PROSPECT: Chandler Champlain, SP, Kansas City Royals
ANALYSIS: The Yankees drafted Chandler Champlain in the ninth round in 2021 after a mediocre career at Southern Cal. They worked with him to develop the shape of his pitches and then unleashed him in 2022 with a very impressive walk rate.
The Royals acquired Champlain as part of the trade that sent Andrew Benintendi to the Yankees. After spending a year at Single-A in 2022 as he learned the feel of his pitches, Champlain moved to Double-A midway through this year, posting a 2.90 ERA and 92/29 K/BB over 99 1/3 innings.
Champlain works with a mid-90s fastball that can touch 99, along with a 12-6 curve and a sweeping slider. All of his stuff has above-average spin rates.
VERDICT: Champlin has backend stuff once he gets to the majors, and if his change continues to develop, he could be a mid-rotation guy. However, there's no reason to roster him until he's ready to claim a rotation spot in the majors.
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