Fansided

5 Yankees who won’t meet expectations in 2019

By Rucker Haringey

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 08: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees strikes out to end the eighth inning against the Boston Red Sox in Game Three of the American League Division Series at Yankee Stadium on October 8, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Red Sox defeated the Yankees 16-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 08: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees strikes out to end the eighth inning against the Boston Red Sox in Game Three of the American League Division Series at Yankee Stadium on October 8, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Red Sox defeated the Yankees 16-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 3: Luis Severino #40 of the New York Yankees looks on during the American League Wild Card game against the Oakland Athletics at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 3: Luis Severino #40 of the New York Yankees looks on during the American League Wild Card game against the Oakland Athletics at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

2. Luis Severino

There may not be a player on the Yankees roster with a wider spectrum of potential outcomes in 2019 than Severino. That unpredictability is based almost entirely on his 2018 campaign. He was arguably the best pitcher in baseball up until the All-Star break, but his pitching down the stretch left a lot to be desired.

Yankees fans are optimistic that the discovery that Severino may have been tipping pitches down the stretch was the root of his troubles. In theory, Larry Rothschild and the coaching staff can help their talented right hander break those tendencies.

It’s very possible tipping pitches was a big part of Severino’s struggles, but there was definitely something going on with his mechanics as well. The fact that Rothschild and company couldn’t fix that during the year is much more concerning. If those mechanical issues recur in 2019, it could be disastrous for Severino’s career.

The most likely outcome for Severino next season is that he will pitch more like a No. 2 starter than an ace. That’s not what Yankee fans want to hear, but that doesn’t make it any less true.

Many people believe Severino needs to be a true ace if the Yankees are going to win the World Series in 2019. We don’t agree. He only needs to be pitching his best when October rolls around. The Yankees must make sure Severino peaks at the right time. That could easily lead to a mildly disappointing season on the whole.

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