The Yankees’ bullpen depth chart looks thin heading into spring training. But an under-the-radar signing just gave them a high-risk, high-reward arm who might solve that problem — if he can find the strike zone.
On January 17, 2026, New York inked right-hander Dylan Coleman to a minor-league deal and shipped him straight to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. And if you’re not familiar with the name, here’s why you should be paying attention.
The Tale of Two Seasons
Coleman’s major-league career reads like a cautionary tale. Back in 2022 with the Kansas City Royals, he looked like a future closer — posting a 2.78 ERA across 68 innings with strikeouts piling up and hitters baffled by his upper-90s gas. Then 2023 happened.
In 2023, his results cratered — he posted an 8.84 ERA (18.1 IP, 18 ER) and his walk rate jumped from roughly 4.9 BB/9 in 2022 to about 9.3 BB/9 in 2023, a near-doubling that explains the control alarm. What was once a weapon became a liability, and suddenly Coleman was bouncing between organizations — traded to Houston, making one brief appearance in 2024, then signing and getting released by Baltimore just months later in May 2025.
Most teams would’ve written him off. The Yankees see something different.
What’s Changed This Winter
Here’s where it gets interesting. Coleman’s been working with Feole Pitching this offseason, and the results are eye-popping. He’s added two new weapons to his arsenal — a cutter and a power sinker — while cranking his velocity back up toward triple digits. We’re talking a fastball that routinely sits 97-99 and can touch 100 mph when he lets it rip.
That kind of heat opens doors in today’s MLB, especially for a Yankees organization that’s always hunting for late-inning power arms. But velocity without control is just fireworks with no target.
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The Million-Dollar Question: Can He Throw Strikes?
That’s the entire ballgame here. Coleman’s struggles weren’t about stuff — they were about command. His walk rates went through the roof during his roughest stretches, and no amount of velocity fixes free passes.
The Yankees’ player development staff now has a fascinating challenge: Can they help Coleman tighten his mechanics, refine his release point, and turn those new pitches into reliable weapons? If the answer is yes, this signing looks genius. If not, it’s just another Triple-A depth piece.
Three Ways This Could Play Out
Best case: Coleman shows up to spring training with clean mechanics and 100-mph heat. He dominates early, forces his way onto the Opening Day roster, and becomes the Yankees’ secret weapon in high-leverage spots.
Middle case: He’s solid but inconsistent in Triple-A. The Yankees keep him as organizational depth — a guy they can call up when injuries hit, or they need fresh arms in September.
Worst case: The command issues persist. He spends the year bouncing around the minors before either getting released or becoming a minor-league roster filler.
Why This Move Makes Perfect Sense
For Yankees fans, there’s zero downside here. It’s a minor-league contract, meaning no roster commitment and minimal financial risk. Coleman starts in Triple-A, which gives New York time to evaluate without any pressure.
But the upside? That’s what makes this intriguing. If the Yankees’ development staff can unlock even 75% of his 2022 form with the new pitch mix, they’ve found a late-inning weapon on a bargain-bin budget.
What to Watch
Keep your eyes on Grapefruit League action this spring. If Coleman’s throwing strikes and touching triple digits, the buzz will build fast. And once the Triple-A season starts, his early outings with the RailRiders will tell us everything we need to know.
The Yankees didn’t make headlines with this signing. They didn’t have to. Sometimes the best moves are the ones nobody sees coming — the reclamation projects, the second chances, the guys with 100-mph arms and something to prove.
Dylan Coleman just got his shot. Now we’ll see if he can take it.
Vikas Tiwari, writer and editor focused on Yankees news, rumors, trade updates, and game coverage, emphasizing accuracy, sourcing, and clarity.
