Jonathan Loaisiga

Durability has been Loaisiga's biggest obstacle throughout his career, with 2021 representing the only season in which he's logged more than 48 innings. The 29-year-old dealt with persistent elbow issues last year that limited him to only 17.2 innings across 17 appearances. He dealt with right elbow inflammation in early April, then had surgery a month later to remove a bone spur from the elbow. After an extended absence, the right-hander returned for a month of action, only to return back to the list with elbow inflammation. Loaisiga was never known for his strikeout prowess, but only struck out six batters last season for a career-low 8.7 percent strikeout rate. In addition, ending the season with an elbow injury that gave him trouble all season doesn't inspire confidence in his 2024 prospects.

For the third year in a row, Loaisiga had one of the top hard hit rates (29.9%) allowed and average exit velocity (83.9 mph) allowed in the league. He threw his 98 mph sinker at a career-high 63% clip and continued to produce plenty of groundballs (59.6%) that would have been a top-10 rate among relievers if he pitched enough innings (48) to qualify. However, a bout with shoulder discomfort sidelined Loaisiga for nearly two months. The right-hander was much better upon his return, though, compiling a 2.59 ERA and 1.15 WHIP over 31.1 innings the rest of the season, compared to a 7.02 ERA prior to the injury. Loaisiga was a workhorse for the Yankees in the playoffs and figures to continue his role as one of the primary setup men to whomever closes in New York. His save opportunities may be limited, however, since his strikeout (18.2%) and walk (9.4%) rates aren't exactly suited for the ninth-inning.

Loaisiga posted a stellar 2.17 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in 2021, his first season as a full-time reliever. Though he continued to showcase a three-pitch mix, Loaisiga lessened his fastball usage in favor of his sinker, with the result being a pedestrian 24.4 K%, but tremendous 60.9 GB% and 0.4 HR/9 marks. Due to his strong results and ability to keep the ball in the yard, the Yankees trusted Loaisiga in increasingly high-leverage situations, and he recorded five saves and 17 holds. Looking forward to 2022, Aroldis Chapman should remain locked into the closer role in New York, though he's had a stint on the injured list in all but one season since 2017. Loaisiga could see save chances if Chapman were to be absent again for any portion of 2022. His ability to pitch multi-inning stints -- 27 of his 57 appearances were for multiple innings in 2021 -- should give him the chance to rack up extra strikeouts and win opportunities even if he doesn't factor into the saves picture.

Loaisiga has been up and down from the minors and the injured list for New York while serving as a spot starter/long reliever for the past three seasons. In that time, he has produced a serviceable strikeout rate, but his ratios have been subpar due to issues with walks when he is not striking guys out. He works mid-to-upper 90s with his fastball and can throw four different pitches to both righties and lefties, but perhaps a successful path forward would be to narrow down those pitches by choosing a fastball to pair with the curve and change. Seven of his nine career homers allowed have come off the fastball, and six of those off the four-seamer. Given where he must pitch his home games, not to mention the overall run environments of the AL East, perhaps accentuating his sinker could lead to improved results. Look for more swing-role work in 2021.

Loaisiga began 2019 as the Yankees' fifth starter but pitched only two short outings before being sent down to the minors. He was then shuttled between the International League and the big club before an injury to James Paxton appeared to open the door for Loaisiga to string together a few big-league starts. Instead, the right-hander landed on the injured list himself with a strained right rotator cuff and was used as a reliever and opener when he returned to the Yankees over three months later. Loaisiga ended the regular season with a subpar 4.55 ERA over 31.2 innings, though he demonstrated a solid swing-and-miss arsenal, registering a 14.2% swinging-strike rate and 26.6 K%. The 25-year-old's fastball touches 97 mph and his spin rate of 2,424 rpm is far above average, but he may be best suited to a relief role after missing significant time with shoulder injuries each of the last two seasons.

What Loaisiga brings to the table in terms of skills is impressive, but it's tough to overlook the fact that he's now 24 and has never thrown more than 80.2 innings in a season. He appeared to be making a seamless transition to the big leagues despite skipping the Triple-A level, posting a 1.93 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 18:8 K:BB in his first three starts with the Yankees after making the jump from Double-A Trenton. However, after his June 2 outing, Loaisiga was optioned and quickly diagnosed with right shoulder inflammation. He was shut down from throwing for close to a month, and by the time he was cleared to start a rehab assignment in mid-August, there wasn't enough time for him to build back up as a starter. It's easy to see the talent when Loaisiga is on the field as he throws 96 mph and has two other potential plus offerings (slider and changeup) and solid command, but without the innings, it's impossible to get too excited.