Spring training has seen some New York Yankees prospects making notable strides. Shortstop George Lombard Jr. and outfielder Spencer Jones are both impressing, showcasing their potential for the Opening Day roster amidst team injuries. Meanwhile, Yerry De Los Santos is pushing for a bullpen spot. In contrast, ace Gerrit Cole's recent performance raised concerns as he struggled against the Minnesota Twins, allowing six runs in 2.2 innings. Although his spring training stats appear grim, they don't fully reflect his overall performance level, as his pitches showed promise with a proStuff+ rating above average.

Despite the bumps, Cole's health is a positive sign after an injury-plagued previous season. While his outing against the Twins was rocky, a closer look reveals a mix of bad luck and the fact that he's still refining his repertoire, including a new knuckle-curve pitch. This spring is critical for him to prepare for the regular season, and the focus remains on his pitch quality rather than the anomalies in his statistics.