The New York Yankees are already making moves as Spring Training gets rolling, trimming the edges of their minor league depth chart in an early effort to shape the roster for the season ahead.
On Monday, the Yankees released four minor league players: outfielder Joe Delossantos and pitchers Hansel Rosario, Cade Austin, and Justin Lange. None of the names are household-level prospects, but a couple of these cuts still raise an eyebrow.
Delossantos, a 10th-round pick in 2024, never quite found his footing. He appeared in just 31 games over two seasons in Rookie ball, finishing with a .294 slugging percentage - a number that tells the story of a bat that didn’t show enough pop to stick around in a crowded system.
Rosario, a right-handed pitcher signed back in 2021, also struggled to progress. He never advanced beyond Rookie-level and posted a 6.92 ERA during his time in the minors. For a pitcher in his early 20s, that kind of performance in the lower levels usually signals a tough road ahead, especially in a farm system as competitive as New York’s.
Then there’s Cade Austin. Drafted in the 19th round in 2023, Austin actually put together a solid stat line across two minor league seasons, with a 3.36 ERA.
That makes his release a bit more surprising. While he didn’t flash overpowering stuff, the consistency was there - and in a sport where reliable arms are always in demand, he may not be on the market for long.
Justin Lange is a name fans might remember from the 2022 Luke Voit trade with the Padres. Once viewed as a high-upside arm, Lange’s development has been derailed by injuries.
He missed all of 2024 and logged just 10 innings in 2025 as he worked his way back. The talent is still there, but the clock is ticking - and the Yankees, clearly, decided it was time to move on.
These early cuts are part of the natural churn that happens every spring. Not every prospect pans out, and not every draft pick gets a long leash. With a deep farm system and a win-now mentality at the big-league level, the Yankees are constantly evaluating who fits into their long-term plans - and who doesn’t.
While these four players may not have made headlines in pinstripes, the journey doesn’t necessarily end here. Pitchers like Austin and Lange, in particular, have shown enough to potentially earn another look elsewhere. Baseball has a way of offering second chances - and all it takes is the right opportunity with the right club.
For now, the Yankees continue to fine-tune their depth chart as they turn the page toward a new season, focused on the players they believe can help them contend - both now and down the line.