Yankees’ New 17-Year-Old Lefty Sends 3-Word Message On Surprise Contract

ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 14: The New York logo is displayed on a hat during the MLB game between the New York Yankees and the Atlanta Braves on August 14, 2023 at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The New York Yankees are off to the best start in the American League this season thanks in large part to a dominant starting pitching staff.

Though the Yankees are still expected to perform as one of the sport’s best offenses, the rotation started the season in historic fashion.

“New York’s three runs allowed are tied for the fewest across a team’s first five games of a season with the 1943 St. Louis Cardinals,” Joe Pantorno reported for amNY after the team’s first five games. “That includes three shutouts already, tying for the most through five games with the 2002 Yankees, the 2015 Athletics, and the 2013 and 2016 Dodgers.”

In the absence of Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon, Max Fried is leading the way, but the Yankees can also point to several impactful arms in the rotation. The team has developed Will Warren and Cam Schlitter, with prospect Carlos Lagrange turning heads in Spring Training as well.

MORE FROM FORBESMets Make Tommy Pham Roster Move After Juan Soto InjuryBy Peter Chawaga

New York Yankees Sign 17-Year-Old Mexican League Standout

And on Thursday, news surfaced that the team had signed a teenage prospect courtesy of several Mexican media outlets.

“Sinaloa talent continues to make its way in international baseball, so much so that the young left-handed pitcher Jose Cruz Sanchez took one of the most important steps of his career by signing with the New York Yankees organization, one of the most emblematic franchises in the Major Leagues,” Christian Bernal reported for Punto MX, per a translation. “The next step for the young pitcher will be to travel to the Dominican Republic, where he will begin his preparation to join the Rookie League in June, thus taking the first step on his path to the Major Leagues.”

Sanchez, who is a 17-year-old southpaw, has also signed with the Diablos Rojos del Mexico’s baseball academy. Five-time Yankees Silver Slugger Robinson Cano currently plays for the Mexico League team.

MORE FROM FORBESPhillies’ Bryce Harper Sends 4-Word Giants Manager Message As Criticism MountsBy Peter Chawaga

New York Yankees Scout, New Pitcher Respond To Surprising Contract

“I’m very excited. It was two years of hard work at the academy, working hard and trusting that this moment would come,” Sanchez said in a translation from Bernal. “Today a dream comes true by signing with the Yankees.”

Yankees scout Lee Sigman, who was a manager in the Mexican League, also commented on the signing, according to local media.

“We know it’s not an easy process to get to the major leagues, the competition is tough, but people who know how to survive go far,” Sigman said, according to a translation from El Sol de Mazatlan’s Isaac Chavez.

As the Yankees continue to develop promising arms at the top of their system, Sanchez could be among the next players in the pipeline.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com