MLB Rookie Profile: Tyler Webb, LHP, New York Yankees

New York Yankees pitching prospect Tyler Webb made his major league debut over the weekend, pitching scoreless innings of relief against the Texas Rangers on both June 24th and June 25th. Here’s a quick take on Webb’s past and future.

Webb was drafted in the 10th round in 2013 from the University of South Carolina. He was a shutdown reliever in college, posting a 1.47 ERA with a 60/14 K/BB and 17 saves in 43 innings in his senior season, and has remained effective in pro ball, notably in 2016 when he fanned 82 in 72 innings in Triple-A with a 3.59 ERA.

He was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates out of the Yankees system in the 2016 Rule 5 draft. Here’s what we wrote about him at the time:

Tyler Webb, LHP: The Yankees drafted Webb in the 10th round in 2013 from the University of South Carolina. He has had nothing but success in the farm system and has two strong Triple-A seasons under his belt, posting a 2.84 ERA in 2015 and a 3.59 ERA in 73 innings in 2016 with an 82/23 K/BB. Webb is a 6-6. 225 pounder, age 26. He held lefties to a .225 average this year and projects as an effective LOOGY, with an 89-92 MPH fastball and a slider that he will use aggressively against left-handed hitters. He changes speeds well enough to hold his own against right-handed hitters as well and has maintained strong whiff rates at all levels.

He didn’t stick with the Pirates and was returned to the Yankees system, but has remained successful in 2017, posting a 3.24 ERA in 33 innings in Triple-A with an outstanding 47/3 K/BB ratio. He was holding left-handed hitters to a .200 average this season for Scranton.

As noted in the Rule 5 report, Webb doesn't have a blazing heater, topping out at 92, but he is very adept at working spots with his slider and change-up and is quite deceptive, especially against left-handed hitters. He’ll make an effective LOOGY and can handle some right-handers on days when his control is particularly sharp.