Alan Horne

by John Sickels on Dec 16, 2025 4:43 PM EST in News

Alan Horne, RHP, New York Yankees
Bats: R Throws: R HT: 6-4 WT: 195 DOB: January 5, 2026

Horne has finally overcome his injury-plagued college career, emerging as one of the better pitching prospects in the game. His velocity has returned to pre-Tommy John standards, hitting 93-95 MPH last year in Double-A. Both his curveball and slider have improved, and last year he added a major league changeup to the arsenal, giving him four solid or better pitches. His command, erratic in the past, also took a step forward. All of his numbers were just fine for Double-A Trenton, and it was only the emergence of Chamberlain, Hughes, and Kennedy in the Yankees system that kept Horne from getting more attention. Assuming that his command continues to hold up, we should see him in the majors sometime in 2008, and it would not surprise me at all to see him thrive there, earlier than people expect. Grade B, and that might be a notch too low.

What do you guys think about Horne? Is Grade B too low or just right, or too high for that matter?

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As much as I hate to admit it

I think he's a B+.

He profiles so well. I havent seen much of him pitch, so that's my only concern, but other than the fact that he flew under the radar his resume looks a lot like a B+ to me.

I was skeptical but now Im a believer.

by alskor on Dec 16, 2025 4:33 PM EST 0 recs

Oh

I hate to admit it b/c Im a Sox fan, fyi...

Still think Jackson and Tabata are being slightly overrated for their tools, though, but I really like Horne. He's way closer to Kennedy than he's getting credit for.

by alskor on Dec 16, 2025 4:45 PM EST up 0 recs

Sure sounds like

a B+ player to me...

--http://yankeesfuture.wordpress.com Bobby Mcnally (alias)

by bobbymcnally on Dec 16, 2025 4:50 PM EST 0 recs

Just right

B+ stuff, B- age and injury history. His 2nd-half numbers last year were somewhat worrisome.

I'd like to see him stay as a starter, but it's awfully tempting to throw him into a setup role, especially if Humberto Sanchez isn't ready.

Todd Frazier for President

by FrazierFan on Dec 16, 2025 5:02 PM EST 0 recs

+1

If Bowden and Masterson are B prospects, with all things considered I think Horne should be too, even if Horne is a smidgen better.

Hey fish, leave those kids alone!

by The Congo Hammer on Dec 16, 2025 5:04 PM EST up 0 recs

Horne

I'm a Yankee fan, and I think that Horne is right there, by your criteria, on the border of B/B+. On one hand, he had a great year with very good rate statistics, good stuff, and a close position to the majors. On the other hand, this is his first real solid year in a long time.

I'd rate him above Bowden, who got a B, but below a lot of other B+ picks.

by DownFromNJ on Dec 16, 2025 5:02 PM EST 0 recs

"very good"

I think they were "good" as in "solid", but he was a little hittable (8.75/9) and the BBs weren't "very" good (3.35/9). Maybe quibbling, but a 1.34 WHIP in AA just don't get a "very good" as rate stats in my book.

I will give you that the low HR is very nice, though.

by siddfynch on Dec 16, 2025 5:08 PM EST up 0 recs

I'm not really a fan

I might be the naysayer here but what has he done in the minors before this year?

Yes he was recovering from TJ surgery, but as a 24 year old pitcher he's got little room for error. All of his numbers were fine for AA Trenton, but I'd like a little bit of a history before I give a guy a B+.

To me he's a B- aggressively rated, a C+. He's also not going to make the rotation any time soon unless he's traded.

Wang
Joba
Hughes
Kennedy
(Maybe he has a year before someone like Dellin Betances would be ready)

This year they have Pettitte as well.

So unless one of their youngins flame out, he's not going to get a shot till late...

by cubsfan2883 on Dec 16, 2025 5:03 PM EST 0 recs

flame out?

re: "So unless one of their youngins flame out, [...]"

The way you write this, it's as though you think it's unlikely. Pitching prospects fail as often as they succeed. If Hughes and Kennedy really meet expectations, and Joba really nails down a rotation spot, I'd say that the Yankees have really beaten the odds. Personally, I think of one Hughes/Kennedy will essentially "fail" - dropping to a mediocre starter or "okay" reliever, and Joba will be used as an excellent setup man until Mo retires, when he'll become the next great Yankees closer. But that's just conjecture at this point. If Horne pitches well, he'll get innings.

by BobbyMac on Dec 16, 2025 6:31 PM EST up 0 recs

no problem with that idea, but

if you're going to think like that, what's the fun of evaluating propsects?

