The New York Yankees have claimed outfielder Taylor Trammell off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers, with infielder Kevin Smith being designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster. Trammell, a 26-year-old outfielder, was acquired by the Dodgers earlier this season through a trade with the Seattle Mariners after not making the Opening Day roster and being designated for assignment. Trammell has struggled to find success at the major league level since being drafted in the first round of the 2016 MLB Draft by the Cincinnati Reds.
After working his way through the minor league systems of the Cincinnati Reds and San Diego Padres, Trammell was part of a seven-player trade in 2020 that sent him to the Seattle Mariners. In his major league debut season in 2021, he appeared in 51 games but struggled with a .160 batting average, eight home runs, and 18 RBIs. Trammell’s performance did not see much improvement in the following seasons, with his batting averages remaining low and limited playing time in 2022 and 2023. With the Dodgers this year, he only had six at-bats before being designated for assignment when the team called up their top outfield prospect.
Trammell will now have an opportunity to make an impact with the New York Yankees, who currently hold the top spot in the Newsweek MLB Power Rankings. Despite his struggles at the major league level, Trammell is seen as a talented player with potential. With the Yankees’ strong starting outfield consisting of Alex Verdugo, Aaron Judge, and Juan Soto, Trammell will likely start in Triple-A and aim to earn a call-up to showcase his abilities. At 26 years old, he still has time to fulfill the potential that led to him being a first-round draft pick.
In New York, Trammell will join a team with high expectations and a solid roster. Pressure to contribute immediately may be low, given the strong outfield lineup the Yankees currently have. Trammell will have the opportunity to develop in the minor leagues and work towards earning a spot in the major league roster. With experienced players like Verdugo, Judge, and Soto leading the outfield, Trammell can learn from their performances and work towards reaching his full potential as a major league player. The Yankees’ depth in the outfield will provide Trammell with the opportunity to grow and showcase his skills when the time comes for his call-up.
