ESPN: The Yankees Re-Sign Former No. 5 Prospect With 95 mph Fastball To Strengthen Bullpen.
The New York Yankees brought back a pitcher who was previously considered a high prospect, maybe in the hopes that he would regain the qualities the team admired in him when he was first a member of the Yankees organization. This move might provide them more depth in their bullpen. In 2016, Roansy Contreras, a Dominican Republic international amateur free agent, received a $250,000 signing bonus with the Yankees. At the time, Contreras was just sixteen years old. The youthful righty took a few years to mature, but by 2022, he was considered a great prospect. However, at that time, Jameson Taillon had moved to the Bronx after the Yankees traded him to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Taillon used to be regarded as a high potential as well. In 2010, he was selected by the Pirates in the first round, second overall. The young Dominican pitcher was ranked as the No. 5 prospect by the Pittsburgh club right away. That year, MLB.com also ranked him as the 71st best baseball prospect. With the Pirates, however, Contreras never really took off. He pitched 182 2/3 innings with a 4.83 ERA and 1.418 WHIP in portions of four seasons. The Los Angeles Angels purchased him from Pittsburgh for cash in the middle of the previous season. He also had a 4.33 ERA in 52 innings pitched over 37 games, mostly all in relief, while he was in Anaheim, California. But he made two saves for the Angels.
Now the Yankees will see what they can get out of Contreras that they did not get the previous time. He has a fastball with a maximum velocity of slightly about 95 mph. According to Statcast data, he combines it with a slider that he uses on 25% of his pitches. Although he only threw the sweeper 7% of the time in 2024, he recently added it to his repertoire.
Prior to being selected by the Yankees, Contreras had a difficult winter. Teams must choose whether to release him or let him to fill a spot on their 40-man roster because he has no more minor league options. Four teams have already decided to do so this summer. On October 31, the Texas Rangers promptly grabbed Contreras off the waiver wire after the Angels designated him for assignment at the end of the season. His tenure as a Ranger was brief. He was DFA’d by Texas on December 13. The Cincinnati Reds selected him from the waiver wire six days later, but on January 6 they reversed course and DFA’d him once more.
The Baltimore Orioles claimed him off waivers this time in just four days, and the 25-year-old was DFAed again in six days. A week later, on Thursday, he was claimed by the Yankees.
It appears like Contreras could have an opportunity to contend for a position in the Yankees bullpen when the team’s pitchers and catchers report for spring training on February 11. If not, he will be subject to another waiver wire spin and another DFA. He could decide to accept a minor league assignment in the Yankees system in the hopes of reproving himself if no one takes him this time.
