Mariners DFA Former Top Pitching Prospect

He was once hailed as one of the New York Yankees stars of the future on the mound, a top prospect with all the hype you might expect of a Yankee farmhand. But now, at just 26, Justus Sheffield has a 'DFA' beside his name. 

The Seattle Mariners have designated LHP Justus Sheffield for assignment. pic.twitter.com/nomxkNTRg9

— Complete MLB (@CompleteMLB) January 20, 2023

Drafted in the first round by Cleveland in 2014, he was traded to the Yankees in 2016. For two years, New York fans salivated about the day he would be ready to join the rotation in the Bronx. But he was dealt to the Seattle Mariners in 2018 in a trade for James Paxton. Sheffield was still all over top prospect lists around baseball at the time.  

But he was never able to meet those lofty expectations. Sheffield has a 5.47 ERA in 186 innings over bits of the last five seasons in the majors, with a 1.63 WHIP. And it got even worse in the minors last year, as he pitched to an untenable 6.99 ERA in 24 starts at Triple-A. 

Now, the Mariners have designated Sheffield for assignment to make room on the roster for Tommy La Stella. They'll have one week to trade him or hope that he clears waivers. 

Photo: Stephen Brashear-USA TODAY Sports