Yankees: Masahiro Tanaka Pitching Like a Top-15 Pitcher

By Bill Pivetz | Mar 8, 2017

Feb 16, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka walks onto the field during MLB spring training workouts at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

The Yankees rotation is a big question mark for 2017. However, Masahiro Tanaka is proving that he can be the ace the Yankees are looking for.

The New York Yankees are rebuilding for the future but that doesn’t mean they want to win now. With the success of the offense so far in Spring Training, things are looking up for the “Baby Bombers.” The big question is how will the rotation hold up. The way Masahiro Tanaka is pitching, he is looking like the ace everyone thought he could be.

In his first two seasons with the Yankees, Tanaka has faced some injuries. He made 20 and 24 starts, respectively. Looking at his usage from his time playing in Japan, it’s no surprise that is arm couldn’t hold up. He finally broke 30 starts last season and pitched well in the process.

Tanaka made 31 starts and posted a 3.07 ERA, 1.077 WHIP, and 14-4 record. He was clearly the Yankees best pitcher last season. He strikeout ratio dropped a bit, 8.1 K/9 in 2015 to 7.4 last year. Tanaka kept his walk rate at 1.6 BB/9, even with the huge increase in innings.

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Tanaka pitched in 45 more innings from 2015 to 2016. He allowed three fewer home runs and just eight more earned runs. He ended the season strong with six of his last nine starts were quality starts.

Tanaka seems to be carrying it over into this season. He’s been dominant this spring. While the sample size is small, the results are telling. In five innings, he has three hits, zero walks, six strikeouts, and a .176 opposing batting average.

He will be the Yankees’ Opening Day starter on the road against the Tampa Bay Rays. Tanaka actually had better stats on the road than at home. He had a 3.86 ERA/1.087 WHIP/41 ER at home and 2.34 ERA/1.067 WHIP/27 ER away from Yankee Stadium.

Tanaka finished the 2016 season as the No. 52 overall player on the Player Rater. He is currently my No. 23 starting pitcher at the end of my fourth tier. I would draft him at the beginning of Round 9 as your third starting pitcher.

Next: 10 Spring Training Takeaways for Fantasy Owners

I think not pitching for his home country in the World Baseball Classic. It removes any extra stress he would have put on his arm. Tanaka will enter the 2017 season at 100 percent and with the way he is pitching this spring, he could have a top-15 season.

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