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MLB: 5 prospects that can help the Yankees in 2020

By Rucker Haringey

CLEVELAND, OH - JULY 07: Deivi Garcia #64 of the American League Futures Team pitches during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Progressive Field on Sunday, July 7, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - JULY 07: Deivi Garcia #64 of the American League Futures Team pitches during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Progressive Field on Sunday, July 7, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 27: Michael King #73 of the New York Yankees pitches against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington on September 27, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 27: Michael King #73 of the New York Yankees pitches against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington on September 27, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images) /

2. Michael King

King managed to make it to the big leagues in enough time to pitch a scoreless frame in 2019, but it’s hard to qualify his season a success. Injuries took a toll on the 24-year-old starter’s ability to really break out and help the big league club.

Fortunately, it looks as if King has those physical issues behind him. He doesn’t profile as a top-tier starter, but like Yajure, he has a very high floor as a pitcher. His stuff may be a little bit on the fringe at times, but his exceptional command allows him to out-pitch his talent level.

King will absolutely head to Spring Training with the goal of breaking into Boone’s rotation. His ability to do so will be heavily influenced by what the organization does during the winter. Signing a big-ticket free agent like Gerrit Cole or Stephen Strasburg could easily push King back to AAA or make him trade bait. On the other hand, dealing someone like JA Happ could open up a roster spot for King to seize.

Like Florial, King doesn’t need to nail down a big league roster spot in Spring Training. A good performance in Florida would put him in a great position to be the team’s first call-up when injury inevitably strikes. It’s a big year for King if he wants to have a long-term future in pinstripes.

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