New York Yankees Part Ways With Disappointing Infielder

The New York Yankees have released 25-year-old infielder Owen Cobb from their Double-A affiliate, the Somerset Patriots.

The move was announced via social media as the organization continues to evaluate its minor-league roster amid a competitive 2026 season.

Cobb, a 6-foot-3, 195-pound shortstop from Seattle, signed with the Yankees as an undrafted free agent in July 2024 after a solid college career at Stanford.

The former Cardinal had been selected by the San Diego Padres in the 37th round of the 2019 draft out of high school but chose to attend college instead. At Stanford, he posted a .306 career average with 13 home runs over five seasons.

His professional start showed promise. In 2025, Cobb hit .310 with three home runs and 12 stolen bases in 40 games for the Single-A Tampa Tarpons.

That performance earned him an aggressive promotion in 2026, his age-25 season. He began the year at High-A Hudson Valley before moving to Somerset and receiving a brief six-game look at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

The jump to Double-A proved challenging. Across 81 games this season, Cobb slashed .245/.294/.349 with just three home runs, 32 RBI, and 14 stolen bases. At Somerset specifically, he hit .246/.298/.346 in 75 games, adding 17 extra-base hits.

Those numbers represented a clear step back from his 2025 production and fell short of expectations for a player viewed as a potential organizational depth piece. His on-base percentage hovered near .300, and extra-base power remained limited.

Cobb had been on the 7-day injured list since July 31 before the release. The Yankees had assigned him between affiliates throughout the summer, including a short Triple-A stint in late June, but he never gained consistent traction at the higher levels.

Career minor-league numbers sit at .257/.316/.372 with six home runs in 532 plate appearances.

The release comes as the Yankees manage roster spots across their system. Cobb’s combination of age, modest offensive output at Double-A, and the organization’s infield depth likely factored into the decision. He now becomes a free agent and can sign with another club.

Cobb’s time in the Yankees organization lasted just over two years. While he showed defensive versatility and speed, the offensive numbers at the upper minors never developed enough to keep him in the fold.

For a player who arrived as a college standout, the 2026 season marked a disappointing chapter in an otherwise determined professional start.