Projected starting rotations: AL East

The SuperBowl is over, and its time for pitchers and catchers to report to Spring Training. We start off the season by looking at the projected starting rotations for the AL East and we take a brief look at each team’s top pitching prospect.

Yankees

Projected rotation:

1. Max Fried, LHP
2. Cam Schlittler, RHP
3. Will Warren, RHP
4. Ryan Weathers, LHP
5. Luis Gil, RHP

The Yankees’ rotation should be bolstered by the return of their ace, Gerrit Cole, who is scheduled to return from Tommy John surgery in May or June. Carlos Rodon should also be back from elbow surgery in late April or May. In the meantime, the rest of the rotation, including new addition Ryan Weathers, will be asked to shoulder the load as they ease Rodon and Cole back into things.

Top Pitching Prospect: Elmer Rodriguez

Rodriguez ended last season in Triple-A. He has a chance to make the big leagues at some stage late in this season. He projects as a solid mid-rotation starter with some upside.

Red Sox

Projected rotation:

1. Garret Crochet, LHP
2. Ranger Suarez, LHP
3. Sonny Gray, RHP
4. Brayan Bello, RHP
5. Johan Oviedo, RHP

The Red Sox added some exciting arms in the offseason and have plenty of pitching depth. There will be some competition for the 5th spot in the rotation with guys like Kutter Crawford and Patrick Sandoval challenging for a rotation spot.

Top pitching prospect: Payton Tolle, LHP

Tolle is the top prospect in the Red Sox’s system. He ascended through the minors in his first year as a pro last season and made his MLB debut in an incredible season. He has an elite fastball. He will most likely start the season in Triple-A, but the Red Sox are very high on Tolle. He could be a star in the making for this rotation.

Orioles

Projected rotation:

1. Kyle Bradish, RHP
2. Trevor Rogers, LHP
3. Shane Baz, RHP
4. Chris Bassitt, RHP
5. Zach Eflin/Dean Kremer, RHP

The Orioles filled a gap by signing Chris Bassitt this week to a one-year deal. He brings a stable veteran arm that will eat much-needed innings for the Orioles. The fifth spot in the rotation is up for grabs in Spring Training. Eflin may not be ready due to coming off back surgery. Tyler Wells and Cade Povich will also have something to say about the fifth spot. A battle to watch during Spring Training.

Top pitching prospect: Trey Gibson, RHP

Trey Gibson has a prolific strikeout rate with a diversified pitch arsenal. He looks like he could make his MLB debut at some point this season and projects to be a mid-rotation starter.

Rays

Projected rotation:

1. Shane McClanahan, LHP
2. Drew Rasmussen, RHP
3. Ryan Pepiot, RHP
4. Steven Matz, LHP
5. Nick Martinez, RHP

The Rays always seem to have more viable starters than rotation spots, but several have health concerns, and this rotation looks fragile to me. The addition of Martinez brings some solidarity to a fragile-looking rotation. If healthy, they could be a potent force.

Top pitching prospect: Brody Hopkins, RHP

Brody is an exciting prospect. His fastball touches 100, and he has a power curve, too. He needs to improve control to break into the rotation. If he improves, he could be a front-of-the-rotation starter for the Rays.

Blue Jays

Projected rotation:

1. Dylan Cease, RHP
2. Kevin Gausman, RHP
3. Trey Yesavage, RHP
4. Cody Ponce, RHP
5. Jose Berrios, RHP

Berrios was projected to be the 6th starter, but Shane Bieber seems to be dealing with an injury.

Top pitching prospect: Trey Yesavage, RHP

An early candidate for American League Rookie of the Year. Yesavage is slotted in to start the season in the Blue Jays rotation and projects to eventually be their No 2 starter. He made the Blue Jays’ postseason roster last season and impressed from the get-go. He made five starts during Toronto’s World Series run. The highlight was in Game 5 of the World Series. Yesevage threw seven innings of one-run ball, striking out 12 Dodgers batters to set a World Series rookie record.