According to Andy Martino of SNY, Yankees assistant pitching coach Desi Druschel is set to join the Mets in the same position, moving from the Bronx to Queens. Druschel follows Carlos Mendoza and Grayson Crawford, who also transitioned from the Yankees to the Mets after the 2023 season, marking a trend of Yankees coaches moving to the Mets since David Stearns took charge. Druschel joined the Yankees’ Major League staff after the 2021 season, though he’s been with the organization since 2019.
Desi Druschel Departs From the Yankees, Becomes Mets Assistant Pitching Coach
The Yankees have lost one of the organization’s brightest minds with the departure of Desi Druschel, who was highly respected by both past and present coaches. Druschel’s grasp of data and skill in simplifying complex concepts for players earned him strong buy-in and helped pitchers make significant strides.
Hired from the University of Iowa after the 2019 season, Druschel has spent three years on the Yankees’ Major League coaching staff. Now, he joins the Mets as assistant pitching coach, the same role he held in New York, with potential for further advancement.
Sam Briend and Matt Blake currently lead the Yankees’ pitching development as Director of Pitching and Head Pitching Coach. They have fostered a progressive culture focused on advanced pitching analytics, which is unlikely to change unless either coach takes a new opportunity.
For the Mets, this is another key acquisition from the Yankees, as they build a forward-thinking operation. Grayson Crawford, who coached the Double-A Somerset Patriots in 2023, led a staff that posted the league’s best ERA (3.56) and ranked third in strikeouts (1,397), aiding the development of top prospects like Drew Thorpe, Chase Hampton, Will Warren, and Richard Fitts.
Last winter, the Mets made a splash by hiring Carlos Mendoza as manager. In his first season, Mendoza led the team to an NLCS appearance, making 2024 a standout year despite being eliminated by the Dodgers.
Druschel’s expertise will be invaluable to the Mets as they focus on both acquiring and developing talent for a sustainable, successful future in Queens. While the Yankees will need to fill the gap left by his departure, their strong pipeline of coaching talent should help them find a fitting replacement.
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