Caleb

Durbin

Durbin was a 14th round pick in 2021 by Atlanta who came over to the Yankees in a deal for Lucas Luetge. He was solid in the minors in 2024, but really impressed in the Arizona fall League with a record 29 steals in 24 games. Durbin has strong bat-to-ball skills, and while he doesn’t offer much power, his strong approach at the plate and ability to play multiple positions should allow him to carve out an MLB career.

In the deal, the Yankees will send Nestor Cortes to the Brewers as well as prospect and Arizona Fall League standout Caleb Durbin. Will Sammon notes that the Yankees will send some of Cortes’ salary as part of the deal. Williams missed the first half of 2024 because of a back ailment, but he’s been one of the most dominant relievers in baseball when healthy. He’ll be the stopper for the Yankees, and has a chance to pile up the saves on the defending American League champions.

It doesn’t sound like free agent Gleyber Torres is returning to New York at the moment, which paves the way for Durbin to play a significant role next year. The 24-year-old speedster, who posted 10 homers and 31 steals last season across three minor-league levels, was added to the Yankees’ 40-man roster last month after breaking the Arizona Fall League’s single-season stolen base record. He’s one of the notable prospects fantasy managers should be monitoring closely in spring training, even if the overall fantasy value of stolen bases has declined in recent years.

No surprise here after Durbin recently broke the Arizona Fall League’s single-season steals mark following an impressive campaign last year that included 10 homers and 31 steals across three minor-league levels. Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters earlier this month that he expects Durbin to “play a big role” next season, so it’s not out of the question that he’ll carve out a versatile multi-position role with New York in spring training. He’s a prospect fantasy managers should be watching closely in Grapefruit League action.

Durbin set the AFL’s single-season stolen base record earlier this week and is now up to a remarkable 29 thefts. The stolen base landscape has changed pretty remarkably over the last few years, which limits Durbin’s overall fantasy upside slightly. However, his speed and defensive versatility is going to make him an impact contributor, especially in deeper mixed leagues. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said earlier this week that he expects Durbin to play “a big role” next season, so it’s plausible to envision him taking over as New York’s everyday option at the keystone, especially if they don’t re-sign Gleyber Torres.

With Gleyber Torres hitting the free agent market, the Yankees could be looking to bring in a new second baseman in 2025. However, Caleb Durbin is making his case after hitting .275/.388/.451 across three levels in 2024, with 10 home runs and 31 steals in 90 games. He’s also currently on pace to tie or break the Arizona Fall League stolen base record. Even if Durbin isn’t named the starting second baseman, the 24-year-old has played three infield spots and two outfield positions this fall, so he could get into a lineup regularly thanks to his defensive versatility.

Durbin is now 22-for-23 stealing bases in 18 games for the Rafters. He’s also struck out just four times while hitting .265/.393/.456 in 84 plate appearances. The Yankees now will almost surely have to add him to the 40-man later this month if they don’t want him getting picked in the Rule 5 draft.

The Rafters went 10-for-10 stealing bases against Cardinals catching prospect Leonardo Bernal, who had actually been 2-for-3 throwing out basestealers in five previous appearances for Glendale. Durbin is hitting .283/.411/.500 in Arizona after coming in at .275/.388/.451 in a 2024 season spent mostly in Triple-A. He’s probably not the future at second base for the Yankees, but he could turn up as a stopgap at some point.

Downs, 25, actually had a shot at earning a reserve role on the team’s Opening Day roster with a strong showing in Grapefruit League action. He was off to a slow start though, hitting just .231 (3-for-13) with a pair of doubles and three RBI. He’ll continue to function as extra depth at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to open the season.

Durbin is now hitting .324/.477/.588 in 10 AFL games with one home run, six RBI, and six steals. The 5'6" second baseman had a strong season across two levels, hitting .304/.395/.427 with four home runs, 25 RBI, and 36 steals in 69 games. He also walked 26 times compared to just 18 strikeouts. Durbin makes a ton of contact and has plus wheels, which makes him a potentially viable fantasy option if he can force his way into the Yankees middle infield in the future. Not bad for a player the Yankees got from the Braves for LHP Lucas Luetge.