Unearthing a Diamond in the Rough: Yankees Take a Flier on Yanquiel Fernández

This article takes a look at the New York Yankees’ recent decision to claim outfielder Yanquiel Fernández off waivers from the Colorado Rockies. We’ll get into why Colorado designated him for assignment, his past as a top prospect, and the rough patch he’s hit lately in both MLB and Triple-A.

We’ll also touch on what this move could mean for both teams and try to figure out where Fernández might fit in the Yankees’ already-crowded outfield.

The Rise and Fall of a Rockies Prospect

Yanquiel Fernández’s climb through the minor leagues started with a lot of hype. The Rockies signed him out of Cuba, and at first, his bat really made some noise.

But lately, his production has dipped, and that’s what made him available in the first place.

From Cuban Phenom to Fading Star

Fernández moved up the ranks fast, mostly thanks to his big power. His 2023 season stood out—he crushed 25 home runs across three levels.

That year got him onto Colorado’s 40-man roster and some serious attention as a prospect. Baseball America even ranked him as high as No. 3 in the Rockies’ system and No. 92 overall.

But then came the jump to the majors, and it hit him hard. His offense just didn’t keep up.

His major league stats tell the story: a rough .225/.265/.348 slash line over 147 plate appearances and a sky-high 29.9% strikeout rate. Even in Triple-A, where hitters usually thrive, he only managed a .259/.320/.437 line, which worked out to a 77 wRC+.

The Rockies decided to designate him for assignment after that kind of drop-off.

Yankees’ Gamble: What Can Fernández Bring?

The Yankees, always hunting for upside, jumped at the chance to grab Fernández. On paper, it’s a low-risk move, but it comes with its own set of questions.

Evaluating Fernández’s Skill Set

Fernández mostly plays the corners in the outfield and has a solid arm. His defense isn’t his calling card, and his baserunning is just okay.

His bat—especially the power—has been the main attraction, but that’s faded lately. The Yankees are clearly hoping a new environment and their hitting coaches can help him get that pop back.

They’ll need to clear a 40-man roster spot to make room for him, which shows they’re at least a little invested in seeing what he’s got.

The Rockies’ move to let go of Fernández probably had a lot to do with changes up top and a shift in philosophy. With Paul DePodesta now leading the way and new outfielders like Jake McCarthy and Edouard Julien coming in, Colorado seems to be heading in a different direction, maybe looking for players who can help right away or just fit their new mold better.

Fitting into the Bronx Bombers’ Outfield

Even if Fernández finds his swing again, he faces a tough road to crack New York’s big league roster. The Yankees’ outfield is overflowing with talent right now, and competition is fierce.

Fernández looks set to open at Triple-A, serving mainly as organizational depth. The Yankees have a stacked outfield depth chart, with both established stars and some eye-catching prospects:

• Aaron Judge
• Trent Grisham
• Cody Bellinger (assuming he re-signs or they land a similar player)
• Giancarlo Stanton
• Jasson Domínguez (a top prospect with a ton of upside)
• Spencer Jones (another exciting young talent working his way up)

With so many names in the mix, Fernández has to absolutely rake in Triple-A to even get a look. If he struggles, the Yankees might just try to sneak him through waivers again. Honestly, it’s a classic low-risk, high-reward flyer—maybe they see something others missed, maybe not. Guess we’ll find out soon enough.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Yankees To Claim Yanquiel Fernández