Will Jordan Montgomery hold on to his 2018 starting spot?

The New York Yankees have five major league starting pitchers right now but will Jordan Montgomery hold on to his 2018 starting spot?

If the 2018 season started today, the New York Yankees starting rotation would presumably be the same five pitchers it finished 2017 with; Luis Severino, Masahiro Tanaka, Sonny Gray, CC Sabathia, and Jordan Montgomery.

Those five starters, along with a loaded bullpen and a lineup that’s been improved this offseason got the Yankees just one game shy of the World Series last season.

However, the Yankees are still searching for another starting pitcher who would likely take Montgomery’s spot in the rotation. So, instead of wondering if New York will be able to add another starter this offseason, will Jordan Montgomery be able to hold on to his starting spot?

First off, let’s take a look at how Montgomery fared as a rookie in 2017.

Monty came seemingly out of nowhere to win the fifth starting spot in spring training last season, beating out Bryan Mitchell, Chad Green, and Luis Cessa. Montgomery then made 29 starts for the Yanks, throwing a career-high 155.1 innings. He went 9-7 with a 3.88 ERA and 144 strikeouts.

Aaron Judge got all of the Yankees Rookie of the Year hype, deservedly so, but Montgomery actually finished sixth in the AL ROY voting.

Yet, the Yankees are looking for outside help. They pursued Gerrit Cole before he was shipped to the Houston Astros. New York is now believed to be hot for Yu Darvish, though only at a reasonable price.

Even if the Yankees stand pat with the starting pitchers they have, there are internal options who could bump Monty from the major league mound.

Top prospects Justus Sheffield, Chance Adams, and Domingo Acevedo are all expected to be ready for the big leagues at some point in 2018.

Sheffield has yet to pitch at the Triple-A level but he was reportedly untouchable in the Cole trade talks so the Yankees are clearly high on him.

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Acevedo made two starts in Triple-A last season before going back to Double-A. He’ll likely have to prove himself at the Triple-A level before making the jump to the big leagues. Acevedo and his 103 mph fastball may also get his first taste of the MLB in the bullpen.

Adams is certainly the biggest internal threat to Montgomery’s starting spot. Adams has dominated at every minor league level, including Triple-A last season. The Yankees No. 4 prospect, according to Baseball America, went 11-5 with a 2.89 ERA in 21 starts with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 2017.

So with external and internal replacements breathing down his neck, can Montgomery keep enough distance between himself and the alternatives to hold on to a spot in the Yankees rotation?

Externally, Cole is off the table. I can’t see Darvish signing with the Yankees at the “reasonable price” of $80-90 million with other suitors on the open market. Michael Fulmer will cost too much prospect-wise, especially considering the Yankees untouchable prospects list. The Yankees and Rays won’t be able to get past their division rivalry to complete a Chris Archer deal.

Internally, Sheffield and Acevedo both likely need more seasoning in Triple-A before donning pinstripes.

So essentially, we have a Jordan Montgomery vs. Chance Adams showdown in spring training for the final spot in the starting rotation.

Injuries, of course, could change everything, possibly opening rotation spots for both Montgomery and Adams. And realistically, a full season of good health won’t happen, especially not when talking about a starting rotation.

However, assuming good health (knocking on wood as we speak), I’m giving the nod to Jordan Montgomery for the fifth starting spot to open the season.

Next: Settling the Yankees roster competitions

Monty better watch his back though. He’ll have to pitch well throughout the year as Adams, and eventually, Sheffield and Acevedo will be itching for their shots at the big leagues. And with World Series-sized expectations, Brian Cashman will be constantly looking for outside help. He may start the year in the rotation, but Montgomery does not have a tight grip on his starting spot.

What do you think, Yankees fans? Will Jordan Montgomery hold on to his starting spot by Opening Day? How about throughout the season? If he won’t, who will take his place? Let me know in the comments below!

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