The Latest From The Pinstriped Baseball Lane- Let's Talk Pitching Expectations

   The New York Yankees have become notoriously known for their pitching depth and they are especially known for the talented arms that are featured in the backend of the pinstriped bullpen. While that has been the case, their starting rotation has been up and down in the last few years. As we approach the start of the 2021 baseball season, the starting rotation of this team will be under a microscope as most of the starters have a lot to prove. Outside of the ace they have in Gerrit Cole, there are a lot of "what ifs" when it comes down to health concerns.

  Some of those "what ifs" can possibly be the rescuing force that could play a vital role in shaping how the starting rotation pans out in 2021. Specifically, there are two pitchers apart of the starting staff that are showing promising signs amid their injury stints.

  All things considered, the Yanks took some huge gambles this offseason to put themselves on track for another championship run. One of those gambles was place upon veteran righty Corey Kluber who has had a history of injuries, but has proven his worth as a valued starting pitcher throughout his career.

  The "proven his worth" part of his career is a big part as to the Yanks' reasoning behind the acquisition. Looking at the projected season that Kluber could possibly have based off of yesterday's spring outing, there is a big cause to confidentially believe that Klubot could be an effective number two or three start in 2021.

In yesterday's spring outing, Kluber pitched to a four ERA in 155 innings of work, which is evidence that he could be a valuable veteran asset to this team that has their eyes on the price.

  Of course, when it comes to a pitcher of his caliber, it’s very hard to project a player who has barely seen the field at all in a two year stint. Depth Chart had Kluber in line for 26 starts, meaning they likely see either some down period where Kluber has to sit. The other side of it shows that they’re being very considerate of the potential for spot starts and skipping through the rotation as pitchers across the league build their arms back. When it comes down to Kluber-like pitchers, you also have to take into account that there was and still is uncertainty around the pitcher's name due to his injury history, but if he can maintain his newly found pitching demeanor that he is currently utilizing during his spring outings, then he working his way back into elite pitching form.  

  As we await to see how the signing of the Cleveland righty works on for the Yanks in the regular season, the Yankee organization and the fan base are both optimistic about the return of Luis Servino.

  For a long time before the Cole signing, Luis earned the title of Ace Sevy, but it has been quite some time now since fans got to call him that. There is no denying that Gerrit Cole is the undisputed ace of the current staff, but given the same account, don't discount what Sevy has done in the role before the Cole Ages. After al, let's not forget both guys came up through the Yankee ranking as prospects of the organization.

  It's no doubt that it has been a while since fans saw Sevy pitch a game for the Yanks on a major league level. As a matter of fact, let's take a trip down memory lane. Shall we ?

  When was the last time we saw a dominating performance by our former ace ? Well there were a lot of moments, but let's look at one in particular.

  The last time, if my memory serves me correctly, was when Sevy was in the relief role. Severino jumpstarted his 2017 breakout season by throwing out of the pen in 2016, posting a 0.39 ERA in 23.1 innings that ended up overshadowing his record as a starter earlier that year. 

  Well since then, he made a name for himself, and he did so exclusively as a Yankee starter. It is no question that all Yankee fans know that Severino has been a superstar-caliber pitcher on the mound for the organization, but he did hit a slump in the second half of 2018, which we have now come to know that was due to injury complications.

  Coming out of a 60-game sprint and heading into a 162 game season in 2021, if the question marks are filled by a healthy Kluber and Taillon, Sevy can very well serve a bullpen piece once gain. Now that is not guaranteed to happen, but Sevy has the starter and bullpen role under his belt. 

  Whichever way the cards fall, the Yankee have guys that all have established track records as starting pitcher and everyone stays healthy, Aaron Boone will his worrk cut out for him as he manages everyone's role in the starting rotation.