Yankees Spring Training Profiles (Part 2)

By James Vlietstra

February 19, 2026

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The Yankees are opening spring training desperate for a deep run into the playoffs.  They are coming off back to back 94 win seasons and have a streak of 33 consecutive seasons over .500.  However, they have not won a World Series since 2009.  They have only won one in the past 26 years, their worst stretch since the franchise began in 1903.

Because of the World Baseball Classic tournament, the Yankees will have more players in camp than they typically would.  As the players have begun reporting to camp, let's take a look at who is in camp and what we should expect from them this year.  From my best count, there's roughly six dozen players in camp.  So I am going to present them to you alphabetically, 12 at a time.

Camilo Doval...28 year old RHRP and on the 40.  The Yankees paid heavy for him in a four-for-one trade with the Giants last summer.  He struggled during his 18.2 innings post-trade.  He is making $6.1M this year and has three more years of control.  He also has two options left, allowing the Yankees some flexibility if he struggles again.  He will be playing for the Dominican Republic in the WBC.  Upon his return, they are hoping that he becomes a shutdown setup man in front of Bednar.

Duke Ellis...28 years old OF and NRI. He made his MLB debut in 2024, getting five stolen bases in five at bats.  Last year, he stole 40 bases for the Yankees' minor leagues, mostly with the RailRiders.  He was invited to spring training as an NRI. If he is added to the roster and recalled, he has two options remaining, allowing the organization to send him down without the risk of losing him.  Chances are, he will spend the entire year in Scranton, again.  He is the kind of player that used to get brought up in September when rosters expanded and would run wild.  That has been phased out of the game.

JC Escarra...30 year old C and on the 40.  He spent last year as Austin Wells' backup, playing in 40 games.  He is making the league minimum.  He still has six years of team control and two options.  He realistically will be making the league minimum money for the next three seasons.  If he is solid defensively, he doesn't need to do much on offense.  Once the playoffs come around, he won't play much anyway.  His biggest flaw is that he also hits lefty.  So if Wells rests against a tough lefty, Escarra is not set up for success.

Drake Fellows...28 year old RHRP and NRI.  The Yankees signed him to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.  Last year, for the Pirates AAA affiliate he pitched in 33 games, starting 19 and threw 112.1 innings.  He's expected to be a depth piece in Scranton.  He has never been on the 40-man roster before, so if he is promoted, he will have all three options remaining.

Yanquiel Fernandez...23 year old OF.  Fernandez played in 52 games with the Rockies last year.  He is a former top 100 prospect. The Yankees claimed him off waivers and then DFA'd him.  As of this writing, the corresponding move has not been announced.  The Yankees would love for him to slip through waivers so they can bring him to spring training and then ultimately send him to AAA as a depth piece with options remaining.

Max Fried...32 year old LHSP and on the 40.  In the second year of his eight year/ $218M contract.  He counts $27M towards the luxury tax.  Last year he was the ace of the staff, going 19-5 with a 4.4 WAR over 32 starts and 195.1 innings.  Staying healthy was very important.  This year, he should settle right in and hopefully repeat last year's performance, maybe even exceed it.  His success will have a direct correlation with the team's. 

Luis Gil...27 year old RHSP and on the 40.  He was the ROY in 2024 but then was injured and missed the first half of 2025.  He finished with 57 innings pitched.  He signed for $2.1M for this season.  He has three years of team control.  He also has an option left.  He will probably start the season as a starter, but as players return from injury, he could find himself in the bullpen.  He would have a lot of value on the trade market if they were to consider trading him.

Paul Goldschmidt...38 year old 1B and on the 40.  He returned with the team after signing a one-year free agent contract for $4M.  He will start the year by attempting to win Gold on Team USA in the WBC.  Then he will settle back in with the team in a reduced capacity for the first time in his career.  He played 146 games last year as the starting first baseman, two years removed from winning the MVP.  This year, he will be the righty part of a first base tandem.  He could see additional time as a late inning defensive replacement.  His clubhouse leadership may be his greatest contribution.  Nothing wrong with having a player with close to 400 career home runs coming off the bench late in a game during the playoffs.

Trent Grisham...29 year old OF and on the 40.  He had a career year in 2025.  The Yankees offered him the qualifying offer and he quickly accepted it.  So, he will be making $22M in 2026.  Contrary to what many fans thought, General Manager Brian Cashman has recently called his contract a bargain.  If he duplicates 2025, the team would be absolutely thrilled.  If he regresses towards his 2024 stats, he would still bring value as a defense-first fourth outfielder.  He will be a free agent after the season and could get a decent return at the deadline, should they decide to trade him then.

Abrahan Gutierrez...26 year old C and NRI.  The Yankees selected him in the AAA phase of the Rule 5 draft.  Last year, he played in 28 games at AAA for Pittsburgh.  Ironically, the Pirates have two former Yankees catchers in their Top 30.  He was given an invitation to spring training to help get their pitchers enough work.  He also becomes their number four catcher on the depth list, if there's an emergency.  He will likely stay in AAA all year.

Don Hamel...27 year old RHSP and NRI.  He was claimed off waivers and then designated for assignment.  He cleared waivers and was assigned to Scranton with an invitation to spring training.   He has two options left, should he be recalled by the Yankees.  Between 2022-24, he averaged 26 starts and 122 innings in the Mets farm system.  Last year, he spent more time in the bullpen and made his Major League debut.  He will be in AAA as depth.  A lot probably went wrong if he was brought up.

Chase Hampton...24 year old RHSP and on the 40.  The Yankees selected Hampton in the sixth round of the 2022 draft.  He was in AA by 2023.  Prior to the 2024 season, he was a consensus top 100 prospect.  He missed most of 2024 with what was described as arm fatigue.  Ultimately, he had Tommy John Surgery in February of 2025, causing him to miss the entirety of almost two straight seasons.  He was placed on the 40-man roster in November to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. At this point he should almost be on track to start the season on time.  They may keep him in Tampa to keep an eye on him to start the season.  If they need to open up a roster spot, he could be placed on the 60-Day IL.  I expect him to then be moved back to Somerset and back on the radar for getting in the discussion to once again becoming a top 100 prospect.  Currently, MLB Pipeline has him listed as their number eight prospect.  He could be a late season option if everything goes right.  He still has his three options remaining.