Miguel Yajure

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Miguel Yajure

|image = Miguel_Yajure_Swallows_20240310.jpg

|image_size = 300px

|caption = Yajure with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows

|team = Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles

|number = 89

|position = Pitcher

|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1998|5|1}}

|birth_place = Cabimas, Venezuela

|bats = Switch

|throws = Right

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = August 31

|debutyear = 2020

|debutteam = New York Yankees

|debut2league = NPB

|debut2date = March 30

|debut2year = 2024

|debut2team = Tokyo Yakult Swallows

|statleague = MLB

|statyear = 2022 season

|stat1label = Win–loss record

|stat1value = 1–3

|stat2label = Earned run average

|stat2value = 7.58

|stat3label = Strikeouts

|stat3value = 35

|stat2year = April 4, 2025

|stat2league = NPB

|stat21label = Win–loss record

|stat21value = 5-10

|stat22label = Earned run average

|stat22value = 3.29

|stat23label = Strikeouts

|stat23value = 86

|teams =

New York Yankees ({{mlby|2020}})
Pittsburgh Pirates ({{mlby|2021}}–{{mlby|2022}})
Tokyo Yakult Swallows ({{npby|2024}})
Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles ({{npby|2025}}–present)

}}

Miguel Angel Yajure (born May 1, 1998) is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates, and in NPB for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows. Yajure signed with the Yankees as an international free agent in 2015, and made his MLB debut with them in 2020, becoming the first major-league player to wear number 89, MLB's last unused uniform number.

Career

=New York Yankees=

Yajure signed with the New York Yankees as an international free agent in March 2015, receiving $30,000.{{cite web |url=https://nypost.com/2019/08/21/miguel-yajure-is-next-yankees-pitching-prospect-making-waves/|title=Miguel Yajure is next Yankees pitching prospect making waves|first=Mollie|last=Walker|date=August 21, 2019|work=New York Post}}{{cite web |url=https://www.nj.com/yankees/2020/08/scout-raves-about-new-yankees-arm-miguel-yajure-who-already-is-on-verge-of-making-history.html|title=Scout raves about new Yankees arm Miguel Yajure, who already is on verge of making history|first=Randy|last=Miller|date=August 21, 2020|accessdate=September 1, 2020|work=NJ.com}} He made his professional debut that season at 17 years of age with the Dominican Summer League Yankees, and was 0–2 with a 1.42 ERA with an 0.926 WHIP in 57 innings in 14 starts.{{Cite web|url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/mlb/yankees/2020/06/12/new-york-yankees-prospects-pitcher-miguel-yajure/5286320002/|title=Analyzing New York Yankees' top 10 prospects: No. 7 Miguel Yajure|first=Pete|last=Caldera|website=North Jersey Media Group}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=yajure000mig|title=Miguel Yajure Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics|website=Baseball-Reference.com}} He played in 2016 with the Gulf Coast Yankees, and was 1–2 with a 2.87 earned run average (ERA) in {{fraction|31|1|3}} innings over nine games (six starts).

Yajure missed 2017 after undergoing Tommy John surgery.{{cite web |url=https://www.nj.com/yankees/2019/08/yankees-stud-pitcher-forcing-potentially-difficult-decision.html|title=Yankees' stud pitching prospect forcing potentially difficult decision|first=Brendan|last=Kuty|date=August 21, 2019|work=NJ.com}} Yajure returned in 2018 and pitched with the Single–A Charleston RiverDogs, for whom he was 4-3 with a 3.90 ERA in {{fraction|64|2|3}} innings over 14 starts.

Yajure started 2019 with the Single–A Tampa Tarpons before being promoted for two starts to the Double–A Trenton Thunder.{{cite web |url=https://www.sny.tv/yankees/news/yankees-pitching-prospect-miguel-yajure-turning-heads-in-minors/310191918/|title=Yankees pitching prospect Miguel Yajure turning heads in minors|first=Garrett|last=Stepien|date=August 22, 2019|work=SportsNet New York}} Between the two teams, he was 9–6 with a 2.14 ERA (leading all of minor league baseball, minimum 125 innings) in {{fraction|138|2|3}} innings covering 24 games (20 starts), in which he had 133 strikeouts (2nd among Yankee minor league pitchers). He was 2nd in the Florida State League with 122 strikeouts, 8th in wins, and walked 2.0 batters per 9 innings. After the 2019 season, he was named a 2019 Florida State League Postseason All-Star.{{cite web |url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/mlb/yankees/2020/06/12/new-york-yankees-prospects-pitcher-miguel-yajure/5286320002/|title=Analyzing New York Yankees' top 10 prospects: No. 7 Miguel Yajure|first=Pete|last=Caldera|date=June 12, 2020|accessdate=September 1, 2020|work=Northjersey.com}} After the season, Baseball America ranked him 11th among Yankees minor leaguers, and as having the best control among all Yankee minor league pitchers.{{Cite web|url=https://pirates.pittsburghbaseball.com/miguel-yajure/|title=Miguel Yajure|website=pirates.pittsburghbaseball.com}} On November 20, 2019, the Yankees added Yajure to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.

