Yankees Starter Will Warren Could Be Set for Breakout Season After Delivery Change

As the New York Yankees prepare for the 2026 season, fans are eagerly eyeing a few exciting new faces in their pitching rotation, including Carlos Lagrange, Elmer Rodriguez, and Ryan Weathers — all hard-throwing 20-something arms acquired from the Miami Marlins. But in the midst of all the excitement surrounding these new additions, Will Warren, a 26-year-old starter who’s been quietly making a name for himself, could be primed for a breakout season of his own.

A Subtle Yet Significant Delivery Adjustment

Warren entered spring training with a determination to make a small but potentially impactful change in his delivery. The young starter decided to pitch from the third base side of the rubber, a setup he used in college rather than the first base side he had previously employed in the pros. While it’s still early to say if this adjustment will catapult him to the next level in his development, the results thus far have been encouraging.

So far this spring, Warren has posted a 1.65 ERA in 16.1 innings pitched. The most notable difference from previous years is his dramatic reduction in home runs allowed. Last year, Warren struggled with giving up the long ball — at this time in 2025, he had allowed five home runs in 23 innings. This spring, however, he’s only surrendered one homer in his exhibition outings.

A Solid Spring Performance and a Strong Test Against Verlander

One of the more exciting moments of the spring came when Warren faced off against Hall of Fame-bound pitcher Justin Verlander in a spring training game between the New York Yankees and the Detroit Tigers. While spring training stats may not count for much on the official record, it was certainly a noteworthy opportunity for Warren to test himself against one of the game’s greats. And the results were encouraging — Warren and Verlander had near-identical swings-and-misses in the game, with Warren generating 11 whiffs and Verlander just edging him out with 12 whiffs.

Warren went on to pitch six innings, striking out two batters and allowing only two hits, one of which was a solo home run. What stood out from his outing, however, was his efficiency — he didn’t issue a single walk. Despite giving up some hard-hit balls (eight with an exit velocity of 95 MPH), Warren’s pitching was solid, and none of the hits were barreled, which is a promising sign for his future performance.

Reflecting on his outing, Warren said, “It was pretty good. I got ahead early, so we were efficient. I stayed out there for six innings, and obviously, the real mistake was to Dingler. I was trying to get backdoor [breaking ball] for a take, I missed middle. He gets a hit, and then McKinstry put a good swing on a sweeper.” His ability to stay efficient and avoid walks during a start against a veteran like Verlander is certainly a good sign moving forward.

What’s Next for Warren: A Promising 2026 Season Ahead

The real test for Warren, however, will come during the 2026 season. His 2.1 WAR in 162.1 innings pitched last year was solid for a 25-year-old backend starter, but the inconsistency in his outings was clear. In nine starts in 2025, Warren allowed more than four runs and failed to go past five innings. This inconsistency will need to be addressed if he hopes to break out in 2026.

With the Yankees’ rotation still in flux and a focus on securing stability in the bullpen, Warren could be poised to take the next step. If he can build on his strong spring training results, particularly with his adjustments in the delivery, he could find himself playing an integral role in a competitive Yankees rotation this season.

In addition to his impressive performance so far, Warren’s ability to limit home runs and keep hitters off-balance could make him a valuable asset, especially in high-leverage situations. With more confidence and consistency, Warren could easily become one of the Yankees’ most reliable starters moving forward.

Final Thoughts: The Ceiling is High for Warren in 2026

The 2026 season presents a significant opportunity for Will Warren to emerge as a key piece in the Yankees’ rotation. While it’s too early to declare him a breakout star, the changes he’s made in his delivery and his strong performance this spring have certainly raised expectations. With Ryan Weathers, Carlos Lagrange, and Elmer Rodriguez offering exciting competition in the rotation, Warren’s progress and ability to stay healthy could be the difference-maker for the Yankees this year. Fans and analysts alike will be watching to see if this 26-year-old starter can take the next step and deliver a breakout season in 2026.