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The New York Yankees made a significant move by acquiring right-handed pitcher JT Brubaker from the Pittsburgh Pirates in a trade announced on Friday. In addition to Brubaker, the Yankees also received international bonus pool money, providing them with additional flexibility in future transactions. The trade involved the Yankees sending a player to be named later to the Pirates.
Brubaker, a product of the Pirates’ system, is currently recovering from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent in April 2023. Despite this setback, the Yankees saw potential in Brubaker’s skill set and decided to bring him on board. The 30-year-old pitcher was originally drafted by the Pirates in the sixth round of the 2015 MLB Draft and made his Major League debut with the team in 2020. Throughout his career, Brubaker has posted a 4.99 ERA in 63 games, including 61 starts.
Known for his diverse pitching repertoire, Brubaker utilizes a five-pitch mix, featuring a four-seam fastball, curveball, slider, sinker, and changeup. Notably, he heavily relies on sinkers and sliders, which collectively make up the majority of his pitches thrown at the Major League level, as reported by Baseball Savant.
Despite undergoing Tommy John surgery, Brubaker demonstrated promising statistics prior to his injury. In the 2022 season, he achieved a career-high 144 innings pitched, showcasing his durability and effectiveness on the mound. Impressively, Brubaker’s ground ball rate, whiff rate, and chase rate all surpassed league averages, indicating his ability to induce ground balls and generate swings and misses from opposing batters.
As Brubaker continues his rehabilitation process, the Yankees have yet to disclose their specific plans for his return to action. However, given the typical timeline associated with Tommy John surgery, there is a possibility that Brubaker could make his comeback around the All-Star break. Once he is fully recovered, Brubaker could provide the Yankees with added depth and versatility in their pitching rotation, bolstering their roster for the remainder of the season.