Jimmy Yacabonis

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #23 prospect in 2018
  After lowering his walk rate in 2016 and enjoying his best full season to date, Yacabonis went to the Arizona Fall League and solidified himself on the Orioles' major league radar. Though he didn't get invited to major league spring training in 2017, he impressed in six big league spring games and ultimately made his major league debut in May. Overall, while Yacabonis had success at Triple-A Norfolk with a 1.32 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP in 61.1 innings, he struggled with his control both there and in the majors. He walked 14 in 20.2 major league innings with just eight strikeouts, and had a 4.35 ERA. With a max-effort delivery from the right side, Yacabonis' 94-96 mph fastball is a plus pitch with sink that tops out at 98 mph, and he features an average, 83-85 mph slider that he can struggle to command at times. If Yacabonis can harnesses that control, he can ascend to a seventh-inning relief role. As it stands how, he'll likely split time in 2018 between Norfolk and Baltimore.
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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #22 prospect in 2017
  Yacabonis made big strides with his control and command in 2016, which allowed the righthanded reliever to record a 2.03 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and strikeout rate of 9.3 per nine innings in 34 appearances at Double-A Bowie. After walking 90 in 146 innings his first three pro seasons, he shaved that rate to 2.8 per nine innings in 2016, and his opponent average dropped from .296 to .216. Yacabonis flashed plenty of talent during his career by making all-star teams in the New York-Penn (2013) and South Atlantic Leagues (2014) before leading Carolina League relievers with 9.5 strikeouts per nine in 2015. Improvements to his delivery helped Yacabonis sharpen his control. A calmer delivery led to a quieter front leg, and he more consistently got on top of the ball, allowing his arm to be on time more. His fastball sits at 93-95 mph and touches 97, and at times shows sink and cutter action. He throws a heavy dose of fastballs and has a better feel for his slider over his changeup. A fastball-power slider combo would suit him as a middle reliever in the majors. He should start at Triple-A Norfolk in 2017.