Heading into the season, one of the biggest question marks in the rotation was last year’s big free-agent signing Carlos Rodon. This was further magnified due to his lackluster spring training outings. Yankee fans remember that Rodon’s first season in the Bronx was a disaster. Rodon’s 2023 season was full of injuries, bad performances, and an in-game incident involving pitching coach Matt Blake. However, Carlos Rodon has so far looked like the $162 million pitcher the Yankees signed last year.
The Yankees Signed Carlos Rodon To A Big Contract
Embed from Getty ImagesLast offseason, the Yankees signed free agent starting pitcher Carlos Rodon to a six-year $162 million deal. He was considered to be one of the best available free agents. The 2022 season saw Rodon finish 14-8 with an ERA of 2.88, 237 strikeouts, and a 1.028 WHIP. His 12 strikeouts per nine innings was an MLB best. He would be an all-star for the second season in a row and finish sixth in the NL Cy Young award voting.
A Disastrous 2023 Season
Embed from Getty ImagesRodon’s Yankee career began with him having to be placed on the injured list with a muscle strain in his forearm. His 2023 season debut would be further delayed by a back injury. The then 30-year-old wouldn’t make his first start with the Yankees until July of that season. Rodon’s first season in the Bronx ended up being the worst year of his career. He would go 3-8 with an ERA of 6.85, 64 strikeouts, and a 1.446 WHIP. In the 14 starts he made that season, Rodon surrendered at least one home run in all but two of them. In his final start of 2023, he didn’t make it through the first inning giving up eight runs and not getting an out. Making matters worse, Rodon visibly turned his back on pitching coach Matt Blake. He would later apologize for the incident. Rodon’s first season as a Yankee was clearly one to forget.
Rodon Was Surrounded By Question Marks In The Spring
Embed from Getty ImagesCarlos Rodon arrived at spring training having lost weight. Heading into the season, New York’s rotation was surrounded by question marks. A lot of questions had to do with Carlos Rodon and whether he could bounce back from his awful 2023 season. Some were already considering him a free-agent bust. The concerns about Rodon were further realized after Gerrit Cole was placed on the injured list. The negative noise surrounding Rodon only grew after his lackluster spring training outings. However, a starter’s outings during spring training games don’t determine a season.
A Return To Dominance
So far this season, Carlos Rodon has looked like the pitcher the Yankees signed for $162 million. The 31-year-old starter has helped fill the void left by the absence of Gerrit Cole. He is currently 2-1 with an ERA of 2.48, 30 strikeouts, and a 1.19 WHIP. He has also only surrendered three home runs. Before his last start against the Milwaukee Brewers, Rodon hadn’t surrendered a home run since April 3rd. In six appearances so far this season, three of them have been quality starts.
Key To His Success: More Pitches
The big key to Carlos Rodon’s resurgence in 2024 has been him diversifying his arsenal. For most of his career up to this point, Rodon has been primarily a two-pitch pitcher using a fastball and slider. He would only throw his curveball and changeup occasionally. However, this season, Rodon has added a cutter to his pitch mix. He now throws the cutter almost as much as his slider this year. As for his slider, Rodon has dropped its usage from 28.9% last season to just 17.7% this year. We have even seen an uptick in his usage of the changeup as well. The changes he made before the season are so far paying dividends for the Yankees.
Rodon’s Is Surpassing Expectations
Embed from Getty ImagesThe resurgence of Carlos Rodon has been a breath of fresh air for both the Yankees and their fans. Rodon’s success so far in 2024 is a big reason why the Yankees are off to a fantastic start. It’s also why the Yankees pitching staff has done so well despite Cole’s absence. He has done a great job at silencing his detractors and sending the boo-birds away. If Rodon keeps pitching well when Gerrit Cole returns, the Yankees rotation could be much more deadly.
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