Caleb Durbin’s Speed, Versatility Gives Yankees Another Option For Second Base In 2025

Image credit: Caleb Durbin (Photo by Bill Mitchell)

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., — The Yankees are a team that rarely hands an everyday position to a prospect. Outfielder Jasson Dominguez, one of the team’s top prospects in years, is not guaranteed a regular job for next season.

So, while infielder Caleb Durbin can’t necessarily win the Yankees’ second base job with his work in the Arizona Fall League, he did a good job of keeping himself in the conversation as a back-up plan.

The Yankees have several options for second in 2025.

They could bring back Gleyber Torres, who became a free agent. They could add another second baseman in free agency or via a trade. They could choose to move Jazz Chisholm to second or turn to Oswaldo Cabrera.

But at the annual GM meetings in San Antonio, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman also mentioned Durbin as a candidate to fill the role, which is a testament to the 24-year-old infielder’s excellent work this year. Durbin, who was named to the Fall Stars roster and led the AFL with 21 stolen bases last year, broke the league’s single-season steals record this season. The Yankees then added him to their 40-man roster at the deadline to protect players from the Rule 5 Draft.

Durbin still rates as a significant underdog to fill the Yankees’ second base role, but the fact that he’s part of the conversation is an accomplishment for a D-III product from Washington University (Mo.) in St. Louis. A 14th-round pick of the Braves in 2021, Durbin was traded to the Yankees for lefthander Lucas Luetge in December 2022.

In addition to utilizing his time in Arizona to fine-tune his base path approach, Durbin has also viewed the fall campaign as an opportunity to work on the expansion of his utility resume and build on a move to the outfield with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 2024.

“You get to work on everything here,” Durbin said. “Definitely getting a lot more reps, and working on some things in all areas. It’s been nice to move around the field a lot. Getting game reps in the outfield has been huge for me, just to keep adding that to my repertoire. So, really, just getting more reps at the plate and on defense has been my focus.”

Over 24 games with the Salt River Rafters, Durbin slashed .312/.427/.548 with 11 extra-base hits and 21 RBI. His record-setting 29 stolen bases are a product of balancing natural above-average speed and an aggressive style of baserunning with trust in the coaching staff and a willingness to temper that aggression when the situation calls for it.

Durbin has been labeled “a pest” on the base paths by several of his Fall League teammates.

“That’s the ultimate compliment for me,” Durbin said. “I want to be as big of a pest as I can be, and I always want the pitcher to be thinking about me on the bases. That’s kind of the main goal.”

Durbin’s first season with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre also focused on preparing as a base runner at the major league level. Well aware that the jump to New York may be in reach, Durbin hasn’t allowed the possibility to cloud the need to stay present in the moment.

This includes making the most of the baserunning lessons he’s learning during his time in Arizona.

“I think during the season in Triple-A, it was definitely about treating it like it was the big leagues,” Durbin said. “Meaning, being safe on base and not being as risky. Then out here, it’s more about pushing the limits and seeing what I’m able to do on the base paths, which ideally, will help me transfer that into the regular season.”

Splitting his 2024 season between the Florida State League, Eastern League and International League, Durbin combined for 31 stolen bases over 90 games. While Durbin isn’t known for being a burner on the base path, he’s found success through that aggressive style of running with his natural instincts.

“It’s a combination of both,” Durbin said. “I’m not trying to force it, but I am definitely trying to keep that aggressive approach on the bases. I’m not going to run just to run. My goal is to be smart with it, and pick my spots.”

While he’s at his best when he’s not hesitant in the running game, Durbin also understands the offensive value of just being on base with the looming potential to swipe a bag at any time.

“(The pitcher) knows that I’m a threat to steal bases, which will ideally open up more opportunities for our hitters,” he said. “There are other ways to score just outside of stealing bases.”

Being out in Arizona during the major league postseason, Durbin still found time to track his parent organization to the World Series, including the base path work of organization teammate Anthony Volpe.

“I like seeing the way we do things similar on the bases,” Durbin said of Volpe. “I like watching the Yankee guys in the big leagues, and seeing how they go about things. It’s always going to help me learn.”

In preparation for the 2025 regular season, Durbin plans to make full use of the resources provided through the organization and work to capitalize on the guidance he’s received.

“I think the biggest thing is just staying healthy and keep talking with my coaches,” Durbin said. “I trust them fully, and I think I’m on a really good path with where they’re taking me.

“If I keep listening to them, I’ll be in a good spot.”