Yankees 2026 MLB Plans: Promises Revealed

Future perspectives

Mac Heuer, right-handed pitcher

BA/Risk Rating: 45/Average
Adjusted rating: 35

Path: Heuer was homeschooled but worked his way up the show circuit and was drafted by Cleveland in the 16th round in 2023. When not on the mound, Heuer found time to raise a sheep named Oakley, which won the grand championship at the 2022 Georgia Junior National Livestock Show. Heuer spent the next two seasons at Texas Tech before the Yankees selected him in the eighth round. He signed for $400,000, almost double the recommended value. He didn’t pitch after signing.

Scouting report: In college, Heuer worked with a full four-pitch repertoire, led by a fastball that reached a top velocity of 97 mph and backed by a changeup and slider in the mid-80s and a curveball in the late 70s. Heuer’s fastball worked well when placed in the high zone, where it has the kind of life and velocity needed to fly over bats. His slider alternated between a strong, wide break and a downward action, and has a chance of becoming a mid-range pitch. Heuer’s changeup has fade and depth away from lefties and could also be an average pitch. His curve has a downward break, but he needs more power behind him before he can be much more than an asset against lefties or a strikeout pitcher. Heuer is big and physical and uses a shot with a short, compact action and a crossover shot.

The future: Heuer’s first stop as a professional could be in High-A Hudson Valley. He has already improved his physique a bit since joining the Yankees and has the makings of a powerful starting pitcher.

Scouting qualifications: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 40 | Slider: 50 | Speed change: 50 | Control: 50

Jack Cebert, right-handed pitcher

BA/Risk Rating: 45/Average
Adjusted rating: 35

Path: After three seasons at South Florida, Cebert transferred to Texas Tech to play his final season. He pitched out of the bullpen for the Red Raiders, whose pitching staff also included Mac Heuer, also selected by the Yankees in the 2025 draft. The Yankees selected Cebert in the 15th round and sent him to High-A Hudson Valley to make his professional debut, where he appeared in five games in relief.

Scouting report: Cebert was a starter at South Florida in his second and third years, and the Yankees could return him to that role in 2026. They have been encouraged by the speed he has shown in the early stages of his career. Cebert added a cutter to a combination that also includes a four-seam fastball, a sinker, a sweeper and a changeup. He also threw a curveball in college, but it’s unlikely to be part of his repertoire in the future. His fastball repertoire allows him to face both left-handed and right-handed hitters, and his sweeper has a hard, late break designed to draw many weak swings. The changeup shows a medium fade and depth away from lefties. Cebert’s pitch is quick, with a glove snap that seems a little more pronounced on fastballs. His arm is compact in the back and long in the front, with over 6.6 feet of arm extension in professional baseball. He threw a lot of strikes both in college and in his brief professional stint.

The future: If nothing changes, Cebert could quickly advance through the system in a reliever role. The road could be longer as a starter, but the gamble could be worth it. He should reach Double A in 2026.

Scouting Qualifications: Fastball : 60 | Slider: 60 | Speed change: 45 | Cutter: 55 | Control: 55