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. He follows Carlos Mendoza and Grayson Crawford, who also left the Yankees’ organization after the 2023 season to work with the Mets since David Stearns’ arrival. Druschel joined the Yankees’ Major League staff after the 2021 season, though he’d been with the organization since 2019.
Druschel was a valued coach within the Yankees, known for his expertise in data analysis and effective communication skills, which helped players improve significantly. Originally hired from the University of Iowa after the 2019 season, he spent three seasons on the Major League coaching staff. Now with the Mets, he will continue as an assistant pitching coach, potentially with room for advancement.
With Sam Briend as the Yankees‘ Director of Pitching and Matt Blake as Head Pitching Coach, both likely to stay, the team’s pitching development remains focused on cutting-edge analytics and strategy.
For the Mets, Druschel’s hire adds to their efforts to build an innovative and successful program. Grayson Crawford also joined from the Yankees, having led the Somerset Patriots’ Double-A team to a league-best ERA and impressive strikeout stats in 2023. Additionally, Carlos Mendoza, hired as Mets manager last winter, led the team to an NLCS appearance in 2024, marking a successful season.
Druschel’s skills will be valuable for the Mets as they aim to foster both external acquisitions and homegrown talent. Meanwhile, the Yankees will rely on their coaching pipeline to fill Druschel’s role.
