Entering the 2022 season, fans surrounding this organization thought that the Yankees pitching staff might need another starter as well as maybe a bullpen arm. Forwarding almost a month into the season, that is not the case. The Yankees staff and bullpen have been dominant for the club and have shown they are truly an elite bunch. From the emergence of Nestor Cortes as a starter and Michael King out of the bullpen, they have already exceeded expectations.
The Staff
The pitching staff is lead by Gerrit Cole then followed by Luis Severino, Jordan Montgomery, Jameson Taillon, and breakout star, Nestor Cortes. Question marks surrounded the Yankees number two starter, Luis Severino, as injuries seemed to derail his career. However, he shot down all the rumors and negativity and has been lights out so far.
The biggest cause of concern for this staff so far, is ace Gerrit Cole. He hasn’t looked to bright to begin the season and in his latest outing against the Tigers, he couldn’t get out of the second inning. Due to the bright lights and media of New York City, he has received his fair share of backlash. Rightfully so, however, there is no doubt he will bounce back to the pitcher we all have seen in recent years.
The Pen
The Yankees bullpen was probably the brightest spot of the disappointing 2021 season. Lead by emerging star, Jonathan Loaisiga, they were stacked. 2022 seems to be no different for this loaded pen. Michael King been lights out in his appearances from the pen and adding him to the success of the rest of the arms, it allows Aaron Boone to go to whoever he wants in the later innings.
It doesn’t stop on the major league level either …
The Farm
The Yankees farm system is full of guys who throw filth. J.P. Sears, Luis Medina, Ken Waldichuk, Hayden Wesneski, Yoendrys Gomez, and Luis Gil are all guys who are promising pitching prospects. At any moment, it feels these guys could find success on the major league level.
The Yankees, as a whole, have the second best team ERA (2.43) in baseball and the best team ERA in the AL. They only trail the Dodgers in that stat. New York shot down all question marks surrounding their pitching so far into 2022 and there are no signs of them slowing down. The offense is a different story. With the Yankees elite pitching, they fail to win games that they should be due to no run support for their starters. The Yankees have some issues to address, but pitching is sure not one of them.
