Will Warren showcases his Yankees growth during a near-flawless spring outing

CLEARWATER, Fla. – Trea Turner went down swinging with a four-seam fastball.

JT Realmuto followed, returning to the bench after taking a 96 mph pitch.

Then came Alec Bohm, who ended the first inning after a heat wave.

After striking out a three-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 demonstration of his growth, entering his second full season in the majors.

‘When I see that, just like in that first inning, I thought they were off the stove, I just stay [throwing the] heater until they prove they can hit it,” Warren said after the 5-3 win over the Phillies at BayCare Ballpark. “Last year I might have tried to overdo things or make a super dirty pitch. And it’s like you don’t really have to do that. Your stuff is 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 pumped feeling going, but if we get out there in the first inning and it’s Turner, Realmuto and Bohm, that’ll give you a little juice.”

Warren, 26, was nearly flawless in his second spring training, pitching 3 ²/₃ scoreless innings while allowing one hit and no walks.

The right-hander — who allowed one run in 2 ²/₃ innings with four strikeouts in his previous start — threw 50 pitches (33 strikes) and struck out four, opposite Phillies starter Andrew Painter, one of Philadelphia’s top players.

“I thought he was excellent,” manager Aaron Boone said of Warren. “Viernaad was crispy. I really liked his command. I thought he was very sharp. I thought Painter was a bit crispy early on, got my attention and then Will answered.”

“I think he’s really talented. I think he has all the weapons… He’s confident, so I know there’s more and I know he expects it. I don’t know what the ceiling is.”

Warren’s new shift to the third base side of the rubber may reveal this.

“I think the angle of attack is really weird for right-handers,” said Warren, who went 9-8 with a 4.44 ERA in 33 starts last season. “I think you saw that today. I’m getting really late swings there. For the lefties, I think the backdoor sweeper is going to be a huge pitch for me. It’s been a big pitch in the past, but if we go there, it looks like it’s never going to come back. The lines are getting sharper as we go through the spring, so I’m really happy with the adjustment we’ve made.”

“I think everything is in a good place… I think everything is moving in the right direction.”