Most minor-leaguers were still waiting to begin their seasons as of this weekend, but for one longtime New York Yankees farmhand, the wait could take longer than expected.
Just before the start of the season for affiliates Double-A and lower, the Yankees cut ties with a five-year member of their farm system. According to the official transactions log, 26-year-old right-handed pitcher Cole Ayers was released by the Yankees on Saturday.
Ayers wasn’t a top prospect in the Yankees system by any means, but his performance wasn’t necessarily an indicator that he was holding the system back, either. He posted a 3.91 ERA in 134 appearances in the organization, including a 4.42 ERA in 38 2/3 innings last season across High-A and Double-A.
Ayers underwent Tommy John surgery at the end of last season, which likely played into New York’s decision to cut him loose. He took to Instagram on Monday to share some reflections on the move.
“Baseball isn’t always sunshine and rainbows,” Ayers wrote in the caption. “(Give) your everything to a game, an organization, 26 years healthy never missed a game till the inevitable TJ, but it’s just business. Plan stays the same, path is just a little different.
“I’m 10 weeks into my throwing program & progressing rapidly. I will be game-ready come September! I appreciate all of the people I’ve met through this org and along the way.”
Selected with the Yankees’ 16th-round pick in 2021 out of Kentucky, Ayers showcased some impressive strikeout potential in 2023 and 2024. That’s been a point of emphasis for the Yankees’ minor-league pitchers over the last several seasons, and after Ayers struck out less than a batter per inning last year, he apparently wasn’t high on the club’s list of important pitchers to find innings for this year.
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