Yankees to claim 23-year-old power-hitter off waivers from Rockies originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New York Yankees have been reshaping their outfield depth this offseason, moving on from various depth pieces in the process.

Advertisement

Most recently, they released Michael Siani, who was then claimed by the Los Angeles Dodgers after previously being cut by them this offseason. That move made it clear that the Yankees need some extra outfield depth.

And according to Francys Romero of Beisbolfr.com, the Yankees are doing just that with a waiver claim of their own. Reportedly, the Yankees are claiming power-hitting outfielder Yanquiel Fernandez from the Colorado Rockies this offseason.

Yankees to claim Yanquiel Fernandez from Rockies

“Sources: OF Yanquiel Fernandez was claimed off waivers by the New York Yankees from the Colorado Rockies,” Romero reports.

Advertisement

Fernandez is a 23-year-old power-hitting outfielder who made the Major Leagues for the first time in 2025. In 52 games, he posted -0.8 bWAR with a .225 batting average and a .613 OPS.

He was a decent fielder, but his offensive production was not nearly good enough for the Rockies. He was cut this offseason, and the Yankees are now reportedly picking him up off waivers.

More: Yankees reveal plans for power prospect Spencer Jones

In Triple-A last year, Fernandez had a .284 average and an .849 OPS  with 13 home runs in 64 games. He has a career .279 batting average and .814 OPS in the minor leagues since 2021, to go with 77 home runs and 113 doubles in his 469 games played.

Advertisement

The lefty power-hitter is coming off a rough stint in the Majors with the Rockies. He’s someone who was once a top prospect of the Rockies, and while he didn’t have a great 2025, he’s worth taking a flier on from the Yankees’ perspective.

This is an interesting addition for the Yankees, and if he sticks on the roster through Spring Training, he could prove to be a valuable bench bat in the Majors for the Yankees.

More MLB news: