We long for box scores that tell us what the hell happened and, maybe, what the hell is coming...
What we see is the form-fitting black box known as Will Warren.
Yesterday, he pitched into the third, gave up a run, fanned four. By most respects, a typical Will Warren impersonation of Will Warren, reading from the book of Will Warren - (abridged, of course) - with an introduction by Will Warren.
Not bad. Not great. Vintage Will Warren.
Here's what happened...
First Inning: Strikeout. Triple. Single (run scores.) Line out. Strikeout.
Second inning: Single. Infield hit. Fly out. Strikeout. Fly out.
Third Inning: Fly out. Strikeout.
And Boone brings the hook.
Overall, a descent Will Warren outing. In fact, if you're following Will Warren, you gotta at least give the guy the second meaningless batter of the first meaningless inning of the first meaningless exhibition game of 2026.
If Will Warren can be the Yankees' fifth starter, devouring the innings that a fifth starter needs to consume, he could reduce the pressure on Luis Gil and Cam Schlittler, who is already missing time. He won't become an ace. He won't become a liability.
And that, comrades, is what Will Warren does.
Last year, he threw 162 innings, went 9-8 with an ERA of 4.44. Meh, you say.
He's 26, which is young for anybody from Branson, Missouri.
Among starters, Warren is an old-school outlier. He pitched four years in college. (Most hot prospects jump after their junior years, when they have more contractual leverage.) Then he pitched three seasons in the Yankee minor leagues, level by level, slog by slog, slowly making his way to NYC.
If he can improve in 2026 - that is, if Will Warren can be Will Warren - the Yankee rotation can survive until Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rondon and that 6'7" rookie who throws 103 mph can come around.
We talk about the rookies and the role players. Will Warren is entering his arbitration year. He needs to be Will Warren.
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3 comments:
I watched the first two innings of yesterday’s game. Here’s my takeaway:
The IBS (sorry) The ABS Challenge System is quite silly and I’m not quite sure that I like its design and implementation.
Ugh.
I haven't watched much or paid much attention when I have watched. Technically, I suppose that means I wasn't actually watching, since watching is key to that.
But, I digress. I haven't noticed or seen the ABS system in action, but I'll take AA's word for it. As long as the Air Bags deploy properly, it could be a good thing.
By the way, Will Warren is the backwards name of a great actor from the Pre-Code days (and beyond)--Warren William. Played a terrific cad and also took on the role of Perry Mason for a while. I don't think he could pitch, though.
Neither could Raymond Burr
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