Paul Blackburn Emerges as Key Player for Yankees

For some time now, Aaron Boone had thought of Paul Blackburn as a bit of an unknown asset.

The right-handed reliever had managed to stay under the radar, despite helping the team out with a clean slate from the bullpen.

That appears to be changing.

Boone mentioned, “Someone asked me about his performance about a week or ten days ago.” This was after Blackburn delivered two solid innings of shutout relief, aiding the Yankees to a 2-0 victory in Game 2 of a doubleheader against the Pirates on Wednesday. “For over a month now, he’s been doing an exceptional job, whether it’s in crucial situations or eating up multiple innings.”

He noted that, “In the last six weeks, he has truly found his groove. Also, [Brent] Headrick has done well—he’s been effective against both lefties and righties and has become a significant asset for us.”

Blackburn has been impressive this season, currently boasting a 2.00 ERA. His last 14 outings, starting June 21, have seen him pitch 21⅓ innings while allowing just one earned run.

With the team relying on high-leverage pitchers like David Bednar and Fernando Cruz in the first game, Blackburn’s two innings were vital for the win. The Pirates nearly gained the lead in the seventh when Jared Toriolo, who had reached first, advanced to second and then third due to a throwing error from catcher Ali Sanchez.

Yet, Blackburn managed to escape the jam, striking out both Ryan O’Hearn and Marcell Ozuna. The Yankees then seized their opportunity in the latter half of the inning.

The 32-year-old joined the Yankees last year after being let go by the Mets in August. Though his performance initially fell short, he appreciated his time in New York and re-signed on a one-year deal. This season has marked a turnaround for him.

“Walking into the facility last year, I had no idea what to expect,” Blackburn reflected. “But from day one, they had a plan for me and showed genuine interest in helping me improve.”

Notably, an increase in speed has played a crucial role in his performance. His sinker is now averaging a career-high of 94.2 mph, a notable jump from the previous year’s 92.6 mph, enhancing the effectiveness of his second pitch.

“I had an entire offseason to work on it,” Blackburn shared. “I focused on the finer details to get stronger and boost my mobility. I just took it and ran with it.”