Fantasy baseball: 2020 New York Yankees fantasy preview

2020 New York Yankees projected starting rotation

Gerrit Cole, RHP (20-5, 2.50 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 326 K in 212.1 IP with HOU)
James Paxton, LHP (15-6, 3.82 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 186 K in 150.2 IP)
Masahiro Tanaka, RHP (11-9, 4.45 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 149 K in 182 IP)
J.A. Happ, LHP (12-8, 4.91 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 140 K in 161.1 IP)
Jordan Montgomery, LHP (0-0, 6.75 ERA, 1.75 WHIP, 5 K in 4 IP)
Aroldis Chapman, LHP (3-2, 2.21 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 85 K in 57 IP, 37/42 saves)

The Yankees are loaded at pitcher. They could field another whole rotation with Johnny Cueto, Jeff Samardzija, Kevin Gausman, Drew Smyly, and Tyler Anderson if they need to, and that’s not even counting two really good prospects in the high minors.

Cole had one of the best seasons of the last decade last year for Houston. There’s reason to think that wont continue in Yankee Stadium. He gave up three runs in seven innings in his only prior Yankee Stadium start, but that’s not what concerns me. What concerns me is his poor career numbers against the Mets, Blue Jays, Red Sox, and Marlins. He’ll face all of those teams at least once.

Cole is going to go higher than Scherzer, Verlander, and Kershaw, and I really can’t argue that. He’s one of the few that is going to strike out 100 batters this season. Just expect the peripheral numbers to balloon a bit in his first year in New York.

Paxton and Tanaka are worth a look at the end of your rotation, but don’t take chances on them. Their best assets right now are wins, and we all know how foolish it is to chase wins in fantasy baseball. Paxton’s K rate makes him a guy you can throw out there every time, but Tanaka is no longer that safe.

Speaking of Tanaka, the Yankees aren’t going to push him even though he looks ready. With so many other pitchers that can step in, expect Tanaka to get around 10 starts instead of 12. That pushes his stock even lower.

Montgomery had a strong 2017, but injuries have ravaged his last two years. I like the upside, but I don’t like how loaded the Yankee rotation is. Draft him late if at all.

Chapman popped positive for the coronavirus, so he likely wont pitch until early August. That probably pushes him out of the elite tier of closers considering he’s likely to miss a tenth of the season. The Yankees will give him plenty of chances and he still has elite ratios, so don’t let him slip too far. Just make sure to grab Zack Britton in the short term while Chapman is out.

Prospects to watch:

While Clarke Schmidt has posted some good numbers, it has been Deivi Garcia that is wowing the Yankees so far. Garcia is just 21 and has strikeout numbers that blow almost everyone away. The Yankee rotation is crowded, but I see Garcia is a stash even if they only use him out of the bullpen. He’ll still help your ratios in standard leagues.

Nick Nelson has only gotten stronger in his ascension through the minors, but this roster is a tough one to crack. If he ends up getting a role on this team though, take notice. His strikeout rates are close to those of Garcia and his peripherals in the minors are mostly better.

There are only five more of these where this came from! Sports may be on hold, but we will have baseball sometime this season. We here at FanSided Fantasy are going to make sure you’re prepared!