When the New York Yankees put Domingo German in the starting rotation due to injuries, they had no idea that he would be this effective.
The 26 year old righty out of the Dominican Republic sits at 6-1 and is among AL leaders in wins and ERA. He’s got at a 2.35 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP.
The Yankees are consistently getting six innings out of him per start, which helps reduce bullpen use.
Sunday proved that he can pitch against good teams
Believe it or not, Sunday’s start against the Twins was his first start against a team over .500, and you wouldn’t even know it.
German tore-up the red-hot Twins, currently one of the best teams in baseball.
Over 6 and 2/3 innings, German gave up just four hits and a run, but walked three while striking out seven. He got first-pitch strikes to 15 of the 27 batters he faced. He worked 10 fly-balls compared to just three ground-balls.
Though he has had a ton of success, the walk numbers are still a bit high, averaging about two a game.
German is also throwing a lot of strikes despite the highish walk numbers. 69 of his 108 pitches on Sunday were for strikes, and 10 were swings and misses.
What should happen once Severino comes back
Aaron Boone confirmed recently that Luis Severino wouldn’t return before the all-star break, meaning German will be in the rotation for a while longer. But once Sevy comes back, what will happen?
If German keeps throwing the way he is, he will stay in the rotation. A move to the bullpen would likely be between CC Sabathia and JA Happ.
If Happ keeps struggling, it could be him that goes to the bullpen. If he manages to turn it around, it could be CC due to his reduced stamina from age.
But either way, you would have two starters in the bullpen, the other being Luis Cessa. Remember, Cessa is out of options, meaning he would have to clear waivers to go to AAA.
Would the Yankees want to take that chance? I certainly would, but the front office really likes Cessa.
If they kept two starters in the bullpen, maybe you do something where Chad Green stays with Scranton until September, then call him up for the final month and the postseason. After CC retires, move Green back into a bullpen spot for 2020, with the rotation being: Severino, Tanaka, Paxton, Happ, German.
But then you would have a healthy Jordan Montgomery, but that’s a whole nother story.
German has been fantastic so far in 2019, and deserves a secure spot in the rotation now and in the future.