24-year-old Chasen Shreve was supposed to be a deal sweetener.

In January, the Yankees dealt Manny Banuelos, who Mariano Rivera once called the greatest pitching prospect he had ever seen, to the Braves. In exchange, they were to receive a sturdy veteran reliever in David Carpenter, along with Shreve, who had seen brief Major League action and hadn’t been regarded as a prospect to watch in Atlanta.

As we approach the All-Star break, not only has he survived in the bullpen longer than Carpenter, he’s solidified himself as one of the four most trustworthy arms in the bullpen. Only Dellin Betances and Justin Wilson have appeared in more high-leverage situations (20) than Shreve (12).

“He has that confidence where he believes he can get anybody out,” said bullpen-mate Adam Warren. “That’s what you’ve got to have, especially coming into those situations. No matter who it is, get ahead of him, and pitch your game. You want to pitch to your strengths, you don’t want to try to pitch to a guy’s weaknesses. I think that’s what he does, he just comes in with that confidence that he can get anybody out.”

Outside of a slight bump in the road at the onset of July, Shreve has found a groove as the season has gone on. He’s leaned on his sinker more and more, throwing it 20 percent of the time in April, 26 percent of the time in May, and 35 percent of the time in June. His whiff-per-swing percentages have also increased from 46.7 percent, to 52.4 percent, to 60 percent. He’s found and developed his most effective pitch, and as Warren said is so important, has pitched to his strengths.

Shreve allowed a run in his second outing of July, snapping a 16.1-inning scoreless streak that spanned 15 games. Maybe most impressive about his first half is this — he’s inherited 21 runners and allowed just three to score. He has the mental makeup to handle pressure situations, but he’s not necessarily settled in when he’s on the hill in a big spot.

“I don’t think you ever get comfortable in them,” said Shreve. “I don’t think you ever want to get comfortable in them. But, having done it before, it helps a little bit with confidence. You just try to go and do what you’ve done all year and not try and change. Just try to focus on the glove, throw strikes, and get ahead in counts.”

He’s a large component of what has proven to be a very versatile, and formidable, Yankees bullpen. The southpaw has proven he can get both righties and lefties out, with a .149 BAA & 19 K’s versus right-handed hitters, and a .209 BAA & 17 K’s versus lefties. Joe Girardi has been able to plug him in anywhere and get results.

“I don’t see his role changing a whole lot. He’s pitched really well, so he’s going to pitch important innings,” said Girardi. “Sometimes an important inning is the sixth. I think people get caught up in ‘it’s the eighth inning, it’s the ninth inning.’ Sometimes the game can be on the line in the sixth.”

With the return of Andrew Miller to the bullpen, and the relocation of Adam Warren, the Yankees now have a solid core of five relievers that can come in and get the job done in pressure situations. None of them are younger, and possibly more exciting, than Shreve. For the Yankees win the AL East, they’ll have to repeat what’s been a stellar first-half.

(Photo: Brad Penner-USA Today Sports)