Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz Named Baseball America’s Yankees Minor League Player of the Year
Bridgewater, New Jersey – Baseball America has named RHP Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz as their New York Yankees Minor League Player of the Year.
Bridgewater, New Jersey – Baseball America has named RHP Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz as their New York Yankees Minor League Player of the Year.
Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz has been named @BaseballAmerica’s @Yankees Minor League Player of the Year.🏅 pic.twitter.com/FE8NRqJ5mo
— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) September 22, 2025
Rodriguez-Cruz, the organization’s No. 5 prospect according to MLB Pipeline and Baseball America, is 11-8 with a 2.58 ERA and 176 K over 150 IP in 27 games (26 starts) in 2025. He is the active MiLB leader in strikeouts with 176, trailing only Jonah Tong (NYM) on the season.
For Somerset, Rodriguez-Cruz was 5-3 with a 2.64 ERA and 74 K in 61.1 IP in 11 starts. Since he debuted in Double-A on 7/12, Rodriguez-Cruz led all Eastern League pitchers in K (74), IP (61.1) and GS (11). Rodriguez-Cruz was tied for second in W (5), third in WHIP (1.04), fifth in ERA (2.64) and seventh in BA (.198).
Rodriguez-Cruz ranks among Yankees minor league leaders with 176 K (1st), 150 IP (1st), 26 GS (T-1st), a 2.58 ERA (2nd), .192 AVG (2nd), 1.07 WHIP (2nd) and 11 W (T-3rd).
Originally drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 4th round of the 2021 MLB Draft, the Yankees acquired Rodriguez-Cruz and future considerations in a trade with Boston for C Carlos Narvaez.
He has a minor league career 22-19 record, a 2.59 ERA and 371 K over 333.1IP in 75 games (70 starts).
About the Somerset Patriots
The Somerset Patriots are the New York Yankees Double-A Affiliate and develop today’s top minor league talent into the pinstriped superstars of tomorrow for MLB’s winningest team. The Patriots were named Baseball America’s 2024 Freitas Award winner for Double-A Organization of the Year. Home games are played at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater, NJ, where fans of all ages and levels of baseball fandom get to enjoy the unique experience that is minor league baseball. The 2025 season is presented by New Jersey Office Systems. To learn more, visit: somersetpatriots.com.