--http://yankeesfuture.wordpress.com Bobby Mcnally (alias)

by bobbymcnally on Dec 16, 2025 6:45 PM EST up 0 recs

Joba will be a starter

Everyone needs to stop with this Joba as a setup man or closer stuff. The guy dominated the minors as a starter and was only brought in as a reliever to keep his innings down and help the bullpen. He is a starter and will be a starter. Why would you take a guy who has the potential to be a frontline ace and throw 6 plus innings every fifth day and make him your closer? In my oppinion closers are almost a dime a dozen. Yes they are very valuable but they are also easy to find. Sanchez could be a closer, maybe even horne.

by FishHead on Dec 16, 2025 7:11 PM EST up 0 recs

Good closers arent a dime a dozen

And closers like Joba are even more rare(IF that is what he ends up as). But I do agree the importance of a closer is far overrated.

Its a little early to say Joba is definitely one or the other when he's only been in pro ball one year, IMHO.

Im not sure what to expect from Sanchez.

by alskor on Dec 16, 2025 7:16 PM EST up 0 recs

I'd rather have the closer

"Why would you take a guy who has the potential to be a frontline ace and throw 6 plus innings every fifth day and make him your closer?"

This statement pretty much answers my question. I'd prefer to have a guy pitch everyday for an inning in dominance rather then appearing just 20% of the time.

I really like Papelbon as a closer and it's a risk to take him off that position as they would have to find a replacement and there is that chance where we would be a mediocre.

I would feel uneasy moving Joba back to the rotation despite the clear track record of success. He may be great there eventually (you may see a year of struggling but you would have to be patient) but what if it doesn't work out? If you then switch him back to the bullpen you can wreck him...

Go Jays!!!!

Allan's World

Blue bird Banter

by achengy on Dec 16, 2025 7:34 PM EST up 0 recs

Let me ask you this

If I proposed a trade of JJ Putz for Jeremy Bonderman who gets the better of it. I think the Mariners would in a landslide.

Bonderman is a solid but erratic #3 starter (something like Joba's 50% possibility) and Putz was top 3 closer in baseball last year (Joba's upper projection as a reliever)

Personally I would take a solid #3-#4 over any closer in baseball.

by Kanst42 on Dec 17, 2025 8:35 AM EST up 0 recs

to be honest, ...

I wholeheartedly agree with you, and find the salaries paid to relievers simply unfathomable. But:

a) This isn't how teams see the "value" of closers. And...

b) He's shown almost perfection of 2 pitches now. That's probably enough to dominate in a late-inning role already. How much "practice" do they give him to perfect another pitch before taking the known/proven benefit he can provide in the pen?

by BobbyMac on Dec 16, 2025 8:23 PM EST up 0 recs

Tough call

I like the fact that his control ratios improved in 2007, but note that this was almost exactly balanced out by being more hittable (1.35 WHIP in 2006 vs 1.34 in 2007). It was nice to see the K rate bump up a bit and the HR drop a bit, but it's not like he was exceptional given his ARL (24 before the start of AA). I can see the justification for B+, but I'd probably leave him a B, with sleeper status.

What kind of grades to you give Wade Davis and James McDonald? I'd say Horne is below them at this point.

by siddfynch on Dec 16, 2025 5:04 PM EST 0 recs

I'd put him above McDonald

but not even close to Davis.

Horne might have even had some room for improvement, as his .341 BABIP for the year was on the high side.

I do advocate caution though. Based on his first half last year, I was the biggest Horne fan out there. Walks and HRs shot up in August though (we saw some other prospects like Marquez, Cervelli, Kontos, etc... fall off in the second half too - at least that was counterbalanced by the rise of Austin Jackson)

Todd Frazier for President

by FrazierFan on Dec 16, 2025 5:10 PM EST up 0 recs

McDonald vs Horne

I'd like to know more about both these guys, and specifically why Horne should be below McD. Can you give me a scouting report or some #s? As is, everything I can find does not warrant putting Horne > McD.

Performance. McD had 168K/37BB in 134 IP in 2007, good for a 1.06 dominance indiex. Horne = 165/57 in 153 IP, with a dominance of .80. Yes, much of McD's came in A+, but that was in teh Cal league, which usually causes some serious inflation in the raw stats. Advantage = McD.

