Yankees May Have Found Another Starter for Next Season

​With the absence of Domingo German and injuries to the rotation in August, the New York Yankees have called upon reliever Michael King to step into the rotation and the 28-year-old from Rochester, New York has impressed so far.

​In three starts this year, King has 11 Strikeouts to just two earned runs and threw a season-high 61 pitches in his most recent start Tuesday against the Detroit Tigers, a 4-2 win for the bombers. In that outing, King logged 5 strikeouts with 3 hits allowed and zero earned runs.

​Manager Aaron Boone had high praise for the right-hander, claiming he has what it takes to be a regular starter in the rotation.

​“He definitely has the weapons to do it,” Boone said. “It’s just a matter of transitioning and can he then hold the stuff in extended outings?”

​King is only getting started in the five-day rotation, but has been a star in the Yankee bullpen thus far in his career. During the 2021 season he got his first shot to be a regular option out of the pen and took advantage, striking out 62 batters and only walking 24 with an ERA of 3.55.

​King took it to another level in 2022, emerging as one of the best relievers in the American League and making the Yankee bullpen a formidable force. In 51 innings, King struck out 66 batters with an ERA of 2.29 and had a strikeout to walk ratio of 4.1, all career-highs to that point. However, an elbow injury in July sidelined him for the remainder of the campaign.

​After proving to be a big time weapon for New York, King’s role has been a bit more ambiguous, acting as a short and long reliever and making three starts as well. So far, King has 87 strikeouts in a career-high 73 innings pitched and has been able to retain a 3.5 strikeout to walk ratio and 2.96 ERA. King, who started 59 games in the minors, doesn’t mind the increased involvement and has enjoyed the opportunity in the rotation.

​“It’s nice being on a five-day,” King said. “Knowing that you have five full days to really game plan for a team.”

In regards to his start against Detroit, King said he felt good but is still adjusting to life as a starter.

“I felt great,” King said. “I think I came out of the gate a little too hot because I remember, I think it was in the second inning, I realized that my velocity was a little bit down, but every time I wanted to reach back for more, I felt like I could.”

With German out indefinitely due to treatment for alcohol abuse and Carlos Rodon struggling to stay healthy, King will surely have his name called again as a starter in the final stretch of the year and will have an opportunity to earn a spot in next year’s rotation, with Frankie Montas and Luis Severino’s contracts set to expire this offseason. There is clearly belief in the clubhouse that King can earn that spot and it’s clear he is eager for the opportunity. With an opportunity to finish the season with a few more starts under his belt, King, without a doubt has a chance to be a solid starter in the big-leagues.