AUTHOR: ZACHARY PATLIN
The start of the 2022 MLB season is less than two weeks away, with starting pitchers ramping up to be ready as a result of this abbreviated spring training. The Yankees did not add from the outside in terms of starting pitching, however what they have internally is young and deep, with a lot of upside potential.
The Yankees Opening Day starter against the Red Sox will for sure be Gerrit Cole, last year’s AL Cy Young runner-up. Robbie Ray took home the award and got a 5 year $115 million contract from Seattle because of the season he had with the Blue Jays. Gerrit Cole is one of the games best pitchers, and he will again show just why in the 2022 season. My projections for Gerrit Cole: 18-6 with a 3.34 era. He will rank in the top three in AL Cy Young voting again if he stays healthy.
Now we move on to the second tier, a large drop down from Cole’s tier, of Yankees starting pitchers. With no clear number two established yet for the 2022 season, Jameson Taillon, Jordan Montgomery, and Luis Severino will all pitch to attempt to secure that spot behind Cole in the rotation. Taillon had a two month stretch in the 2021 season where he was lights out, pitching to a sub 3.00 era in that stretch and showing every bit of his potential. Montgomery was probably the Yankees second most consistent pitcher throughout last season behind Cole, and was reliable every fifth day when he got the ball. Severino only pitched late in September after coming back from a multitude of injuries, but was lights out from the bullpen. It remains to be seen if he can bounce back and reclaim all star type numbers.
The third tier of Yankee pitching that will fill out the rotation and make spot starts when needed has many viable options. Let’s start with Nestor Cortes Jr. who had his best year as a pro in 2021 as he refined his mechanics and honed down on his command. Nestor will get every opportunity this year, whether it be in long relief or in the starting rotation, to show if he can sustain his performance from last year. The Yankees recently placed Domingo German on the 60 day IL, however when he comes off the list and begins his rehabilitation back to the mound, he will regain a starting spot in the rotation.
Also coming in this tier are some young pitchers who have come up through the Yankees system, including Clarke Schmidt, Mike King, Deivi Garcia, and Luis Gil. Each of these pitchers showed that they belong at the MLB level, so it remains to be seen which of these young arms will make the major league roster out of camp for opening day against the Red Sox. I predict Clarke Schmidt and Mike King will be on the opening day roster. The Yankees also continue talks with the Oakland Athletics about Sean Manea, as they will always look to add arms and depth to this rotation which has the upside to be great. Overall, this is one of the better rotations in all of baseball. Let’s just see if they can stay healthy and produce.
SPORTS ARE OUR UNIVERSE
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