With the New York Yankees making several offseason moves to bolster their roster, some of their current talents are primed for big years in 2019. One such talent is Masahiro Tanaka, who put together a solid 2018 and continued to excel in big moments. Despite allowing many home runs and dealing with injuries, expect Tanaka to continue producing as the Yankees #2 starter.
2018 Stats (New York Yankees):
12-6, 3.75 ERA, 27 Starts, 159 SO, 156 IP, 1.128 WHIP, 2.9 WAR
After turning in an inconsistent 2017, Tanaka turned a corner in 2018, winning at least 12 games for a fifth straight year. He once again excelled in big games, including allowing only one run in five innings against the Red Sox in the ALDS. Despite winning game 2, the Red Sox would win the series en route to their fourth world series title in 15 years.
Tanaka will most likely be looked upon as the #2 starter of an improved Yankees rotation. He will join ace Luis Severino, along with C.C. Sabathia, J.A. Happ, and former Seattle ace James Paxton. Add in a powerful, albeit right-handed heavy lineup and nasty bullpen, and the Yankees will once again look to contend.
The biggest question with Tanaka is his health, specifically in his pitching arm. We all know about the partial UCL tear in his elbow that he’s had since 2014. It helps that he prefers movement over velocity and is not a flamethrower like Severino. Another concern is his allowance of home runs en masse. He’s only given up less than 20 bombs once in his MLB career, which was 2014. Since then, he’s allowed at least 22 in his next four seasons, including a career-high 35 in 2017.
Overall, look for Tanaka to continue his current pace, perhaps even improve in his current role in the rotation. Once the Yankees return to the postseason, expect Tanaka to further cement himself as a quality playoff pitcher, and maybe even a series MVP.