Yost’s role grew over his three years at Northeastern, going from a pure reliever as an 18-year-old freshman in 2021 to a full-time starter two years later. (He also sprinkled in three separate summer trips to the Cape Cod League, a rarity for college arms.) After posting a 4.23 ERA with 57 strikeouts in 78 2/3 innings in his final season with the Huskies, the right-hander went to the Padres in the 17th round of the 2023 Draft and signed for $150,000. He split his first full season between Single-A and High-A, finishing with a 4.70 ERA and 97 K’s in 107 1/3 innings. After working on his pitch mix in the offseason, he’s been a breakout arm back with Fort Wayne in his second campaign.
Working from the first-base side of the rubber, Yost will occasionally flirt with the upper 90s early in outings, but velocity isn’t his strong suit with a fastball typically around 90-93 mph. There is some armside run that helps him sneak heaters back onto the gloveside corner for stolen strikes. Yost completed 2024 with a 79-82 mph curveball as his best pitch, and the tight breaker can still help him neutralize lefties. But his newfound 82-85 mph sweeper might be an even better pitch with its long tail, and it’s been huge at helping him post better numbers against same-side bats in ’25. A mid-80s changeup remains a work in progress as the clear fourth pitch.
Yost doesn’t overcomplicate his delivery and should throw enough strikes to keep getting starting looks. With an October birthday, he was young for his college Draft class two years ago, and he’s used the time afforded to him in pro ball to improve his arsenal and force himself on the radar as a potential No. 5 starter, despite the limited velo.
