There are plenty of big names in the New York Yankees’ bullpen to get excited about. The Yankees’ big three of Aroldis Chapman, Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances get all the press, but rookie right-hander Johnny Barbato might be the team’s secret weapon in the middle innings.

After compiling a 1.64 ERA in 11 Grapefruit League appearances and winning the James P. Dawson Award as the team’s outstanding rookie, this spring Barbato made the big league club. The 23-year-old made his MLB debut on opening day against the Houston Astros. He struggled in the cold to start, hitting the first batter he faced, Tyler White, on the right hand. However, Barbato settled down and struck out three batters across 1.1 innings. He joined Stan Bahnsen (1966), Edwar Ramirez (2007) and Alfredo Aceves (2008) as the only Yankees pitchers to strike out at least three hitters without allowing a hit or a walk in his debut. It was certainly a debut that Barbato couldn’t have planned any better.

Barbato came to the Yankees from the San Diego Padres in a trade that sent Shawn Kelley the other way. It was thought that he might need Tommy John surgery after strained ligaments in his elbow reduced his velocity from the mid-90s to the mid-80s. He didn’t need the surgery after all, as rehab has allowed him to regain his velocity. The Yankees are certainly thankful for that.

The Yankees started Barbato in Double-A last season, but he worked his way up to Triple-A where he posted a 4-0 record, 0.36 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 26 strikeouts in 25 innings. That performance put him on the Yankees’ radar and helped allow GM Brian Cashman to deal Adam Warren to the Chicago Cubs for Starlin Castro.

While the killer trio gets all of the press, the Yankees might have an ace up their sleeve in Barbato. He has the ability to be an outstanding middle reliever, and while all of his appearances won’t be like his first, he could easily lock down a spot in the middle innings. The one detractor is he is one of the few relievers who have options remaining, so he might be sent down when Chapman comes back from his suspension. If he does pitch like this, however, he could make it impossible to send him down. It is a long way to go, but Barbato is off to the right start.