Adam Warren: Bronx Potential?

One of the top pitching prospects in the Yankees system is Scranton-Wilkes Barre starter Adam Warren. Warren has risen quickly through the Minors, being drafted in the 4th round of the 2009 draft and already arriving at AAA for Opening Day 2011.

 Adam Warren while pitching for UNC in 2009

Beginning his professional career with Low-A Charleston in 2009, pitching his way to a 4-2 record in 12 games. Warren logged a strikeout rate of 7.94/9, while managing a walk rate of just 1.54/9. This helped him accumulate a very sharp 2.19 FIP. Warren's success continued in 2010, going 11-7 with High-A Tampa and Double-A Trenton. He again managed to keep his strikeout rate high and have a low walk rate, striking out as many as 9.77/9 while with Trenton.

2011 has been a different story for Warren, however. In 17 games with Scranton, his walk rate has been alarmingly low, averaging only 5.8/9, while his walk rate has risen to 3.29/9. Although this works out to a very economical 3.91 xFIP, one would believe his K/9 and BB/9 rates would be enough to keep him out of the Bronx anytime soon.

Or would they?

Considering the Yankees promoted Hector Noesi to the long reliever's role earlier this year, there really isn't a reason why they would hold Warren out of NY. Noesi struck out just 4.79/9  and walked 3.92/9 before being promoted, so what's holding Warren back?

Pitchers like Dellin Betances, Manny Banuelos, or even Graham Stoneburner are too far away from being called up, and guys like Andrew Brackman are simply not pitching well. If Hector Noesi had an opportunity at pitching in the Bronx, then Adam Warren should certainly get a chance too.