Clayton Beeter, who has started 83 of his 92 career minor league games, is set to transition to a relief role going forward, according to Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake, as reported by the New York Post’s Joel Sherman. Blake explained that Beeter’s fastball-slider combination is particularly potent and works best in a relief setting, allowing him to capitalize on his swing-and-miss potential with fastballs at the top of the zone and sliders at the bottom. The Yankees believe this shift to the bullpen will enhance his effectiveness in shorter bursts.

This move isn’t entirely unexpected, as some scouts have speculated that Beeter, a second-round pick by the Dodgers in the 2020 draft, would eventually find his way to the bullpen at the major league level. Baseball America recently ranked Beeter 21st on their list of Yankees prospects, noting his potential for multi-inning relief. The 26-year-old right-hander has only pitched in relief in the majors, with all three of his MLB appearances (totaling 3 2/3 innings) coming out of the bullpen last season.

Beeter’s two-pitch arsenal, primarily his fastball (which sits in the low 90s but can reach up to 96 mph) and a dominant slider, has been effective in his minor league career, helping him achieve a solid 33.1% strikeout rate over 300 innings.

However, his control has been an issue, with a 12.7% walk rate, which is another factor that makes a shift to relief work a logical step. Additionally, shoulder issues have hindered Beeter’s health, limiting him to just 39 innings in 12 appearances in 2024, and he has dealt with another shoulder problem in the offseason. Despite this, he is back to throwing in side sessions.

Moving Beeter to the bullpen also aligns with the Yankees’ deep rotation options, with six potential starting candidates already on the roster and other options like Will Warren, Yoendrys Gomez, and Brent Headrick at Triple-A.

This transition allows the Yankees to keep Beeter’s arm fresh while also giving him time to adjust to his new role. Since Beeter still has two minor league options remaining, it is likely he will start the 2025 season in Triple-A, where he can further recover from his injury and refine his bullpen skills. If all goes well, Beeter could be called up during the season to contribute to the Yankees’ relief corps when a need arises.