Tyler Yates

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked New York Mets #28 prospect in 2005
  Yates started 2004 as the Mets' fifth starter, shutting out the Expos for six innings in his first outing. He was shelled in subsequent starts and eventually sent to Triple-A to see if he could get settled as a reliever. The time in Norfolk paid off, as he worked on using his two-seam fastball, which has nice movement and sink. When he returned to New York for a September callup, he went nine straight outings without allowing a run. The positive end to the season was dashed in February, however, when Yates had arthroscopic shoulder surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff. Yates' stuff had been good enough to get major leaguers out, as he threw a 92-95 mph fastball, an average slider and changeup. Like many hard throwers, he learned that command and the ability to speed or slow down hitters' bats is as important as raw velocity. Yates showed signs that he was beginning to take those lessons in September and was a strong candidate for the big league bullpen, but because of the shoulder surgery he is now expected to miss the entire 2005 season.
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  Ranked New York Mets #12 prospect in 2004
  Yates was dominating Triple-A in 2002 before he blew out his elbow. After having Tommy John surgery, he returned to the mound last April. To get him consistent innings, the Mets made the former closer a starter. If he hadn't broken the pinky on his pitching hand when he slammed a wall in frustration after his last minor league start, he would have made his major league debut in September. Yates also missed the Arizona Fall league when he developed shoulder stiffness that shut him down for the winter. His fastball touched 100 mph before he got hurt and has dipped since, but he still has plenty of velocity and could regain more. His four-seam fastball sits at 94 mph, while his two-seamer arrives in the low 90s with good movement. Forced to use his secondary pitches more as a starter, he developed a solid changeup to go with his hard, 88-89 mph slider. If Yates is going to start in the majors, he'll need more confidence in his curveball. He'll show a big league curve in side sessions but doesn't trust it enough to throw it in games. His command still needs work, and as the broken finger attests, he needs to control his emotions. While Yates' first year as a starter was an eye-opener, the Mets have a more pressing need for relievers and will give him a chance to win a bullpen job this spring.
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  Ranked New York Mets #27 prospect in 2003
  After being acquired in a trade with Oakland during the offseason, Yates showed the Mets everything they hoped during the first half of 2002. He was untouchable while sharing closer duties in Triple-A, until he blew out his elbow and needed Tommy John surgery. A starter in college at Hawaii-Hilo, Yates refined his mechanics and emerged as a power reliever as a pro. He complements a mid-90s fastball with a mid-80s slider. When he begins pitching again in mid-2003, Yates will have to refine his command in addition to regaining his strength. If he hadn't gotten hurt, he would have fit nicely in the New York bullpen this year.
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  Ranked New York Mets #8 prospect in 2002
  After three years of working on his mechanics and pitching style, Yates emerged as a candidate for a bullpen job in Oakland. Then the Athletics sent him to the Mets in December as part of the David Justice trade, and he now appears ticketed for a year in Triple-A. A native Hawaiian who pitched for Hawaii-Hilo, Yates was a starter with a mid-80s fastball when he signed. Thanks to development and improved mechanics, he has increased his fastball to the mid-90s. He complements his heater with a plus slider in the mid-80s, giving him a two-pitch repertoire sufficient for relief work. Yates spent his first two full seasons as a middle reliever, then became a closer last season at Double-A Midland and proved highly impressive. He still needs to improve his command, both in terms of throwing strikes and locating his pitches within the strike zone. He has been more hittable than a pitcher with his stuff should be.