The Yankees beefed up their roster depth Wednesday, claiming infielder Braden Shewmake and right-handed pitcher Owen White off waivers. To make room, they designated righty Allan Winans for assignment, bringing their 40-man roster to capacity.
Shewmake brings versatility to the Yankees’ infield mix. The former Braves first-round pick (2019) can handle second, third, and short – though he’s spent most of his time at Triple-A the past three seasons. He got his first taste of the majors in 2023, appearing in two games with Atlanta before being traded to the White Sox, where he played 29 more.
The 27-year-old’s minor league numbers tell an interesting story. Over 356 games, he’s posted a .708 OPS with 38 homers, though strikeouts have been an issue (283). What’s intriguing is his pedigree – he was ranked as high as No. 6 in the Braves’ system by MLB Pipeline just last season.
White’s another interesting lottery ticket. The 25-year-old righty was a former top 100 prospect with the Rangers, though his brief MLB experience (five games over two seasons) hasn’t gone smoothly – hence the 16.17 ERA. His minor league track record shows more promise: a 4.37 ERA and 1.34 WHIP across 323.1 innings.
The Rangers let White go this winter, and while the Reds claimed him in January, they designated him for assignment less than a month later. That’s where the Yankees stepped in, hoping to tap into the potential that made him a second-round pick.
These moves fit the Yankees’ pattern of collecting high-upside depth pieces. Both players were highly regarded prospects not long ago, and sometimes a change of scenery is all it takes. They’ll get a fresh look in spring training, where the Yankees can evaluate if either might contribute in 2024.
Recent Yankees Updates
- The team’s still looking for a trade partner for their two-time All-Star
- They’re considering a former $70 million free agent to address their biggest need
- One of their polarizing free-agent sluggers is projected to join an AL contender