ARL. Horne is at AA at age 24, McD at 22 in A+/AA. Even if you don;t as much stock into ARL for SPs, that's a big difference.

Velocity. Conflicting reports on McD's velocity - I've heard 88-92, or 90-94. Which is it? Horne is 92-95, so is either a wash, or advantage = Horne.

Injury history. TJ for Horne, none that I can find for McD. Advantage = McD.

So in upshot, McD had more impressive numbers, in a league that was as tough, or tougher, at a younger age, and has a cleaner injury history (as far as I can tell). You'd have to give me some compelling info about their pitches to make me agree that Horne is really that much of a better prospect than McD in 2007.

Now, I admit I don't know enough about their stuff - I'd like to know more, if anyone can speak to both of these guys.

by siddfynch on Dec 16, 2025 8:27 PM EST up 0 recs

horne

has underrated stuff. his BA scouting report quoted a scout saying he had 4 potential plus pithes, and most others see all of his pitches as at least above average, with the fastball and curve being plus and the slider and change above average flashing plus.

also, horne is more of a GB pitcher as opposed to the flyball tendencies of mcdonald

by bmxstreetrider86 on Dec 16, 2025 11:48 PM EST up 0 recs

And if he played for a team like the Orioles

He'd be a C+

by cubsfan2883 on Dec 16, 2025 5:09 PM EST 0 recs

I give hime a B- or a solid B

His age is a problem though, I mean he is 24 years old which to me takes some points off.

I like his stuff though, very good fastball and good secondary pitches. Not to mention he seem to put all together and had a very good year.

To me his ceiling is a good #3 with outside chance to be a #2 but a #3 most likely. Not to mention with the great arm strenght he has, he can be a top notch set up man or closer. So he has some very good alternatives if he doesn't pan out as a starter. He has the goods thought.

I like him alot, and he's a good prospect.

by NYYLover1000 on Dec 16, 2025 5:23 PM EST 0 recs

Alan Horne

I hear some scouts compare Horne favorably to Brian Bannister. Same off speed stuff with better fastball. I'll take that...
John,
Where are the other 19 top prospects for the Bombers?

by VOIII on Dec 16, 2025 5:32 PM EST 0 recs

Horne is the Yankees only prospect this year

in the book.

Just more Red Sox-centric thinking.

(PS I think theyre coming soon... he generally puts up a little teaser first to get discussion going)

by alskor on Dec 16, 2025 5:57 PM EST up 0 recs

+1

exactly what i was thinking

by sabernar on Dec 16, 2025 5:40 PM EST 0 recs

Horne should be...

B/B+ for some reasons.

He had a past reputation of being the former 1st round pick out of high school by Indians. I don't know the reason why he chose to go to college though. In the Minor Leagues, he refined his mechanics to cover up some flaws in his delivery, and it worked out well. I checked Horne's progress consistently during 2007 season and boy, he could eat innings.
Good stuffs. 93~95mph fastball with live and good curve. I heard from like last year that his curve is like a 'hammer'.
Stats: Yeah, he does have 1.34 WHIP in AA, but it's mostly because of his 57 walks in 153.1 IP. He allowed less hits per innings and 165 K's in 153.1 IP. I'll take that anyday... also check out his HR rates too, they are good. His GO/AO rates are 1.44 too, which is good, IMO.
Needs to improve: command. 53BB's in 153 IP is one of the reason why he's not Buchholz or Joba... well he did make a great stride from 2006 though. He's also older than normal 'top prospects' (turns 25 in Januray)

If he can improve commands, he should be #2/3 starter

by shakezula on Dec 16, 2025 5:54 PM EST 0 recs

Must be some weird system

That favors good farm systems that are well managed.

Weird.

by alskor on Dec 16, 2025 5:55 PM EST 0 recs

horne

Horne caught my eye this year, not having heard of him in the past. I like to reference opponents BA and whip (looking at both hits and walks indepently and together). I don't think he had the dominance at the plate at AA to translate into a factor in the bigs at this point. Stuff is nice, but he's not a pitcher yet. A nice step forward in 07, but he needs to take another.

There are big differences between Joba and Kennedy's stats in terms of controlling the at-bat than Horne posted in 07. I will be watching in 08 though!

C+/B-

by davidsabin on Dec 16, 2025 6:20 PM EST 0 recs

A-?

re: "If Alan was playing for Redsox, he would be an A- prospect."

