Yankees Acquire Pitching Prospect with Devin Williams-Like Changeup

The Yankees traded infielder Jorbit Vivas to the Nationals for right-hander Sean Paul Linan, who scouts say has an elite changeup that could make him a late-inning weapon.

Mar. 23, 2026 at 10:03am

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The New York Yankees traded infielder Jorbit Vivas to the Washington Nationals in a move to clear a roster spot before Opening Day. In return, the Yankees acquired right-handed pitching prospect Sean Paul Linan, who scouts say has a changeup that draws comparisons to the devastating 'Airbender' pitch that made Devin Williams famous in Milwaukee.

Why it matters

While the trade may seem minor on the surface, the Yankees believe Linan's elite changeup could make him a high-leverage bullpen piece down the road. The Yankees have a track record of developing pitchers with dominant individual pitches, and they are hoping to work the same magic with Linan's changeup as they did with Cam Schlittler's sinker and Cade Winquest's arsenal.

The details

Linan, a 21-year-old right-hander from Colombia, pitched at three levels in the Nationals and Dodgers farm systems last season, posting a 3.03 ERA with 106 strikeouts in 77.1 innings. Scouts say his changeup, which sits 79-82 mph, generates a 60% whiff rate, earning it comparisons to the 'Airbender' pitch that made Devin Williams a two-time All-Star in Milwaukee.

  • The Yankees traded Vivas on the morning of their Grapefruit League finale on Sunday, March 23, 2026.
  • Linan was in the Nationals' big league spring training camp this year, indicating the organization's belief in his ceiling.

The players

Jorbit Vivas

A 25-year-old infielder who was out of minor league options and competing for a bench spot with the Yankees this spring, but lost out to non-roster outfielder Randal Grichuk.

Sean Paul Linan

A 21-year-old right-handed pitching prospect from Colombia who was originally signed by the Dodgers and later traded to the Nationals. He is known for his elite changeup that has drawn comparisons to the 'Airbender' pitch of Devin Williams.

Devin Williams

A former Milwaukee Brewers reliever whose devastating changeup, nicknamed the 'Airbender', made him a two-time All-Star before a rocky stint with the Yankees and a move across town to the Mets.

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What they’re saying

“Linan has a legitimate claim for the best changeup in minor league baseball. The 6-foot right-hander throws the 79-82 mph offering like a screwball with significant drop and armside run, and oddly, it's also his highest-spin pitch.”

— MLB Pipeline

“Batters whiffed on 60 percent of their swings against the cambio that earns Devin Williams comps from virtually all that witness it.”

— MLB Pipeline

What’s next

The Yankees have assigned Linan to High-A Hudson Valley, where they will work to develop his secondary pitches and build on his elite changeup.

The takeaway

By turning a minor roster move into an acquisition of a pitching prospect with a potentially dominant pitch, the Yankees have added an intriguing arm to their farm system who could develop into a late-inning weapon if their pitching development staff can work its magic.