Yankees Domingo German could help club’s Postseason run

After a disappointing conclusion to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s season, the Yankees officially promoted pitchers Domingo German and Justus Sheffield on Tuesday.

Though Justus Sheffield is the name Yankees fans have been patiently waiting to catch a glimpse of in the Bronx, it’s Domingo German, and his 13 big league starts this season that could have an immediate impact on the Yanks’ Postseason run.

Last time we saw the 26-year-old was on July 20 versus the Mets. On that day, the right-hander lasted only 3.2 innings while allowing four earned runs on five hits, striking out three and walking two after just 71 pitches.

The eventual loss extended a winless stretch that spanned over a month and ballooned German’s ERA to 5.68 — to go along with a 2-6 record, 1.32 WHIP, .240 BAA and 95:32 K:BB ratio across 82.1 innings.

Watching German, who at times, would go from being unable to find the strike zone to immediately striking out the next handful of batters, was maddening.

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He’d consistently give up early runs, causing the offense to play catchup while putting pressure on himself — that often was insurmountable.

That’s why, until German develops more consistency in his four-pitch repertoire (four-seam 95-97 mph fastball, sinker, changeup, curve), he is nothing more than a long-reliever.

However, after trading away Adam Warren, Chad Green being up and down this season, Dellin Betances struggling as of late and Aroldis Chapman still working his way back from knee tendinitis, there may be room in the Postseason bullpen for a pitcher with German’s skillset.

While talent doesn’t always translate to effectiveness (just look at his numbers this season, especially in the minors), German has thrown 29.2 innings out of the major league ‘pen dating back to last season.

During that time, he’s held the opposition to a .223/.323/.356 slash line with an 11.2 K/9. Although he still walks way too many men (16), his 3.34 ERA, strikeout rate and BAA are encouraging to the point of potentially choosing German over Sonny Gray or Lance Lynn out of the bullpen in a short series.

In relief, one inning at a time, German could let his dazzling high-90s fastball/sinker combination loose, while focusing on the curveball (his out-pitch), that has held the opposition to a .184 BAA this season. As a reliever, German could also drop his seemingly ineffective changeup which has been lambasted for a slugging percentage of .544.

With three above-average pitches, now unafraid of pitch counts or pacing himself, German could potentially dominate out of the bullpen. Of course, you’d love to enter the Postseason with more of a sure thing, but if this year has taught us anything, it’s that these Yankees are anything but.

Maybe doing the unexpected, like carrying Domingo German on the Postseason roster is just what the Yanks need to get them over the hump.