Caleb Durbin arrived in the Arizona Fall League intent upon boosting his prospect status, with the infielder aiming to showcase his skills in hopes of securing a place on the Yankees’ 40-man roster.
Mission accomplished. Coming off a Fall League performance in which he was selected as an AFL “Fall Star” and the AFL’s Breakout Prospect of the Year, the 24-year-old Durbin was placed on the Bombers’ 40-man roster on Tuesday. 22-year-old catcher Jesus Rodriguez was also added.
General manager Brian Cashman and Yankees manager Aaron Boone have both spoken highly of Durbin this offseason, viewing him as a strong internal candidate to crack the 2025 infield.
“I think he’s a stud, frankly,” Boone said last week. “Great bat-to-ball [skill], elite ability on the bases as a base stealer, a good defender in the middle of the diamond at second base. He’s really started over the last year-plus to create some position flexibility, too. … Really competitive, kind of that hard-nosed, tough player. I’m excited for him. I think he’s going to play a big role for us this upcoming season.”
In the Fall League, Durbin batted .312/.427/.548 with five homers in 24 games. Durbin’s 29 stolen bases shattered the previous record of 24, set by Rick Holifield in 1994, when the AFL’s schedule was almost twice as long as it currently is.
“He’s definitely put himself in a position to earn some serious big league consideration,” Boone said. “What role that is remains to be seen.”
He batted .275/.388/.451 with 61 runs, 25 doubles, 10 homers, 60 RBIs, 53 walks and 31 stolen bases in 90 combined games for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Double-A Somerset and Single-A Tampa this past season, ranking fifth among Yankees Minor Leaguers in steals, eighth in on-base percentage, and 10th in batting average and RBIs.
Durbin told MLB.com’s Jesse Borek earlier this month that he was “100 percent” trying to impress big league brass in the AFL.
“I mean, that’s why you play the game, is to help a big league team at the highest level,” Durbin said. “That’s been on my mind since I’ve gotten to pro ball. Now that it’s kind of around the corner, it’s definitely a little more fun to think about because it’s right there. But I definitely want to try to put on a show out here and showcase what I can do.”
Originally drafted by the Braves in the 14th round of the 2021 MLB Draft, Durbin was acquired along with right-hander Indigo Díaz in December 2022 in exchange for left-hander Lucas Luetge.
Rodríguez, 22, combined with High-A Hudson Valley and Double-A Somerset to hit .302/.375/.481 with 48 runs, 15 doubles, 10 homers and 47 RBIs this past season. Additionally, the Yankees received right-hander Carson Coleman as a Rule 5 Draft return from the Rangers.
