Position Preview: Pitching

It’s obvious that pitching has been an issue for the Yankees over the past few years. It’s early, but through Spring Training, this year seems a little bit different.

Starting from the top, you’ve got the ace, Gerrit Cole. The 300 million dollar man. He’s going to be leaned on a lot all year. Expect big things from him every five days on the mound. He is the leader of this staff. So far this spring, through 12 innings, he’s 3-0 with a 3.55 ERA and adds in 19 strikeouts. These are numbers we’re looking for, and we can only expect more during the regular season.

Credit: AP Photo/Frank Franklin II

Next to talk about are the two new guys. Jameson Taillon and Corey Kluber. These two are going to be crucial. If they stay healthy and can throw good, productive innings, that will go a long way for the Bombers. Through 9.2 innings for Kluber he has a 1.86 ERA with nine strikeouts. Taillon has been even better. He’s sitting at a 1.08 ERA with 14 strikeouts through his 8.1 spring innings. 

Sitting with Cole, Kluber, and Taillon as the top three to open the season up looks pretty good on paper and especially so through spring training with the good performances we have seen from all three. Rounding out the rotation in the last two sports will most likely be Jordan Montgomery to give a little lefty mix and Domingo German. 

Big things seem on the horizon for German and Montgomery, hoping to be big factors in this Yankees rotation. Through Gumby’s ten spring innings, he has a 0.90 ERA and has won all three of his starts. German has not given up a run through nine innings this spring. If these two can keep up anything similar to that throughout the regular season, they will complete a lethal rotation in the Bronx. 

Those five guys are going to be a great five to go into the season with, but the depth is what is really intriguing. Deivi Garcia, who was great in the shortened 2020 season, is most likely not going to make the opening day roster. He’ll be in Scranton along with Mike King and Clarke Schmidt (when he comes back from injury), who both saw MLB innings in 2020. We also can’t forget about Luis Severino, working his way back from Tommy John Surgery, who is set to return at some point later this summer.

Credit: AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar

The bullpen is looking strong early as well. Chapman and Green are the two reliable arms that Boone knows he can count on, but with Zack Britton out for a few months, there needs to be some fillers who can throw some good innings. Darren O’Day will be in there, as well as Jonathan Loaisiga and Luis Cessa. Justin Wilson, who left a game with left shoulder tightness earlier this week but has since been told it would only need some medication and rest, will be a factor in the pen as well. He may not be ready for opening day, but he will play a role during the year for sure. That leaves a handful of guys to fill in the last few spots. Expect names like Nick Nelson, Tyler Lyons, and maybe spring star Lucas Luetege to come in and eat some innings out of the bullpen. 

Things are looking bright for the Yankees all around. On paper, it is one of the best pitching staffs that the Bombers have had in a while. If most of these guys stay healthy and can be productive, we're in for a fun and hopefully long Yankees season.

Article by: Matt Zumbolo Follow @m_zumbolo5 Follow @BronxBomberBall