Projecting the Yankees starting rotation in 2019

5. Jonathan Loaisiga

We’ll start here by discussing who isn’t getting the nod. It’s possible that CC Sabathia might return, but we think Cashman is going to try to get younger. That eliminates both he and Lance Lynn from the competition. Lynn, in particular, could return as a long man in the bullpen.

It’s possible the organization will add a second free agent like Charlie Morton here, but we think the team will try to control their payroll by giving a youngster the spot. It should boil down to a Spring Training battle between Loaisiga, Justus Sheffield and Chance Adams.

Loaisiga gets the nod because of what he showed the organization last season. He came up and made several quality starts for the Yankees when they really needed someone to stabilize their rotation. He began the year as a relative unknown, but he finished the campaign as one of the organization’s top prospects.

That quality experience gives him a narrow edge over the competition. Sheffield is really the other guy who could get the nod here. He’s probably got better stuff than Loaisiga, but his questionable command is still an issue. It’s not out of the question Sheffield can steal this spot with a strong Spring.

Jordan Montgomery can also com back and be a factor here, but he probably won’t be ready until the middle of the year. Look for Loaisiga to be the first young guy who gets a chance to cement is spot in the 2019 rotation.