I think if this were the case, there'd still be Red Sox faithful posting here about how he's clearly an "A" pitcher, since his arm is now "stronger than ever" after the surgery.

by BobbyMac on Dec 16, 2025 6:33 PM EST 0 recs

+1

Hahaha. That is exactly true

by FishHead on Dec 16, 2025 7:12 PM EST up 0 recs

Response

Really like him, John. Good stuff, good results, not much to complain about here. B+ prospect for me.

by mrkupe on Dec 16, 2025 7:19 PM EST 0 recs

B+

Probably at the middle to the bottom of the B+ heap of pitchers, but that's where he belongs.

Roto Think Tank

by M Gianella on Dec 16, 2025 7:20 PM EST 0 recs

John

I posted this in the other thread, but I would like to know what your comment on Horne was last year, I know his grade was either a C or below last year because he wasn't on your top 23 prospects for the Yankees, nor was he mentioned by any poster in the thread.

He's got one great year in AA to his credit.. Hell, Ronny Cedeno did that, was he ever a B+ prospect? I'd hope not.. and Cedeno was only 22 at the time... I just really think people are getting way too excited here. Clippard was last years SNT, this years SNT is Horne.

by cubsfan2883 on Dec 16, 2025 7:35 PM EST 0 recs

No, no, no...

Don't compare between Clippard and Horne... two different pitchers. Clippard relied on his control to cover his 87~90mph fastball, and during 2007, his control fell down and he became inconsistent.

Horne has much better case as of now

by shakezula on Dec 16, 2025 7:37 PM EST up 0 recs

I'm not comparing their stuff

I'm comparing the fact that they're both hype prospects with little to no established track record with one year of above average ball granted at AA. Give me Volstad over Horne.

Just my opinion. I'm just your average idiot..

by cubsfan2883 on Dec 16, 2025 7:47 PM EST up 0 recs

Why a reference to pre-TJ velocity?

Horne had his TJ years ago and the velocity he was showing in Trenton wasn't anything new, yet you seem to make it out as though he had a spike in his velocity.

by BomberBrian on Dec 16, 2025 7:37 PM EST 0 recs

mulvey/horne

what ever grade Mulvey got is the grade Horne should get.. they are pretty similar, and put up numbers close to each other.. Both will make an impact for a new york team in 2008.

by Maine Man on Dec 16, 2025 9:10 PM EST 0 recs

Kevin Mulvey, RHP, Grade B (may raise to B+

From the 2008 New York Mets prospect lists.

In the Mulvey/Horne smackdown he did in Sept' he took Mulvey but said he could switch them at any time depending on which side of the bed he woke up on , (I'm paraphrasing obviously.)

That said Mulvey is 22, Horne is 24.

So Mulvey is more advanced his numbers are more projectable and if they're comparable don't you have to give the edge to Mulvey..

Here's the link to the smackdown if you wish it.

https://www.minorleagueball.com/story/2007/9/23/161122/329

by cubsfan2883 on Dec 16, 2025 9:31 PM EST up 0 recs

they're not similar at all

stuff-wise.

Todd Frazier for President

by FrazierFan on Dec 16, 2025 10:19 PM EST up 0 recs

too low

Grade B is too low. Grade B+ is right.

by penny2002 on Dec 16, 2025 9:16 PM EST 0 recs

Hit Rate

Looking at Horne's whip (1.34), and specifically his hits/9 (8.75), it's important to remember that he is a ground-ball pitcher with an infield defense in Trenton that was criminally bad. The left side of the infield, in the games I saw, was unbearable to watch. I think this is the consensus view, but I could be wrong.

It's probably not enough to change his ranking, but I do think it's worth keeping in mind--and helps explain his high BABIP.

by Yossarian on Dec 16, 2025 9:51 PM EST 0 recs

Useful

that's some useful info.

by siddfynch on Dec 16, 2025 9:59 PM EST up 0 recs

Criteria?

Longtime reader of Sickels (going back to the ESPN.com days) but I'm still getting my footing here.

Where can I find a listing of his criteria for grading?

There are no prospects on other teams, only players that Jack Zduriencik didn't want.

by Einsteinhood on Dec 16, 2025 9:59 PM EST 0 recs

I get

how this one could be tough. For me he will be either one of the better pitchers to recieve a B or one of the worst pitchers to get a B+. His grade probably depends on how good you think his curve can become and how is change is progressing. I don't trust blog writers (especially yankee ones) enough to trust the info that is available to me. I will be conservative and say he is a B.

by kaisertown on Dec 16, 2025 10:55 PM EST 0 recs