The Depth is Too Deep
The Yankees have so far stood pat with their starting pitching. So, if and when they need them, who will the Bombers call on from the farm?
Of course this list starts with Luis Cessa and Domingo German. But that is no bold prediction as both were used last year, Cessa as a starter. But Domingo was sent down specifically so he could stay stretched out, and Cessa is just reliable enough. They are the next two replacement starters right now.
Both Ben Heller and Giovanny Gallegos have already been used out of the pen, Heller for each of the last two seasons. Each will likely find a handful of innings this year, again.
Beyond those, the waters get a little murkier.
Justus Sheffield pitched a shortened season at Double-A Trenton last year and, in Spring Training, looked like a pitcher who still needs another full year of development. Dillon Tate looks to be behind him and even more in need of additional time. Chance Adams remains an enigma.
That leaves little in the way of starting pitching depth. I’m not saying one of those three could not become big league ready by July or August, just that it looks very doubtful right now.
Spitting Hot Fire
Bullpen arms, however, might be attached to some new faces. Most notably has to be Domingo Acevedo; here’s part of MLB’s scouting report:
"Acevedo’s fastball has been clocked as high as 103 mph, though he usually works from 93-97 mph as a starter, which is even tougher to hit because of the funkiness and angle his 6-foot-7 frame and low three-quarters arm slot create. That slot makes it tough for him to stay on top of his mid-80s slider, which may never be more than an average offering. He compensates with a plus changeup that he locates well and is effective against both left-handers and right-handers. For an extra-large guy with a lot of velocity, Acevedo throws a surprising amount of strikes."
He has a big right arm but only two reliable pitches right now. That sounds exactly like a reliever.
Acevedo was almost invisible at spring training, outside of a few brief, private words he and I shared at the practice field one morning. But he will appear at The Stadium at some point this season.
That is highly possible for Cody Carroll, as well.