TJ

Sikkema

Sikkema was the 38th overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft but has been unable to stick with the Yankees, Royals, or Reds prior to this season. He allowed five runs on 10 hits in five innings for the Red Sox this season. At one point, it seemed like Seth Martinez was destined for a spot in the Red Sox bullpen, but he got hit hard in his last outing and will now re-evaluate his next move. Song is the only one with minor league options remaining, and the former fourth-round pick looked good in spring, allowing just one run on three hits in eight innings while striking out nine and walking four. The Red Sox will hope to keep him in the organization.

Sikkema pitched for the Reds in 2025, posting a 4.57 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and 72/31 K/BB ratio in 86 2/3 innings across Double-A and Triple-A. Interestingly, Sikkema was traded from the Yankees to the Royals in 2022 for Andrew Benintendi, who was once one of Boston’s best players. Sikkema has not panned out as the Yankees, Royals, or Reds had hoped, but he’ll get another chance in Boston.

Sikkema has put up strong numbers in High-A Hudson Valley in 2022 with a .248 ERA and 54/9 K/BB ratio in his 36 1/3 innings. The concern here is that he’s already 24 and hasn’t moved above High-A, but he throws all of his pitches for strikes with two plus offerings in his fastball and slider. He’s the pitcher with the most fantasy upside of the three acquired by Kansas City in the deal.

Sikkema gave up two hits, one unearned run and one walk. The left-hander is starting to work deeper into games -- the five innings are a season high -- and the southpaw has struck out 19 hitters over his last nine innings while lowering his ERA to 2.32 over 31 innings. The 38th pick of the 2019 draft, Sikkema is too old for High-A as someone who turns 24 at the end of July, but he’s a pitcher who throws strikes with three pitches, and two of those are plus in his fastball/slider combo. Sikkema doesn’t have elite upside, but has a high floor because of his command, and could be an option for the Yankees by the end of next year.

Sikkema allowed just one hit, and he didn’t issue a walk. The 38th pick out of Missouri hasn’t allowed a run in his first two professional appearances, and he fanned 7 over six innings of work. Sikkema isn’t overpowering, but he can touch 95 mph with his fastball, and he complements an above-average hater with a slider that flashes plus, and a change that’s just a tick behind. Everything has movement, and he’s very difficult to square up. Sikkema might profile best as a multi-inning reliever, but the stuff/command might be good enough for him to join the Yankees’ rotation someday.

Anderson Pickard of MLB Daily Dose says that Sikkema will receive a $1.9523 million bonus, which is the slot value for the 38th pick. The left-hander should be a fast-mover for the Yanks and could be used either as a starter or reliever.

Sikkema throws everything with movement, and his 90-92 mph fastball plays up because of the run and sink he gets on his offerings. He also shows a plus slider, and he’ll mix in a decent change as well. The question is what role he’ll pitch in, but one way or another, he should contribute to the Yankees.