The Yankees announced Wednesday that they’ve claimed infielder Braden Shewmake off waivers from the Royals. He’ll bring their 40-man roster to capacity, meaning New York will now need to make a roster move once lefty Tim Hill’s deal is finalized. Kansas City designated Shewmake for assignment last week. They’d claimed him off waivers from the White Sox earlier in the season.
The 27-year-old Shewmake spent the 2024 season with the White Sox after being acquired in the trade that sent left-hander Aaron Bummer from Chicago to Atlanta. The former first-round pick has appeared in parts of two big league seasons but has posted a bleak .118/.127/.191 batting line in 71 plate appearances between the Braves and Sox. He hasn’t offered much more offense in the upper minors, where he’s a .240/.299/.395 hitter in 866 Triple-A plate appearances.
Shewmake clearly doesn’t hit much, but he’s regarded as a surehanded infielder with strong defensive tools at multiple positions. He’s spent the bulk of his career at shortstop but has experience at second base and third base as well. Statcast credits him with better-than-average sprint speed and arm strength, though he’s not plus in either regard.
The addition of Shewmake is a depth play for the Yankees and surely not intended to address the hole in their lineup at either second base or third base (depending on where Jazz Chisholm Jr. plays). Shewmake has a minor league option remaining and could provide depth at multiple spots around the diamond if he sticks on the 40-man roster into the season. However, with a move needed to open space for the aforementioned Hill, Shewmake could find himself designated for assignment once again, with the Yankees hoping to pass him through waivers and keep his glove in Triple-A as a non-roster depth piece.
Proof positive that prospects are just that.
First round pick, 21st overall by the Braves.
Wow very enlightening.
a draft blunder by the braves. light hitting glove first type of guy just reeked bench/role type of player from the get go.
Draft blunder? Shewmake was never projected to be a star and they knew that. A super utility role was his ceiling when he was drafted. The Braves always take guys higher than they normally should be taken in the 1st rd so they can underslot them. They do this almost every year. If you can find me a scouting report on Shewmake that shows otherwise I’d love to see it.
Nothing you said contradicts him being a blunder. Braves fans were scratching our heads the minute the pick was announced. What a waste of a 1st round pick.
“New York will now need to make a roster move once lefty Tim Hill’s deal is finalized”
Something tells me that’s as long as Braden Shewmake will be a Yankee…
Hey, could drag it out until camp opens next week and they can 60-day Jonathan Loaisiga! Or find a Stroman trade partner!
But… yes. Probably. Haha.
This could be a turning point in the season…
Please don’t tell me he’s the new starting third basemen.
Exactly, 3rdbase is locked n loaded.
Why? Crazy to open a roster spot for this guy!
They had a roster spot open. When they need one for Hill, they can just DFA Shewmake again, try to pass him through waivers, and hope to stash a multi-position infielder with a strong glove and decent speed in Triple-A.
Third base problem solved.
Thanks Steve for the explanation. I jumped to conclusions as I am a Yankees fan and am waiting for them to add that last piece and bong it’s a decent one if there is one coming at all!
He’s going to be the Ryan Weber of the ’25 Yankees. At least that’s what they want.
He’s got no breathing room for any opportunity here
Yanks are just going to bet on DJL being serviceable.
Shew make for solid depth at AAA if they can get him there.
Knowing the yanks they’ll start em in left (ex. Kiner-Falefa.)
Glad to see the Yankees do this. Shewmake is a perfect fit. Signed, a Red Sox fan.