Chad Green
Relief pitchers are typically praised because of their blow-by fastball or a nasty breaking pitch. But there are some hurlers that make a name for themselves as a workhorse with pinpoint accuracy and control.
For the Yankees, Chad Green owns that title.
Granted, the right-hander can reach in the upper-90s with his heater. But he doesn’t have the firepower that his teammate Chapman boasts, though his fastball is arguably more effective.
Thus, Green relies on his fastball more than any other pitch in his arsenal. And so far, he’s had spectacular results, primarily during 2018.
Green made a name for himself throughout the 2017 campaign, boasting a minimized 1.83 ERA and magnificent 6.06 strikeout-to-walk ratio. While he didn’t punch out as many batters in 2018, he ultimately bettered that ratio in 2018.
More than 85 percent of the pitches Green threw last season were fastballs, exemplifying his confidence in it. Also, it is worth considering that Green’s slider wasn’t as effective last season, which means he may not throw it as much.
Most relief pitchers carry one pitch that flummoxes hitters frequently. Mariano Rivera relied on his cutter for the entirety of his career.
That may be the case for Green. But the Yankees likely won’t matter what Green depends on, as long as he continues to produce great results. If his fastball remains this effective, that shouldn’t be an issue.
Jordan Montgomery
It will be difficult for Yankees fans to be without Montgomery for possibly the entire first half of the season. After watching the southpaw in his first year with the club in 2017, fans gravitated toward him.
More importantly, fans across the league witnessed how Montgomery’s curveball puzzled hitters at the plate.
The lefty’s numbers from 2017 are intriguing and demonstrate just how essential his off-speed stuff is to his success. When looking at strikeouts, Montgomery registered just three with his sinker, which he threw 603 times.
He threw his curveball 655 times but accumulated 74 whiffs. He also allowed just nine walks via the curveball, which is impressive considering how often he threw it.
More importantly, opposing hitters were unable to garner several extra-base hits. In 2017, the Yankees starter allowed just eight of them, while in his abbreviated 2018 season, he yielded just one.
Opponents currently own a .476 OPS against Montgomery’s curveball, whereas their OPS against his sinker and fastball are both greater than .840.
It will be difficult for New Yorkers to have great expectations for the left-handed hurler, especially because he may not hold a rotation spot upon his return. He could replace whomever is injured at that time.
Nevertheless, as long as Montgomery’s curveball is intact, he can be a strong contributor, whether it be in Yankees’ bullpen or in the rotation.