Yankees Summon Hanner: Next Bullpen Steal?
Yankees Call Up Bradley Hanner: The Underdog Reliever Getting His Big League Chance
The Big Picture: Yankees Find Gold in Their Farm System
The New York Yankees have been on a surprising hot streak with relievers called up from their Triple-A team in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Think of it like a bakery suddenly discovering their day-old muffins are actually the best sellers.
Key Takeaway
The Yankees didn’t buy new relievers at the trade deadline. Instead, they’re betting on homegrown talent like Bradley Hanner to fill the gaps—and so far, it’s working.
Recent Triple-A Success Stories
| Pitcher | Appearances | ERA (Earned Run Average) |
|---|---|---|
| Yerry De los Santos | 6 | 1.00 |
| Kervin Castro | 5 | 1.42 |
| Angel Chivilli | Multiple | 0.57 (before a rough outing) |
ERA Explained Simply: This measures how many runs a pitcher gives up per 9 innings. Lower is better—like a golf score.
Meet Bradley Hanner: The 27-Year-Old Rookie
Who Is He?
- Age: 27 (older than most rookies)
- Drafted: 2019, 21st round by the Minnesota Twins
- Journey: Twins → Guardians → Yankees (signed minor league deal in winter)
- MLB Debut: Has not happened yet — this call-up is his first chance
What Makes Him Different?
In today’s baseball, everyone obsesses over velocity (how fast you throw). Hanner? He throws his fastball around 93.7 mph — decent, but not "blow it by you" speed.
Instead, he relies on:
- Arm angles (changing where the ball comes from)
- Four different pitches: Four-seamer, sinker, cutter, sweeper
- Command (throwing strikes consistently)
Coach’s Corner
"Just because a guy doesn’t light up the radar gun doesn’t mean he doesn’t have good stuff. There’s a lot of things that make you good or nasty or whatever, not just power." — Aaron Boone, Yankees Manager
The Gamble: Why the Yankees Are Taking a Risk
What Happened at the Trade Deadline?
- Did NOT add a proven reliever
- Traded AWAY Camilo Doval (a good reliever)
- Bet on: Starters Carlos Rodón and Clarke Schmidt getting healthy
- Bet on: Current starters moving to the bullpen
- Bet on: Guys like Hanner stepping up
Why This Is Risky
- Banking on health is like planning a picnic assuming it won’t rain
- If starters don’t get healthy, the bullpen gets overworked
- Unproven pitchers can struggle against big league hitters
Hanner’s Resume: The Numbers Don’t Lie
Triple-A Performance (2026 Season)
- 40 appearances (lots of experience)
- 2.10 ERA (excellent)
- 29% Strikeout Rate (gets batters out often)
- 11.4% Walk Rate (doesn’t give away free bases)
- Right-handed hitters: .167 batting average against him (that’s really, really good)
The "Opt-Out" Moment
On July 15, Hanner had a contract clause letting him leave if not promoted. The Yankees chose to keep him — adding him to the 40-man roster. That was their way of saying: "We believe in you."
How He Pitches: Smart, Not Just Hard
Hanner’s Philosophy
"Velo is king now, but throwing strikes is also king." — Bradley Hanner
His Approach
- Attack the strike zone early
- Get ahead in counts (more strikes than balls)
- Use deception (arm angles, pitch mix)
- Target right-handed hitters (his specialty)
What the Yankees Want Him To Do
- Face right-handed batters in key situations
- Throw strikes and let his defense work
- Give the team 1-2 solid innings when needed
The Human Side: Enjoying the Moment
Advice From a Teammate
[Fernando] Cruz told me, ‘You only debut once. Take everything in. Enjoy it. … The rest will take care of itself. I’m not looking down the road. Like, I’m looking to help this team win and whatever happens, happens.’ — Bradley Hanner
Current Situation
- When: Second week of August
- Games left: ~40 in regular season
- Role: One of the final bullpen spots
- Pressure: Temporary — Castro returns from injury soon
Summary: What You Need to Know
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Who | Bradley Hanner, 27, never played in MLB |
| Why now | Kervin Castro injured; Yankees need bullpen help |
| Style | Crafty lefty-type pitcher (but right-handed) — deception over power |
| Track record | Dominant in Triple-A, especially vs. righties |
| Big picture | Yankees gambled at deadline; Hanner is part of that bet |
| Mindset | Focused on today, not job security |
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Why didn’t the Yankees just trade for a proven reliever?
They likely couldn’t find a deal they liked, or didn’t want to give up prospects. They’re betting on internal options — cheaper and sometimes just as effective.
What does "21st round" mean? Was he a bad pick?
Not at all! The draft has 20 rounds now (used to be more). A 21st-round pick in 2019 means he was a late find — a "diamond in the rough." Many stars were late picks.
What’s a "sweeper" pitch?
It’s a slider that moves sideways more than down. Think of a frisbee curving left (from a righty). Great for fooling right-handed batters.
What happens when Castro comes back?
Hanner might get sent back down. But he’ll have his debut, MLB experience, and a chance to prove he belongs long-term.
Can a 27-year-old rookie really help a playoff team?
Absolutely! Many relievers break in late. If he throws strikes and gets outs, age doesn’t matter. The Yankees only care about results.
Final Thought
Bradley Hanner’s story is baseball at its purest: a guy who kept grinding, didn’t throw 100 mph, but mastered his craft — and finally got the call. Whether he stays a week or a year, he’s already won by hearing his name announced at Yankee Stadium.
Root for the underdog. He’s earned it.