GET EXCITED FOR OUR YOUNG YANKEE STARTERS!

I know... I'm fully aware that fellow BYB writer Dan Lucia is doing an incredible series on the future of the New York Yankees.  If you don't know, read:

YANKEE PROSPECT WATCH: MONTGOMERY & FINLEY

YANKEE PROSPECT WATCH: CLARKIN & TORRENS

I just needed to write this though and why not, right? 

Look, I am at the point where I am excited to see what we have for starting pitching with some of our younger minor leaguers eventually and hopefully getting to the Bigs. 

(Oct. 12, 2016 - Source: Rob Carr/Getty Images North America)

Bottom line, I wouldn’t spend the money on Rich Hill right now given his age and injury history even though if healthy he could likely be an ace for us next year. 

The Yankees really have a treasure trove of minor league starters that folks aren't talking about enough. I honestly would love to see one or two of them join the starting rotation next season and let’s see what they can do... you know what I mean? 

(Sept. 20, 2016 - Source: Joseph Garnett Jr./Getty Images North America)

We will already have Tanaka, Sabathia and Pineda as starters (assuming Pineda isn't traded), but that leaves two spots open. One of my important beliefs is that Yanks should use Luis Severino out of the bullpen. BYB Chief Robert Casey feels the same way.  We believe that putting him back in the starting rotation would be foolish. He's too valuable as a reliever. 

(Aug. 20, 2016 - Source: Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images North America)

Now, to be honest, I'm not sure Luis Cessa, Chad Green or Brian Mitchell are the answer either, but they may deserve a shot. But look, I'm very excited about the prospect of using one of more of the young guys below as a starter in 2017, or even in 2018. Check this out: 

(Source: MiLB.com)

Jordan Montgomery: In 25 starts this year for AA and AAA, this lefty was 14-5 this season with a 2.13 ERA with 134 Ks in 139 IP. After his promotion to Scranton (AAA) he had 6 starts and was 5-1 with a 0.97 ERA. He is about to turn 24 years old. Let’s give him a shot.

(Source: MiLB.com)

Dietrich Enns: This 25 year old lefty starter was 14-4 with a 1.73 ERA this year at AA and AAA with 124 Ks in 134 IP. After being promoted to AAA with a 1.92 ERA, he put up a 1.52 ERA in 14 starts at Scranton.

Photo Credit: AP

James Kaprielian: This guy probably needs more time in the minors after being injured most of 2016. But he was our 1st round pick (16th overall pick) in the 2015 draft after a dominant college career at UCLA.

Chance Adams: Perhaps a bit behind Montgomery and Enns in his development, we shouldn’t forget about Adams. He is only 22 and was a 5th round pick in 2015, but had a great year in 2016 going 13-1 with a 2.33 ERA in 24 starts at A and AA!!! Adams struck out 144 in 127 IP. Most impressive is that like Enns, he was more productive after his promotion. After going 5-0 with a 2.65 ERA at Tampa, he was promoted to Trenton and went 8-1 with a 2.05 ERA in 12 starts. Adams might need 1 year at AAA, but he may not be far from helping the Yanks rotation either.

Staten Island Advance

Domingo Acevedo: This 22-year old signed out of the Dominican Republic hit 103 on the gun last summer and consistently throws 96-100 as a starter. IN 18 starts last year, he was 5-4 with a 2.61 ERA and 102 Ks in 93 IP. He is currently listed as the Yanks #8 overall prospect. Scouts say he has an amazing change up as well, but needs some time to work on his slider and curve. But he is coming!

These are guys that the Yankees drafted, so it doesn’t even include some of the great young arms that they got in the trades for Chapman, Miller, Beltran and McCann.  Think about this, we have Justus Sheffield (Miller trade), Dillon Tate (Beltran trade) and Albert Abreu (McCann trade). But the 5 guys I mention above were all guys we had without even making any of the trades. Think about that. I am very excited about these guys and want them to get their shot! To be honest, I wouldn’t sign any free agent starting pitchers. 

(Photo Credit: Gregg Slaboda- Trentonian File)

Honestly, Montgomery and Enns are probably the only two of this group that the Yanks should consider for the 2017 starting rotation at the outset of the season, but the others are not far away, maybe later in the season additions, maybe 2018 for sure.

We also have an exciting stable of relief pitchers that can help in 2017, but I will save that for my next submission. 

Anyway, keep an eye on these guys though. It's gonna be a lot of fun!

--Douglas Solomon 

BYB Guest Writer