Breaking: Yankees loose an infielder in a trade

According to releases from both organizations, the Yankees transferred infielder Keiner Delgado to the Pirates as the player to be named later in last month’s JT Brubaker trade.

The infielder was not on the Yankees’ 40-man roster and will therefore not be required to join the Pirates’ roster.

Last month, the Bucs traded right-hander Brubaker to the Yankees in exchange for international bonus pool space and an undisclosed player. Brubaker has not yet thrown for the Yankees because he is still rehabbing from last year’s Tommy John surgery and is on the 60-day injured list.

Delgado, 20, signed with the Yankees as an international amateur from Venezuela in 2021. He made his professional debut in the Dominican Summer League in 2022, making 238 plate appearances in 52 games. He walked at a remarkable 24.4% rate while striking out only 11.8% of the time. He only hit three home runs but slashed.310/.504/.506 for a wRC+ of 178 and stole 34 bases.

Last year, the Yankees promoted him to the Complex League, where he made an additional 239 plate appearances. He walked more than he struck out again, 15.1% to 13%, while more than tripling his home run total with eight this season. He finished the year batting.293/.414/.485, with 36 stolen bases. Defensively, he has played second, third, and shortstop.

Delgado was listed as the Yankees’ #22 prospect in 2024 by Baseball America, #20 by MLB Pipeline, and #22 by FanGraphs. Keith Law of The Athletic appears to be the most optimistic prospect evaluator, ranking Delgado as high as #7 a few months ago. Law compliments the switch-hitter’s effort from both sides of the plate and adds that Delgado could remain at shortstop, while some scouts believe he will wind up at second base or as a utility player.

He will now join the Pirates’ system as a long-term project, considering his youth and lack of experience in full-season ball. He will be eligible for the Rule 5 draft following the 2025 season, according to FanGraphs.