Yankees Release Catching Prospect Josh Breaux After Struggles
The Yankees once had high expectations for Josh Breaux, their second-round pick from the 2018 MLB Draft. Initially ranked as the Yankees’ No. 15 prospect in 2019 by MLB Pipeline, Breaux showcased raw power and a strong defensive arm. Yet, despite early promise, Breaux’s performance and injuries have plagued his development and he was recently released by the team. This season, he struggled, hitting just .143 over 11 games at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and ultimately landing on the Yankees’ Development List.
Compounding his struggles, Breaux has had diminishing returns at every minor league level, striking out 354 times in 326 games while managing a .241 batting average and 69 home runs. His release reflects the Yankees’ evolving strength at the catcher position. Austin Wells, Ben Rice, and Agustin Ramirez now lead a robust group of catching prospects, making Breaux expendable.
Interestingly, the Yankees’ 2018 draft class has largely underperformed. Their first-round pick, Anthony Seigler, has yet to live up to expectations and is now playing second base in Double-A Somerset while struggling offensively. Conversely, Austin Wells, initially a 35th-round pick in 2018 who later became a first-round selection in 2020, has emerged as a key player for the Yankees and is projected to be a starting catcher for years to come.
