Yankees: Best in-house options to replace struggling starters

4. Michael King

Michael King would be a safe replacement in the back end of the Yankees rotation.

If New York is looking for one of its most experienced minor leaguers to join the rotation, Michael King is probably the safest choice. Over the course of the last four seasons, he has made 58 starts in the minors.

King won’t blow any hitters away with a devastating breaking pitch or a strong fastball, but he will pepper the strike zone and allow his defense to make plays.

You know, kind of like what Happ is supposed to be doing.

With Happ and Paxton barely able to get through the lineup once in their recent starts, Michael King has had to clean up after their messes twice so far this season.

Now, King has been hit pretty hard in his two appearances so far this year (7 IP, 6 ER). At this point, King may best be suited as a follower, or paired with another pitcher to mimic a starter’s typical workload.

However, King could be helped by a consistent role. He has been groomed as a starter since the Yankees acquired him in 2018. Placing him in the rotation could provide King the best chance to succeed in the Majors.