Fansided

5 Yankees who haven’t lived up to the hype in 2020

By Rucker Haringey

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 01: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Gary Sanchez #24 of the New York Yankees in action against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium on August 01, 2020 in New York City. The Yankees defeated the Red Sox 5-2. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 01: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Gary Sanchez #24 of the New York Yankees in action against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium on August 01, 2020 in New York City. The Yankees defeated the Red Sox 5-2. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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Adam Ottavino, New York Yankees
BUFFALO, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 07: Adam Ottavino #0 of the New York Yankees reacts after giving up six runs, including a grand slam to Danny Jansen #9 of the Toronto Blue Jays, during the sixth inning at Sahlen Field on September 07, 2020 in Buffalo, New York. The Blue Jays are the home team and are playing their home games in Buffalo due to the Canadian government’s policy on coronavirus (COVID-19). (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images) /

3. Adam Ottavino

The Yankees signed Ottavino to be a dominant setup man to control the 7th and 8th innings of tight games. His poor pitching this season has relegated him to be an afterthought in Boone’s bullpen.

Ottavino has appeared in 23 games on the year, but his 6.00 ERA has his postseason role very much in jeopardy. He’s certainly going to make the playoff roster, but he might not get the workload he’s received in years past.

The big issue for the veteran right-hander this season has been an inability to command his breaking pitches. That’s forced him to rely too much on his fastball. He can run the ball up there in the mid-90s, but the pitch is not a difference-maker against quality hitters.

Ottavino has only managed to strike out 24 hitters in 18 innings pitched this season, but his breaking ball has been noticeably less effective. When it’s on, right-handed hitters can’t touch it. Unfortunately for Ottavino and his teammates, he’s struggled to find the corner with it in 2020. As such, he’s experienced the worst season since he broke into the big leagues.

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