The Yankees are witnessing a much-improved version of right-handed pitching prospect Will Warren this spring. After losing out on a rotation spot last season and getting optioned back to Triple-A, the 25-year-old has returned with a different mindset and a more refined approach.

“I feel like last year, I kind of let that dwindle and that’s probably why I didn’t have as great of success as I would have liked to the whole year,” said Warren, via Greg Joyce of the New York Post.

Warren struggled in his first taste of big-league action, posting a 10.32 ERA over 22.2 innings in 2024. Despite striking out batters at an impressive 11.51 per nine rate, his command and consistency wavered. He later admitted that he let the mental side of the game get the best of him, leading to underwhelming performances.

Now, he’s taking things one step at a time, and the results are starting to show.

A More Focused Approach

This spring, Warren has been locked in, putting together a 2.87 ERA over 15.2 innings. His strikeout numbers remain strong, but the most promising improvement has been his control. He’s only walking 1.72 batters per nine, the best mark of his career, showing that his command is tightening up.

His ground ball rate is sitting at 52.5%, a key metric for the Yankees, who love his ability to generate weak contact with a strong sinker. His slider has continued to be a devastating weapon, and his pitch mix has been evolving in real time.

On Saturday, Warren got another chance to showcase his growth in the Yankees’ tie against the Tampa Bay Rays. He started off well but ran into trouble in the fifth inning, allowing back-to-back singles before being pulled by manager Aaron Boone. The bullpen couldn’t contain the situation, leading to Warren’s ERA taking an unfortunate hit.

Even with that setback, Boone came away impressed, recognizing that Warren simply ran out of gas late in his outing.

“I thought Will was good,” Boone said after Saturday’s tie. “Probably ran out of gas a little bit there at the end, not quite the good power and sink in that last inning that he was having. I loved how he was mixing his two-seam and four-seam today. I thought another good day for him overall.”

A Numbers Game in the Yankees’ Rotation

Warren has done everything in his power to earn a rotation spot, but the final decision may come down to roster management.

Carlos Carrasco, who is also in the mix for the last rotation spot, is on a minor league deal, which complicates things. If the Yankees don’t give Carrasco a roster spot, he could opt out and sign elsewhere, leaving them with one less arm to turn to.

Alternatively, Carrasco could agree to start the season in Triple-A with the expectation that he’ll be recalled in the near future. That would clear a path for Warren to claim the fifth starter job outright.

No matter how the Yankees handle it, Warren has positioned himself well for a major role in 2025. His improved command, refined pitch mix, and newfound mental approach have all put him in a strong spot heading into the season.

“You can’t ride that roller coaster; it’s going to drive you crazy,” Warren said. “If you can stay neutral and put your best foot forward every time you take the mound, good things are going to happen.”