Ryan Weathers was knocked around in today’s Grapefruit League loss. The new Yankees southpaw allowed seven runs on eight hits in three innings. He’s up to 16 earned runs over 12 1/3 frames across four starts this spring.
The struggles haven’t jeopardized Weathers’ hold on a rotation spot. Manager Aaron Boone confirmed the lefty will open the season in the starting five (relayed by Bryan Hoch of MLB.com). Boone noted that he’s more focused on the pitcher’s raw stuff than results in exhibition play.
Despite being hit around, Weathers has shown a promising arsenal. His fastball is up above 98 mph on average, a tick higher than his 97 mph heater during last year’s regular season with Miami. Weathers has picked up 17 strikeouts while missing bats on more than 14% of his offerings. It’s certainly an ugly ERA, but the velocity and whiffs are encouraging.
Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Will Warren, Luis Gil and Weathers will comprise the season-opening rotation. Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón are each opening on the injured list. Cole threw an inning in his first Spring Training appearance on Wednesday. Rodón hasn’t pitched this spring but could be ready for regular season action by the end of April.
Weathers and Gil each have a minor league option remaining. They’ll have a few starts to try to ensure they stick in the rotation once Rodón and/or Cole are healthy. It’d be crowded if everyone is available, but the Yankees don’t have much experienced depth in the short term. Osvaldo Bido is out of options and could find himself back on waivers next week. Swingmen Ryan Yarbrough and Paul Blackburn and prospect Elmer Rodríguez (who has yet to pitch in the big leagues) are the other healthy rotation options on the 40-man roster.
Among the team’s non-roster invitees, no one turned more heads this spring than righty Carlos Lagrange. The 22-year-old fireballer reeled off 13 2/3 innings of one-run ball while recording 13 strikeouts. He was routinely pumping triple digit fastballs with wipeout secondary stuff. There was some thought that Lagrange might even be pitching his way into the Opening Day conversation, but the Yankees reassigned him to minor league camp this afternoon.
Boone acknowledged that Lagrange looked much nearer to MLB readiness than he’d anticipated coming into the spring. “I don’t know if we were ever going to break [camp] with him, but I would say we’ve at least talked about it,” he told Greg Joyce of The New York Post. “What he’s done the last six weeks definitely made us think maybe he’s closer than we think.”
Lagrange’s arsenal would probably play in the big league bullpen already. It’s potential top-of-the-rotation stuff, so the Yankees will continue developing him as a starter in the minors to work on his command. Lagrange was around the zone this spring, only issuing four walks with one hit batter. That’s obviously a small body of work. His strike-throwing has been the big question in the minors. Lagrange walked more than 12% of opponents in his 120 innings between High-A and Double-A last year. He’ll need to be added to the 40-man roster to keep him out of the Rule 5 draft next offseason, and it seems likely he’ll debut at some point this year.
Paul Blackburn…fart noises
With a name like Schlittler he’s got to pitch good.
Well no worries there. U ain’t hitting him. Lol.
What is alarming as for Weathers is much of those horrendous stats came with many players away for the concluded WBC.
But those peripherals! Sure, he got hit around, but it was a 98 mph pitch that got clobbered. And since they have been swinging from their heels, when he does get an out, its by a K, so the runners don’t advance. Nobody looks at ERA anymore, so what does it matter that its above 10.00 against secondary lineups? Lets just give him the Cy Young now!
Nah I totally disagree. I think you should definitely translate Spring Training stats into how the dude will pitch in the regular season, considering how accurate that usually ends up being! /s
I typically don’t put much weight in spring stats but this year is different. I’m concerned about Connor Wong as well. As for ERA, it’s still important. I’m in the minority but other than certain situations, I want the ball in play if I have a good defense behind the pitcher who today exerts too much energy. While those 98 mph pitches creates a lot of swing and misses, they also create a lot of foul balls and too many walks. Too many pitches thrown usually means the starter is out by the sixth if not earlier. Those old enough to remember the ten man staff likely enjoyed the game more (at least I did) because it meant five or six outfielders, an extra infielder and more times than today a third catcher. This allowed managers to truly manage. Ten pitchers was fine as they pitched instead of throwing as hard as they can and were more durable. Sparky Anderson chose a staff of nine for the 75 World Series!!
dewey- not worried about Weathers truthfully. If he isn’t going to work out as a starter. I can definitely see him have some success as a long or middle reliever. Nice lefty power arm my man!
Captain. I understand and it’s a long season. He’ll find himself but getting off to a good start is important. If Story did, his average would have last year been much higher, he’d have had close to 30 homers and well over 100 ribbies. As for my back up catcher, I just read how Cora is still behind Wong.
Rumor spreading round in that Scranton town,
About that hurler named LaGrange.
Most clever ZZ Top reference.
You know what I’m talking about
He is great. I would let him pitch on the minors for a little longer. Maybe 3 months. Then get him to The Show as a reliever if our rotation is still rotating
Yeah, let the guy demonstrate that he can throw more strikes than he did in AA last year and, if he does, find a role for him in the second half.
I’m really not in favor at all of putting him in the pen. I don’t even want to chance another Joba scenario. Put weathers in the pen and Lagrange be the 5th starter. We all wanted to trade half the farm for Skubal, now we have the chance to grow our own dominant starter. Please don’t screw it up by putting him in the pen and throwing off his growth as a starter.
Betances worked out pretty well and is a much closed comparison. Not going to be much of a starter walking +5 per 9.
He’ll be starting in the minors to begin the year, which is where he belongs. But he did only throw 120 innings last season, which more than doubled his career total, so I don’t reckon he’ll be topping 150 or so this year. If it gets to August and he’s at 100 good innings, it won’t break my heart if they shift him to a swingman/multiple inning reliever role down the stretch, just to limit the workload a bit and get his feet wet in the majors. It didn’t hurt Michael King or Garrett Crochet.
How is Jake Bird doing? He was one of their big pickups at the break last year before getting smacked around twice in four days and then banished to AAA.
He’s doing alright this spring. They didn’t have much time to focus on him after they got him. They were expecting a finished product and he just needing to smooth out some bumps. Boone claims he is excited about him, saying his stuff is good, sweeper especially. Hope this helps
Lagrange is from a small Texas town, they got a lot of nice girls down there ,Lord have mercy!
He is from thE D.R. not LaGrange TX
sbmcintosh36@gmail.com
That went so far over your head you didnt even feel it
I know the song by ZZ top. I was just tryna be serious for some reason
Here is something you may not know. Carlos Lagranges last name is pronounced: LUH-GRAHN-HAY
Cashman biggest off-season addition Weathers has been horrible. I’m trying to stay positive but it’s very difficult
Carlos Rodon on D/L or starting season D/L is really nothing new or surprising. Just sad he’s been injured so much.
Weathers first outing was great. The next 3 were MUCH to be desired, the nicest way I can put it. He has the stuff, just needs to get it all in order. He is just so inconsistent it’s annoying