Deivi Garcia and Clarke Schmidt make up two of the Yankees top pitching prospects. Add 24-year-old Mike King to the mix and New York has an abundance of young, quality pitchers within it system. Yankees manager Aaron Boone feels the cupboard from a pitching standpoint is "very full."
Garcia, Schmidt and King are set to battle for a spot on the Yankees rotation. Luis Severino was ruled out for the entire 2020 season as he undergoes Tommy John surgery and James Paxton will miss the first few weeks due to back surgery, leaving the Yankees to fill the void in the rotation. Boone told WFAN's Joe Benigno and Evan Roberts he wouldn't risk the development of his young pitchers if they weren't ready.
"We're not going to rush anyone based on a need we have right out of the gate," Boone said. "Those three guys that you mentioned are guys that we really value from a long-term standpoint and think they have excellent chances to have long careers in the major leagues. You've got to balance that between, 'ok, is this a guy that's ready we think in our mind?' If that's the case, so be it but we're not just going to halt their development to a degree to fill a short-term need."
The Yankees manager wouldn't rule out any of the prospects making the team right out of spring training. He believes the future is bright for the organization's budding stars.
"One of the things that's been most exciting to me about this camp is I feel like our pitchers — call it 15-30 on the depth chart — it's that next wave of guys we've been waiting on," Boone said. "The talent level is much higher than it's probably been in the last couple of years because some of these younger guys we've been hearing about at the lower levels are either on the 40-man (roster) or here in a position now to be in camp to varying degrees perhaps ready to make a contribution early or at some point in the season. Other guys you're still dreaming on that kind of have that upside that you're excited about."
Boone praised prized free-agent signing Gerrit Cole, as well. Cole struck out two batters in his Yankees exhibition debut on Monday, surrendering zero runs. Cole signed a massive nine-year, $324 million contract in December and Boone isn't surprised with what he's seen through the first weeks.
"He's been everything as advertised," Boone said. "We did a lot of homework on him during the offseason. ... Clearly one of if not the best pitcher in the sport right but we also knew we were getting a special person in the makeup and the intangible things which I think ultimately led to the Steinbrenner family being willing to make such a commitment.
"You're not just betting on talent but you're betting on talent and the person," Boone added. "The early days here, he's been impactful, he's been engaging. I really do feel like not only are we going to be great on the days he pitches, but I do feel like he's going to have a big impact on a room."
Click the audio player to listen to Boone's interview in its entirety
