Will Warren showcases his Yankees growth in nearly flawless spring outing

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Trea Turner went down swinging on a four-seam fastball.

J.T. Realmuto followed, returning to the bench after taking a 96 mph pitch looking.

Then came Alec Bohm, ending the first inning after whiffing on heat.

After striking out a two-time batting champion, three-time Silver Slugger Award winner and former All-Star, Will Warren walked off the mound, having given a glimpse of his ceiling, and a showcase of his growth, entering his second full season in the majors.

“If I see, like in that first inning, I thought that they were off the heater, I’m just gonna keep [throwing the] heater until they prove that they can hit it,” Warren said after the 5-3 win over the Phillies at BayCare Ballpark. “Last year, I may have been trying to overdo stuff or trying to make this super nasty pitch. And it’s like, you don’t really need to do that. Your stuff’s good enough as it is. Just execute and stay in control, stay smooth and be aggressive.

“A lot of times in spring training, it’s hard to get that amped-up feeling going, but when we roll out there in the first inning and it’s Turner, Realmuto and Bohm, that’s going to give you a little juice.”