With Fernando Cruz hitting the injured record on Thursday, the Yankees wouldn’t thoughts if Ian Hamilton’s greatest self instantly appeared.
Even with Cruz and his devastating splitter sidelined for what’s anticipated to be a short while, the Bombers’ bullpen is in good condition. As of Friday morning, it ranked within the high 10 in strikeouts, ERA and fWAR.
However Hamilton has been an exception throughout the thriving group, posting a 6.14 ERA and a sky-high 18.0 BB% over his first 14.2 innings this season. The righty has allowed earned runs in 4 of his first seven appearances this month, together with his final two in opposition to Texas, outings that noticed him enable a house run apiece.
A trusted member of the Yankees’ pen the earlier two seasons when wholesome – he had a 3.10 ERA from 2023-2024 – Hamilton simply hasn’t regarded proper.
Requested what he’s seen from the reliever, Aaron Boone mentioned Hamilton has been “just a little off with his command.”
“There’s been a lot of good in there,” the supervisor continued. “Like a couple times ago, I thought he strung together two really good outings in a row. He’s still been mostly really effective with righties. But I think just a little bit wild with his command right now. He’s had some walks that have hurt him. Some lefty situations have hurt him a little bit. So I think it’s just better strike throwing, better command, and hopefully getting him in some good situations where he can be most effective.”
Boone is correct about Hamilton’s command – his BB% is the fifth-highest amongst relievers who’ve thrown a minimum of 10 innings – in addition to his platoon splits.
Righties and lefties are hitting beneath .200 in opposition to Hamilton, however lefties are slugging .522 off of him. That quantity was beneath .400 in 2023 and 2024.
Hamilton’s pattern dimension continues to be small, and his capacity to punch batters out and observe report over the previous few years are causes for optimism. Nevertheless, he nonetheless has a minor league possibility. Meaning the Yankees may demote Hamilton within the occasion of extra poor outcomes, a roster crunch and/or the necessity for a contemporary arm arises.
The crew has just a few relievers within the minors with main league expertise, together with Scott Effross and Clayton Beeter. Cruz hoped to solely be on the IL for 10 or 11 days, and the hope is Jake Cousins will finally work his means again from flexor pressure and pec points.
Different lively Yankees relievers with choices embody Brent Headrick and Yerry De los Santos.
Headrick took Cruz’s roster spot and didn’t allow a run over his first 4 main league outings this season however has already fallen sufferer to roster logistics. De los Santos posted a formidable 2.08 ERA over his first six video games.
