TAMPA, Fla. — The New York Yankees value diversity in their bullpen, and left-hander Ryan Yarbrough brings an uncommon approach that stands out in today’s game. Amid a pitching landscape dominated by high-velocity arms, Yarbrough finds success relying on 88-mph fastballs coupled with secondary offerings in the 78-to-83 mph range, including cutters, sinkers, and sweepers.
From Rising Star to Reliable Contributor
Yarbrough began his career impressively with the Tampa Bay Rays, notably winning 16 games as a rookie in 2018, primarily serving as a follow-up to the opener. The Yankees saw value in adding him last season just before Opening Day, signing him for $2 million. Serving in long relief and occasionally as a fifth starter, he posted a 3-1 record with a 4.36 ERA across 19 appearances, including eight starts.
In November, the Yankees extended Yarbrough’s contract for another year at $2.5 million, with an additional $250,000 linked to innings pitched, positioning him as a middle reliever and rotation depth for the team.
Insights into Yarbrough’s Personality and Preferences
As featured in NJ.com’s daily spring training favorites series, Yarbrough shared personal interests and influences that shaped his career and character. He cites former pitcher Mark Buehrle as a childhood sports hero, admiring his command and efficiency on the mound, valuing qualities that align with his own style.
“He never threw hard. He also really commanded the ball, he worked fast … and he was perfect one day!”
His favorite movies include the John Wick series starring Keanu Reeves, the sci-fi film Interstellar, and the comedy Anchorman. Yarbrough enjoys actors Adam Sandler and Will Ferrell, with Jennifer Aniston as his favorite actress. Musically, he listens to Kid Cudi and Kings of Leon.
Reflecting on his youth, Yarbrough fondly recalls playing little league baseball with teammates and his father, who coached many of his teams. Elephants are his favorite animals at the zoo, and he remains a devoted fan of his hometown Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Values and Hobbies Outside Baseball
Baseball remains Yarbrough’s passion, as he admits not excelling in other sports. He favors Seattle for road games and considers T-Mobile Park his favorite stadium. When asked about rule changes, he expressed a desire for a challenge system similar to football’s, allowing pitchers to continue play while challenges occur.
His holiday preference is Christmas, and he enjoys classic childhood comforts such as Scooby-Doo, G.I. Joe toys, and family vacations to Key West. Dream travel destinations include Japan. Academically, history was his preferred subject, and he appreciates video games like MLB: The Show and Halo.
Yarbrough’s favorite foods include steak and potatoes, with Chick-fil-A as his favored fast-food spot. He enjoys Reese’s candy, chips, and popcorn as snacks, drinks Sprite regularly, and chooses vanilla as his top ice cream flavor. Conversely, he avoids sour cream. His favorite streaming platform is Disney Plus, while golf serves as a recreational hobby. For a dream dinner, he would invite Mark Buehrle, Michael Jordan, and Tom Brady.
Yankees’ Series Featuring Team Favorites
This profile is part of a broader NJ.com Yankees favorites series, capturing insights from various team members throughout February, including Aaron Boone, Jazz Chisholm, Tim Hill, Amed Rosario, Clarke Schmidt, Jake Bird, Max Fried, Spencer Jones, and Ryan Yarbrough himself.
Impact on Yankees and Next Steps
Ryan Yarbrough’s distinctive pitching approach adds valuable depth and versatility to the Yankees bullpen, a crucial factor in managing the demanding pace of an MLB season. His ability to generate outs without overpowering velocity provides the team with strategic options, particularly in long relief and spot starting roles. Continuing in his role, Yarbrough’s contributions will be important for balancing the Yankees’ pitching workload and maintaining competitive edge throughout the year.
