The New York Yankees enhanced their bullpen by trading starting pitcher Nestor Cortes. and prospect infielder Caleb Durbin to the Milwaukee Brewers.
For this old scout, Durbin can become a key component of the December 13 trade.
There is little question Williams adds depth to the Yankees pen. And, there is little question Cortes can bolster the Brewers rotation.
But speedster Caleb Durbin may be flying a bit under the radar to both Yankees and Brewers fans.
The right-handed hitting Durbin is capable of playing all infield positions, with the exception of first base.
At 5-6, and a chunky 185 pounds, Durbin 24, has good speed, and superb instincts on the bases.
Durbin was a 14th round pick of the Atlanta Braves in the 2021 Major League Baseball draft.
Signed out of Washington University in St. Louis, Durbin received a $50,000 signing bonus.
The Braves traded Durbin to the Yankees in December 2022.
Durbin played in the Arizona Fall League to gain at-bats after missing time in 2024. He was hit by a pitch and suffered a broken right wrist.
This scout evaluated Durbin during his time in both the 2023, and 2024 Arizona Fall Leagues.
Both years, Durbin showed an uncanny ability to steal bases.
In 2023, he stole 21 bases in 23 attempts.
This fall. in just 24 games, Durbin set the single-season Fall League stolen base record, with 29 stolen bases in 30 attempts.
Durbin was also named the Arizona Fall League's Breakout Player of the Year, when he hit .312, with 29 hits, in 117 plate appearances.
Durbin makes good contact, as he struck out only six times this past fall.
An aggressive runner, Durbin's tools are limited.
Durbin's speed can't be denied. He can change a game by stealing a base at a critical moment.
Durbin has't shown much power. Not yet.
in his four minor league seasons. He has 64 doubles, six triples, and 22 home runs, in 1, 216 plate appearances, covering 281 games.
Because he makes good contract, Durbin is capable of taking pitches where they are thrown.
Durbin features excellent eye-hand coordination, and a short, measured stroke at the plate.
Durbin realizes he isn't a power hitter, and is astute at getting on base and then attempting to steal.
His self-awareness is a big part of why this scout feels Durbin can be successful at the major league level; albeit in a limited role.
Most likely Durbin will become a utility infielder, and pinch-runner coming off the bench.
His knowledge of the strike zone, his patience at the plate, and his ability to follow the ball out of the hand of the pitcher, has resulted in Durbin's favorable walk rate.
Defensively, Durbin is adequate at second base, which to this scout, appears to be his most viable major league defensive position.
Durbin has good range, and solid first-step quickness at second base.
Durbin does not appear to have enough arm strength to handle shortstop or third base on a regular basis. Over time, his throwing shortcomings could be exposed.
Strong for his frame, it appears Durbin has reached his maximum physicality.
Durbin played last year at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where he appeared in 82 games, receiving 375 plate appearances. He hit .287/.396/.471/.867, with 23 doubles, two triples, and ten home runs. He drove in 60 runs, and stole 29 bases, in 32 attempts.
Durbin struck out only 37 times, while accepting 47 walks at Triple-A.
The Yankees saw enough in Durbin to put him on their 40-man roster, prior to the trade with the Brewers.
Durbin is on the 40-man roster of the Brewers, and will be exposed to a higher quality of pitching during Brewers spring training.
Durbin is the No. 15 ranked Milwaukee Brewers player by MLBPipeline.com.
Durbin's limited tools reflect in this scouts Scouting Grade of 45 for Durbin.
A Grade 45 players is a non-regular, utility player. A player of that type has a limited, but crucial role on a club.
In the case of Caleb Durbin, that role should begin with his ability to steal bases-an important component of a well-rounded team.
The story below by Chuck Murr illustrates Durbin's success in the Arizona Fall League