Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Fastball: 50 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45

One of the unsung heroes in Louisiana State's 2023 national championship run, Herring worked 4 2/3 innings of scoreless relief to beat Wake Forest in an elimination game at the Men's College World Series. The Tigers' best bullpen option as a Draft-eligible sophomore in 2024, he logged a 1.79 ERA with a 67/13 K/BB ratio in 50 1/3 innings while scouts lamented that he was too valuable in that role to get an opportunity to start. The Yankees gave him that chance when he made his pro debut this year after signing for a well-over-slot $797,500 in the sixth round and he was running with it, pitching well across two levels of A-ball when he was dealt with Josh Grosz to the Rockies for Ryan McMahon near the Trade Deadline.

Herring's best pitch is a sweeping mid-80s slider with horizontal and vertical action that confounds both lefties and righties. He can't overpower hitters with his fastball, which operates in the low 90s and tops out at 94 with some armside run, and he'll need to find more velocity or life against better competition. He threw only 11 changeups at LSU but emphasized the pitch more during three Cape Cod League starts last summer, showing some decent if firm mid-80s cambios with depth.

Herring has a long arm action and a less-than-smooth delivery, though it throws batters' timing off and didn't stop him from pounding the strike zone as a sophomore. To succeed as a pro starter, he'll need to add more strength to his 6-foot-2 frame and improve his fastball and changeup. If he can't, he still could become a high-leverage reliever thanks to his slider and mound presence.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 50 | Slider: 60 | Control: 50 | Overall: 40

As a freshman, Herring was one of the unsung heroes of Louisiana State's 2023 national championship, working 4 2/3 innings in relief to win an elimination game in the College World Series semifinals. He was the Tigers' best bullpen option as a Draft-eligible sophomore this spring and too valuable in that role to get a shot in the rotation. Scouts believe he has the ingredients to succeed as a starter in pro ball, and the Yankees will give him that opportunity after signing him for a well-over-slot $797,500 in the sixth round.

Herring's money pitch is a sweeping mid-80s slider with horizontal and vertical action that eats up both left-handers and right-handers. His fastball operates at 91-92 mph and maxes out at 94 with some armside run, though it doesn't have enough velocity or life to overhwelm hitters. There's still room to add strength to his 6-foot-2 frame, so he could throw harder in the future.

Herring's delivery isn't the smoothest and his arm action is long, but that didn't prevent him from significantly improving his strike-throwing in his second college season. To make it as a starter, he'll need to develop better feel for a too-firm mid-80s changeup that he almost never uses. His slider and competitive edge could allow him to fill a high-leverage role in a big league bullpen.

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Fastball: 50 | Slider: 60 | Control: 50 | Overall: 40

As a freshman, Herring was one of the unsung heroes of Louisiana State's 2023 national championship, working 4 2/3 innings in relief to win an elimination game in the College World Series semifinals. He has been the Tigers' best bullpen option as a Draft-eligible sophomore this spring and too valuable in that role to get a shot in the rotation. Scouts believe he has the ingredients to succeed as a starter in pro ball.

Herring's money pitch is a sweeping mid-80s slider with horizontal and vertical action that eats up both left-handers and right-handers. His fastball operates at 91-92 mph and maxes out at 94 with some armside run, though it doesn't have enough velocity or life to just throw it by hitters. There's still room to add strength to his 6-foot-2 frame, so he could throw harder in the future.

Herring's delivery isn't the smoothest and his arm action is long, but that hasn't prevented him from significantly improving his strike-throwing in his second college season. To make it as a starter, he'll need to develop better feel for a too-firm changeup that he almost never uses. His slider and competitive edge could allow him to fill a high-leverage role in a big league bullpen.

Awards

MiLB Awards All-MiLB Prospect First Team

Year	Team
2025

NWL Pitcher of the Month

Month	Team
08/2025

FSL Pitcher of the Week

Week	Team
05/25/2025
04/27/2025

FSL Pitcher of the Month

Month	Team
04/2025

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	07/29/2025	Spokane Indians activated LHP Griffin Herring.
	07/25/2025	Colorado Rockies traded 3B Ryan McMahon to New York Yankees for RHP Josh Grosz and LHP Griffin Herring.
	07/25/2025	LHP Griffin Herring assigned to Spokane Indians.
	05/28/2025	LHP Griffin Herring assigned to Hudson Valley Renegades from Tampa Tarpons.
	04/04/2025	LHP Griffin Herring assigned to Tampa Tarpons from FCL Yankees.
	03/04/2025	LHP Griffin Herring assigned to New York Yankees.
	08/05/2024	LHP Griffin Herring assigned to FCL Yankees.
	07/23/2024	New York Yankees signed LHP Griffin Herring.
	06/16/2024	College Workout activated LHP Griffin Herring.
	05/07/2024	Chatham Anglers activated LHP Griffin Herring.
	05/07/2024	LHP Griffin Herring assigned to Chatham Anglers.
	05/07/2024	Chatham Anglers activated LHP Griffin Herring.
	02/10/2024	LHP Griffin Herring assigned to Louisiana State Tigers.
	07/09/2022	LHP Griffin Herring and assigned to College Workout.
	07/13/2021	PG National 8 - Purple activated LHP Griffin Herring.