Let’s Talk About Jefry Yan

First, let me begin my apologizing for the delay. Between midterms and a migraine headache, last week got away from me. But now, the papers are graded, and the Tylenol bottle is back in the cabinet, so let’s turn to baseball.

This week, Chase Dollander got plenty of attention after making his MLB debut in a game against Justin Verlander and the San Francisco Giants. (As Dollander revealed after the game, he was three when Verlander made his MLB debut. Let the kids play, indeed.) And, clearly, the number-one draft choice has earned all the attention he’s getting. (Will he break camp with the Rockies? Patrick Saunders thinks so.)

But can we take a minute to appreciate Colorado Rockies reliever Jefry Yan, who was also getting some attention, albeit of a very different variety.

Okay, the post-strikeout celebration is notable, but how’s the stuff? It’s worth taking a minute to look at the player behind the exuberance.

Can You Provide Some Basic Bio?

I can do that.

The 28 year old is a native of San Rafael del Yuma, Dominican Republic.

In 2013, the lefty reliever signed as an international free agent with the Los Angeles Angels and in 2014, made his debut with the Angels’ Dominican Summer League team. He stayed with the organization through 2015.

During that span, he appeared in relief 41 times in 59.2 IP for an ERA of 4.22 with 43 Ks.

In 2016, he underwent Tommy John surgery, making only one appearance in 2017, this time at with the Arizona League Angels. Then he was released.

Yan would spend the next three seasons out of affiliated baseball before signing with the Miami Marlins in 2021, moving between High-A and Double-A. He pitched in 21 games for 31.0 innings of work, earning a 2.61 ERA with 51 Ks. That he was able to return to professional baseball after such an absence is notable.

He remained with the Marlins in 2023, this time going between Double-A and Triple-A. He had 49 relief appearances in 57.0 innings of work, resulting in a 4.89 ERA with 102 Ks. He also scored 13 saves and was named a Southern League All-Star.

In November 0f 2023, he declared free agency before signing a $500,000 contract with the Santana Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball. There, things went less well. He earned a 5.58 ERA (35 Ks) in 37 appearances across 20.2 innings. In October of 2o24, the Lions declined to renew his contract.

After that, he signed with the Colorado Rockies — and he was also impressive in Winter Ball. There, he earned a 1.45 ERA over 22 appearances for the Estrellas Orientales, striking out 24.

How’s the Stuff?

Back in mid-December, Manny Randhawa wrote about Yan and his unique approach to pitching. As Randhawa puts it,

Baseball connoisseurs from the 1990s will surely recall the exploits of Carlos Pérez, who would pounce on the mound with his pitching arm in the air after a big strikeout or a big play in the field that got him out of a jam. Yan has demonstrated a similar flourish after completing his follow-through – in fact, Yan may have an even more flamboyant celebration style than Perez did.

As for the pitch mix, it’s nothing too remarkable: a four-seam fastball that can get up to 96 mph, a slider, and an occasional sinker.

The Rockies like themselves a lefty reliever, but it’s hard to see him supplanting budding star Luis Peralta.

So, Is This Happening?

I have trouble seeing Yan make the Rockies’ bullpen coming out of spring training. Their relief corps is going to be better than a lot of folks realize, and Yan has not yet shown he has the stuff to compete with the relievers expected to break camp with the team.

However, I think his starting with Albuquerque is very possible, and I wouldn’t rule out a mid-summer trip to Coors Field when injuries start setting in.

The Rockies are, generally speaking, a fairly conservative team, but I could see Yan’s post-K celebrations getting fans excited. (And, look, the Rockies signed Yan knowing this was his style.)

“That’s my style of play,” Yan said after catching the attention of baseball fans everywhere. “I’m electric. I like to have fun. I enjoy baseball.

Will he bring all that flare to Coors Field? Stay tuned.

What I’m Reading

• Skyler Timmins’ “What Could Diego Castillo Bring to the Colorado Rockies Bullpen?” (Purple Row) — Castillo has largely been overlooked in spring training coverage, but perhaps that’s a mistake. (Yes, I could see him breaking camp with the Rockies.)

• Kevin Henry’s “Colorado Rockies' Top Prospect Chase Dollander 'Attacks' in Promising Spring Debut” (Denver Gazette) — Everyone is talking about Chase Dollander. Henry followed up on the big moment.

• In case you missed the MLB Network’s stop at the Rockies Spring training, here you go:

I, for one, am super happy to see Ezequiel Tovar and Brenton Doyle becoming more comfortable as future faces of the franchise. (Plus, I thought the opening sequence with Doyle was pretty cool.)

Closing Thoughts

And that’s it for this week. Having baseball back is awesome, and seeing the Rockies beat the Dodgers — even though spring training games mean nothing — never gets old. (Plus, it doesn’t happen very often.)

As always, thanks for reading, and feel free to share this with a friend.

Hope spring is going well in your part of the world.

Renee

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Rockies Pitch is a newsletter that focuses on Colorado Rockies baseball. Find me on Bluesky at @Renee.Dechert.com.