Yankees and Rockies Swap Minor Leaguers Prior To Roster Deadline

Image credit: Jefry Valdez (Photo by Bill Mitchell)

In addition to protecting Joe Harvey before Tuesday’s deadline for teams to set their rosters in advance of next month’s Rule 5 Draft, the Yankees made a small deal with Rockies. The teams exchanged minor leaguers who would have been eligible for the Rule 5, but neither found a spot on a 40-man roster.

ROCKIES ACQUIRE

Jordan Foley, RHP
Age: 25

The Yankees drafted Foley twice—once out of his Texas high school and again three years later after he’d completed three seasons at Central Michigan. He worked as a starter for the early portion of his minor league career before shifting to the bullpen starting in 2016. He works with a low-90s fastball and backs it up with a mid-80s slider that resembles a curveball because of its soft break. He throws from a high-slot, max-effort delivery, and he will need to cut his walks to be effective.

YANKEES ACQUIRE

Jefry Valdez, RHP
Age: 23

Valdez signed with the Rockies as a 19-year-old and has spent the entirety of his career at the half-season levels, including a 2018 season spent with short-season Boise. He averaged 10 strikeouts per nine innings in the Northwest League. He accomplished that with a three-pitch arsenal fronted by a fastball that averaged 93 mph but played down due to lack of command and life. He backed it up with an above-average slider and fringe-average changeup. He controls his offspeed offerings better than he does his fastball.