If I were to have told you in March that Domingo German would be one of the best pitchers in the league a week into May, you would have claimed I was out of my mind. Well, it’s May 6th and the right-hander is 6-1 with a 2.35 ERA in seven starts.
It all started March 5 when Luis Severino was scratched from his spring start with shoulder discomfort — which would later be revealed to be inflammation, landing him on the IL. Severino’s injury troubles, which now will have him sidelined through the All-Star break, have allowed German to shine in the Yankees’ rotation.
Last year, German was borderline abysmal. In 21 games, he posted a brutal 5.57 ERA, going 2-6 in a lackluster season as the Yankees’ 6th starter. However, his 2018 wasn’t ALL horrible as he did put up a 10.72 K/9 in 85.2 innings — showing he had the ability to whiff a significant amount of bats.
Now, in 2019, the 26-year-old is pitching like an ace. An ace the Yankees desperately needed.
With Severino and Paxton on the IL and Tanaka’s inconsistencies, German has established himself as the legitimate ace of this staff for the time being. As a replacement for Severino, the Yankees couldn’t have struck gold any larger — as shown in the image below (courtesy of the YES Network).
Take a look at that. Domingo German has put up a better start to the season than Luis Severino did through his first six starts of the year in what was his first season as the club’s officially named ace. Not to mention German ranks among baseball’s best statistically.
Wins: Tied for 1st (6)
ERA: 9th (2.35)
WHIP: Tied for 4th (0.89)
BAA: 1st (.158)
The stats speak for themselves. Domingo German has been EXACTLY what the Yankees needed and there’s more to be excited about than just this season. The Yankees very well may have found themselves another ace to slot in for years to come alongside fellow Dominican Luis Severino.