David Cone impressed by Kluber, Taillon in early spring assessment

Brendan Kuty of NJ.com spoke with David Cone this week to get the retired righty’s early take on the Yankees pitching this spring.

Most reassuring to Yankees fans was Cone’s perception that Corey Kluber was, “turning it loose” last week in his debut and, “not babying it.” Kluber’s performance backed up the optics as he struck out three in two innings while using just 22 pitches, and it reaffirms the healthy narrative that him and the Yankees have been pushing since camp opened.

On Jameson Taillon, Cone noted:

“As advertised. He’s got such strong background and character check. You just trust guys like that that have been through so much. You’ve got a reason to pull for them. They do and say all the right things and you can’t help but admire somebody like him, the way he handles himself. But the stuff, too, is exciting. His curveball is for real. It’s got real depth to it. He’s got that swing-and-miss stuff that you love to see from a starting pitcher.”

On who’s got the lead in the battle for the fifth rotation spot, Cone slots Domingo German as the early front runner based on on the field track record. Putting aside his self-inflicted personal issues, German is a 28-year-old who has nearly 250 major league innings and an 18-win season under his belt. His primary challenger appears to be Devi Garcia who, despite showing positive flashes last year, would seem to be an obvious candidate for more minor league seasoning at just 21-years-old.

One name to look out for according to Cone: Luis Medina.

“Just from what I’ve seen on video, Luis Medina. To see him do what he did in winter ball and the type of stuff he had, how polished he already looks, it’s easy to get excited about somebody like him. Not just his fastball, but his feel for his secondary pitches. It looks like has a chance to have some really good secondary pitches, the pitch spin on his breaking ball and a good changeup.”

The 21-year-old righty joined the organization as a teenager and has yet to pitch above A-ball, but his high-90s fastball complemented by a low-80s curveball could position him for a fast rise through the system. He was named the Puerto Rican Winter League’s Pitcher of the Year this winter and is ranked No.11 in the Yankees top prospects list.

See the full story from Kuty:

https://twitter.com/BrendanKutyNJ/status/1368938316700262402?s=20