Yajure made his major league debut in relief on August 31, 2020, against the Tampa Bay Rays. He pitched three shutout innings, with two strikeouts and three walks. He wore number 89, MLB's last unused uniform number.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/yankees/news/final-mlb-uniform-number-89-miguel-yajure-yankees-pitching-prospect|title=Final Unused MLB Jersey Number Worn By Yankees Pitching Prospect in Big-League Debut|first=Max|last=Goodman|date=September 1, 2020|accessdate=September 1, 2020|magazine=Sports Illustrated}} In three relief appearances with New York in 2020, Yajure compiled a 1.29 ERA while striking out eight batters in seven innings, limited Major League batters to a .130 average.{{Cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/yajure-tops-pirates-prospect-package-for-taillon|title=Yajure tops Pirates' prospect package for Taillon|website=MiLB.com}}

=Pittsburgh Pirates=

On January 24, 2021, the Yankees traded Yajure, Roansy Contreras, Maikol Escotto, and Canaan Smith-Njigba to the Pittsburgh Pirates for pitcher Jameson Taillon.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/30771229/sources-new-york-yankees-acquire-pitcher-jameson-taillon-pittsburgh-pirates-four-prospects|title=Yankees land RHP Taillon in trade with Pirates|date=January 24, 2021|website=ESPN.com}} On June 24, Yajure was placed on the 60-day injured list with right forearm/elbow soreness.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/06/injury-updates-gregorius-plesac-smith-yajure-duran.html|title = Injury Updates: Gregorius, Plesac, Smith, Yajure, Duran| date=24 June 2021 }} He made four appearances (three starts) for the Pirates during 2021, pitching to an 8.40 ERA and striking out 11 batters in 15 innings.{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/y/yajurmi01.shtml |title=Miguel Yajure Stats |website=Baseball-Reference.com |accessdate=September 15, 2022}} He also appeared in nine games for the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians, compiling a 3.09 ERA and 2–3 record in {{fraction|43|2|3}} innings over nine starts.{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=yajure000mig |title=Miguel Yajure Minor Leagues Statistics |website=Baseball-Reference.com |accessdate=September 15, 2022}}

On September 14, 2022, Yajure recorded his first career save. Pitching in relief against the Cincinnati Reds, he surrendered two earned runs on two hits and a walk with two strikeouts in three innings of work.{{Cite web|title=Pirates' Miguel Yajure: Three-inning save|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/pirates-miguel-yajure-three-inning-save/|access-date=June 20, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=15 September 2022 |language=en}} During the 2022 season, Yajure split time between Indianapolis, pitching primarily as a starter and going 4-4 with a 6.09 ERA in {{fraction|54|2|3}} innings over 16 games (14 starts), and Pittsburgh, pitching primarily as a reliever and going 1-1 with an 8.88 ERA in {{fraction|24|1|3}} innings over 12 games (one start). In the minors leagues through 2022 he averaged 8.2 hits, 0.5 home runs, 2.4 walks, and 7.9 strikeouts per 9 innings.

=San Francisco Giants=

On December 2, 2022, Yajure was claimed off waivers by the San Francisco Giants.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/12/giants-claim-miguel-yajure-from-pirates.html|title = Giants Claim Miguel Yajure From Pirates| date=2 December 2022 }} On December 13, Yajure was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to the Triple–A Sacramento River Cats.{{Cite web |title=Giants Outright Miguel Yajure |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/12/giants-miguel-yajure-clears-outright-waivers.html |access-date=2022-12-14 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |date=13 December 2022 |language=en-US}} He spent the 2023 season split between the Single–A San Jose Giants, High–A Eugene Emeralds, and Triple–A Sacramento River Cats. In 22 combined appearances (19 starts), Yajure struggled to a 2–6 record and 6.07 ERA with 80 strikeouts across {{fraction|75|2|3}} innings of work. He elected free agency following the season on November 6, 2023.{{Cite web|title=2023 MiLB Free Agents|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2023-milb-free-agents/|access-date=December 19, 2023|website=baseballamerica.com|date=8 November 2023 |language=en}}

=Tokyo Yakult Swallows=

On December 6, 2023, Yajure signed with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows of Nippon Professional Baseball.{{cite web | url=https://hochi.news/articles/20231207-OHT1T51142.html?page=1 | title=【ヤクルト】先発候補の新外国人ミゲル・ヤフーレ獲得を発表ベネズエラ出身の２５歳右腕 | date=7 December 2023 }} In 23 appearances for the team in 2024, he compiled a 5–10 record and 3.34 ERA with 84 strikeouts across {{fraction|129|1|3}} innings pitched. On November 5, 2024, the Swallows announced that they would not bring Yajure back for the 2025 season, making him a free agent.https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/3b7f570f8e948aa4cb0a461487e7fce1bace2f6a?source=sns&dv=pc&mid=other&date=20241105&ctg=spo&bt=tw_up

=Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles=

On December 6, 2024, Yajure signed with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of Nippon Professional Baseball.https://x.com/GaijinBaseball/status/1864936005691744601

Pitching style

He is noted for his control. He has four pitches which include a fastball that occasionally reached 97 mph by 2020, a curveball, a cutter, and a good changeup.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/12/giants-claim-miguel-yajure-from-pirates.html|title=Giants Claim Miguel Yajure From Pirates|website=MLB Trade Rumors|date=2 December 2022 }}{{Cite web|url=https://rumbunter.com/2021/12/20/pittsburgh-pirates-2022-outlook-miguel-yajure/|title=Pittsburgh Pirates 2022 Outlook: Starting Pitcher Miguel Yajure|website=rumbunter.com|date=20 December 2021 }}