TAMPA — Angel Chivilli’s phone rang late on Jan. 27 as he played dominoes with friends in the Dominican Republic. His agent delivered stunning news: the New York Yankees wanted to trade for him from the Rockies.

The deal closed the next day. Colorado received T.J. Rumfield, a minor league first baseman. Chivilli, 23, joined a franchise with 27 World Series titles.

“When you think about the opportunity of coming to such a team as the New York Yankees, you know the history behind the team,” Chivilli said through a translator. “Seeing that a team like that is willing to give me a chance to come in here, join this team, it felt very good.”

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman had eyed Chivilli before. He discussed the pitcher with Colorado’s previous front office under Bill Schmidt. Cashman reconnected after Paul DePodesta took over this offseason.

Chivilli’s numbers raise eyebrows. He posted a 7.06 ERA in 2025, with 2.0 homers per nine innings and a 15.6% strikeout rate. Since his 2024 debut, his ERA sits at 6.18 over 73 games. Standard stats do not scream upside.

Yet scouts see promise. Chivilli’s fastball averaged 97.1 mph last year, landing in the 88th percentile. His slider and changeup generated whiff rates of 45.5% and 42.6%. He also induced groundballs at a 49.8% clip.

Leaving Coors Field helps. The altitude-friendly park punished flyballs. Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake likes the raw tools.

“He’s got two really good offspeed pitches,” Blake said. “What’s the threshold for how we use those? Is there anything we can do with the fastball? It got hit a little bit last year, but ultimately, we gotta control the strike zone, and then get miss.”

Work started fast. Assistant pitching coach Preston Claiborne said Chivilli threw for minor league pitching coordinator Brett DeGagne at the Yankees’ Dominican complex right after the trade. No major tweaks yet. Both sides are adjusting.

“There might be something down the line, but obviously he came in with two big-time swing-and-miss pitches,” Claiborne said.

Manager Aaron Boone watched Chivilli in live batting practice Wednesday. He praised the athleticism. Command needs work. Boone expects Yankees catchers to aid targeting.

“We think we can help him get better, because he’s got a lot of talent,” Boone said.

Flexibility exists. Chivilli holds a minor league option and one year of service time. The Yankees can develop him slowly if spring training drags.

Several bullpen spots remain open. Other prospects compete in Tampa. Chivilli aims to seize one for Opening Day.

“It’s exciting,” he said, “because at the end of the day, it tells you that you have the potential to be a good piece for this team.”