Yankees Hiring 33-Year-Old Matt Blake as Next Pitching Coach

As it turns out, the New York Yankees did not find their new pitching coach from the YES Network booth or at the collegiate level after all.

In a scoop first reported by ESPN's Jeff Passan, the Yankees are hiring former Cleveland Indians pitching coordinator Matt Blake as their new pitching guru.

The New York Yankees are hiring Matt Blake as their new pitching coach, sources tell ESPN. Blake was previously a pitching coordinator with the Cleveland Indians, who continuously have churned out quality big league pitchers. He also has worked as an area scout for the Yankees.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 8, 2019

The news surely comes as a surprise around the Cleveland camp, as the organization promoted Blake to director of pitching development just two days ago.

Blake, who's just 33 years old, does have a connection with the Yankees, as he served as an area scout for the franchise in the past. In 2016, he joined the Tribe as a pitching coordinator.

He is renowned for his work in developing Indians pitching prospects, and the Bronx Bombers were obviously impressed by his resume. One name that Blake developed is Shane Bieber, who notably won the MLB All-Star Game MVP award this past season.

#Yankees have not done well at developing SP. #Indians got 64 starts and a 3.30 ERA from Bieber/Civale/Plesac in ’19 after they were drafted between 3d-12th round in 2016. Blake is part of the group that nurtured the trio.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) November 8, 2019

After the team fired Larry Rothschild after nine seasons, the Yankees interviewed University of Michigan pitching coach Chris Fetter and YES Network commentator and former MLB hurler David Cone for the vacant position. Fetter was viewed as a hot commodity among MLB clubs, while Cone has knowledge to spare and a strong Yankee connection.

Manager Aaron Boone has his man to coach his pitching staff, and his name is Matt Blake.