Who will be in the starting rotation is one of the main issues facing the New York Yankees as they get ready to begin Spring Training for the 2025 MLB season. With six possible applicants fighting for only five seats, the competition is intense and is sure to be one of the season’s most captivating plotlines.
One of the main areas of the Yankees’ attention is their starting lineup.
Significant injuries and departures
The remaining positions in the rotation are up in the air, despite having a core group of seasoned pitchers, particularly in light of some significant injuries and departures.
Ace Gerrit Cole, who has been among the league’s top pitchers ever since joining the Yankees, is anticipated to be the team’s mainstay on the pitching staff.
Cole is guaranteed to start at number one and will be relied upon to lead and offer consistency all season long.
But there are four spaces left to be filled. Who gets the desired rotation places will ultimately depend on how well the Yankees perform during Spring Training, but they have a number of choices to choose from. Luis Severino, Domingo Germán, Nestor Cortés, Carlos Rodón, Clarke Schmidt, and rising prospect Randy Vásquez are some of the candidates.
Luis Severino has struggled with injuries and inconsistency
Luis Severino has struggled with injuries and inconsistency throughout his turbulent Yankees career. He has the potential to be a top pitcher, though, when healthy. To guarantee a spot in the rotation, Severino will need to maintain his health and give his best effort during Spring Training. After a 2024 season marred by injuries, the Yankees will be keenly observing him to see if he can maintain his speed and command, which are essential to his success.
Strategy and capacity for swings and misses
One of the most unexpected success stories in recent years has been the rise of Nestor Cortés, a fan favorite. In 2022, Cortés emerged as a reliable starter and established himself as a key member of the Yankees’ pitching staff. Cortés is a great asset because of his deft left-handed strategy and capacity for swings and misses. Although it is anticipated that he will push for a position, his ability to remain consistent throughout the season will be crucial to his chances of getting into the rotation.
In order to increase their pitching depth, the Yankees signed Carlos Rodón, another left-hander, over the winter. Rodón has established himself as one of the league’s best starters thanks to his stellar recent performance. Securing a position will depend on his ability to overwhelm batters with his slider and fastball. Rodón must, however, demonstrate that he can maintain his health and play at the caliber he did in his most recent seasons with the San Francisco Giants and Chicago White Sox.
Randy Vásquez, Domingo Germán, and Clarke Schmidt are all regarded as reliable depth alternatives.
Schmidt had several promising moments in 2024, but his inconsistent play prevented him from securing a position. Despite having a solid 2024 season finale, Germán will need to demonstrate his reliability over the course of the entire season. As a young player, Vásquez will probably be assessed during Spring Training to determine whether he is prepared for a more significant role in Major League Baseball.
In the end, both performance and health during the Spring Training phase will determine the Yankees’ pitching staff. As the team attempts to assemble a strong pitching staff that can compete for a World Series championship, the race for the remaining rotation places will be one of the most highly watched contests.
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