Ben Hess

Hess logged a 2.70 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 45:13 K:BB in 36.2 innings over seven starts at Double-A to close 2025. The Yankees selected Hess with the 26th pick in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft, and he logged 22 starts and 103.1 innings in his first pro season. Hess, who was promoted from High-A Hudson Valley to Double-A on Aug. 5, had a strong 33 percent strikeout rate on the year, but his 10.9 percent walk rate was a tad high. Hess has a couple plus pitches in his mid-90s fastball and mid-70s curveball, while his slider and changeup lag behind. He should spend the bulk of 2026 at Triple-A, but a summer promotion to the big leagues is in play if Hess picks up where he left off last season. Read Past Outlooks