SARASOTA, Fla. -- The final pitch of Elmer Rodríguez’s spring debut turned into a highlight for Kenedy Corona, who raced from his position in center field to rob the Orioles’ Pete Alonso with a splendid catch near the warning track.
The rest of the outing belonged to Rodríguez, who is ranked for 2026 as baseball’s No. 82 prospect by MLB Pipeline. The 22-year-old scattered three hits over three scoreless innings in the Yankees’ Grapefruit League opener at Ed Smith Stadium, striking out one without issuing a walk.
“It felt good,” Rodríguez said. “That first inning, my adrenaline was high in the moment, but I was able to use it and channel it, and use it to my advantage.”
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Rodríguez showed “a little bit of everything,” adding that he believes the hurler has “a chance to be a starting pitcher in this league for a long time.”
“His ball does a lot of different things,” Boone said. “He’s very much under control and running up against a very real lineup there. The poise we continue to see, that first time in a big league Spring Training -- he handled it well.”
Catcher Austin Wells sees good things ahead for Rodríguez, who was acquired from the Red Sox in December 2024 for catcher Carlos Narváez.
“I thought he was great,” Wells said. “He mixed it really well, hit the spots when he needed to, and got some big ground balls. He’s got a lot of really good pitches. He’s got the talent. He’s just got to go do it.”
In a 42-pitch effort, Rodríguez flashed a deep five-pitch arsenal and some of the qualities that have the Yankees so excited about his potential.
He zipped a 94.9 mph sinker past Samuel Basallo to end a 12-pitch first inning, then induced Heston Kjerstad to roll a timely broken-bat grounder for a double play that ended the second. The third inning featured Corona’s run-saving grab in left-center.
“I’m just trying to learn as much as I can from all the veterans here, just seeing what they’re doing,” Rodríguez said. “I’m trying to add it to my game, go out there and have fun, just execute the best I can.
“Their presence on the mound, how calm they are, they take it one pitch at a time. I’m just trying to do the same. I feel like I did the same today.”
As Rodríguez gains experience in his first big league camp, he is also preparing to represent Puerto Rico in the upcoming World Baseball Classic and set to depart March 1. Rodríguez said it was not a difficult call to participate.
“I’m trying to use everything to my advantage,” he said. “I can learn from guys here and learn from guys there. To have the experience of playing there against good competition, I’m trying to get the most experience I can. I’m really looking forward to it.”
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Rodríguez pitched at three levels of the Yanks’ system last year, posting a combined 11-8 record with a 2.58 ERA in 27 games (26 starts) for High-A Hudson Valley, Double-A Somerset and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
He entered last year with a goal of surpassing 100 innings and wound up tossing 150. Rodríguez struck out 176 against 57 walks, with 104 hits allowed.
“It was a good year. I’m happy with the results I had,” Rodríguez said. “Getting past [100 innings] and finishing the year strong, ending it healthy, that’s something I’m trying to learn from and continue to take it from year to year.”
Boone has been bullish on the Yankees’ pitching depth; with Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón due back in the first half, the organization may have to move some of their current starters into relief roles.
It’s also possible that young hurlers like Rodríguez -- as well as No. 79 overall prospect Carlos Lagrange, who will start Saturday’s Grapefruit League home opener -- will force their way into important roles by season’s end.
“I really think he’s got a bright future,” Boone said of Rodríguez.