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5 Yankees who will exceed expectations in 2019

By Rucker Haringey

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - SEP 25: Gary Sanchez (24) of the Yankees hits a home run and is congratulated by Giancarlo Stanton (27) during the MLB regular season game between the New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays on September 25, 2018, at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, FL. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - SEP 25: Gary Sanchez (24) of the Yankees hits a home run and is congratulated by Giancarlo Stanton (27) during the MLB regular season game between the New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays on September 25, 2018, at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, FL. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – JULY 02: Jonathan Loaisiga #38 of the New York Yankees pitches against the Atlanta Braves at Yankee Stadium on July 2, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. Atlanta Braves defeated the New York Yankees 5-3 in eleven innings. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – JULY 02: Jonathan Loaisiga #38 of the New York Yankees pitches against the Atlanta Braves at Yankee Stadium on July 2, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. Atlanta Braves defeated the New York Yankees 5-3 in eleven innings. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

3. Jonathan Loaisiga

The 24-year-old Nicaragua native burst onto the scene seemingly out of nowhere for the Yankees last season. He was shut down due to concern over his workload almost as quickly. Loaisiga should be ready to throw significantly more innings in 2019.

The biggest question is how the organization will plan to use him. The best choice would be to allow him to function as a de facto sixth starter. He can get a few appearances of long relief out of the bullpen if everyone starts the season healthy, but sooner or later, he’d join the rotation in place of someone who goes on the shelf.

None of this means the Yankees are going to turn Loaisiga loose to throw 200 innings this season, but it’s very possible he can hit the 100 innings mark. That would quadruple the number of major league innings he was permitted to throw last season.

Remember, no one expects Loaisiga to pitch like an ace this season. If he can throw around 100 innings with an ERA of under 4.50 he’ll give the Yankees great substitute production in the fifth starter spot. It would also put him in a great position to take over CC Sabathia’s spot in the rotation once the 2020 campaign begins.

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