New York Yankees: Jordan Montgomery Should be in Starting Rotation
By Jason Evans
The New York Yankees have a ton of questions in their starting rotation. One of the answers should be left-hander Jordan Montgomery
The New York Yankees came into spring training with questions for the back half of their starting rotation. They were hoping that guys like Luis Cessa, Chad Green and Luis Severino would take the bull by the horns and grab a rotation spot. Instead, it’s been a prospect who’s not even on the 40-man roster who has emerged and he should be rewarded for that.
In the 2014 draft, the Yankees used their first pick on a young lefty from Mississippi State in Jacob Lindgren. The “Strikeout Factory” was supposed to be the next big reliever out of their bullpen. He is now with Braves and their pick two rounds later from another SEC school deserves a chance to be a starter on the Yankees.
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Jordan Montgomery has shown what he can do this spring after putting together an excellent season in the minors last year. Between AA and AAA he went 14-5 with a 2.52 ERA including a 5-1 record at AAA with a 0.97 ERA. He even got the win in the AAA championship game.
So far this spring, he has pitched four perfect innings as a part of the Yankees no-hitter last week and struck out eight over 4.1 innings yesterday against the Rays. He’s got a 3.68 ERA so far this spring.
The only pitcher pitching better in the competition is Green. Severino’s ERA is over 5.00. Adam Warren looks like he’ll be in the bullpen as possibly the sixth inning guy. Bryan Mitchell has a 4.32 ERA and Cessa’s ERA is 6.52.
Montgomery isn’t on the 40-man roster, but that shouldn’t matter. You can always DFA a player or put one of the 60 day DL in order to open up a 40 man spot.
The Yankees haven’t developed a young left-handed starter since Andy Pettitte who began his career over 20 years ago. They haven’t really been able to develop a young starter either which has put them in a tough spot not only this year, but moving forward because of expiring contracts.
Joe Girardi has already compared him to Chuck Finley.
"“I like him a lot,” Girardi said. “I think he’s got really good downward angle. I think he’s got deception. I’m very curious.”"
The Yankees need to give Montgomery a chance. Not for a start, but for a solid month, with him knowing even if he pitches a dud (and he will, it happens to everyone) that he’ll get the ball five days later.
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The Yankees are better when they have multiple lefties in their rotation because of their ballpark. They have a chance to give a young one a shot and there is no reason why they shouldn’t to start the year.