Rookie Lives Up to Former Yankee’s Bold Prediction

“It’s a big accomplishment,” Warren told reporters. “I’ve been waiting a while to get this one off the table.”

The 25-year-old struck out six, walked two, and allowed just one damaging swing—a solo homer to Wilmer Flores —before handing the game to the bullpen. His poise stood out, especially given the timing.

With Clarke Schmidt just returning from injury, Warren's future had been up in the air. Suddenly, with Stroman going on the IL before Saturday’s game, the Yankees need Warren to step up into the role of a competitive and reliable starter

He might not have expected to be a key piece of the rotation in April, but his performance showed why the Yankees have kept him in the mix.

Former big leaguer and current analyst Cameron Maybin noticed. “Will Warren has a chance to be really good,” Maybin tweeted during the game. “Showing the ability to command multiple pitches... and his changeup could end up lethal if he can harness that pitch.”

Warren seems to understand where he is in his progression now and knows where he needs to go to be an effective big league starter.

. “I learned a lot,” he said of his earlier outings. “Been through some tough ones, but that’s what makes this one sweeter.”