The New York Yankees are thriving in 2025 despite the absence of ace Gerrit Cole.
The team has maintained a strong position atop the American League East, and Carlos Rodon is a huge reason why.
Rodon’s 2024 season (16-9, 3.96 ERA, 175 IP, 195 K) set the stage for his 2025 dominance, and he’s employing an enhanced pitch repertoire to fool hitters.
But things in New York weren’t always sunny for Rodon, as he struggled mightily out of the gate with the Yankees in 2023 during his first season in pinstripes (3-8, 6.85 ERA, 64 K in 14 appearances, per StatMuse).
New York Post’s Jon Heyman caught up with Rodon this week and asked the left-hander about his 2023 struggles, to which Rodon replied candidly.
“What was that first year like in New York?” Heyman asked. “I mean, were you losing sleep?”
“You know, that first year was rough, and we just had (our son) Silo, which was a blessing, so I think he kind of made (things) a little easier … for me, at least … (I came) home and didn’t have to think about baseball; I’m thinking about being a dad, which was nice. … (But) it was rough … long drives home, you know, a lot of time in my head thinking about what’s wrong (and), ‘Why can’t I make this better’?
Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
“I wish I was better at the time,” Rodon continued, “but I wasn’t, and … I had to evolve.”
Rodon then explained how the rough year turned him into a more dynamic pitcher.
“If it was easy, you know, I think at this moment, I’d still be throwing (only) fastball, slider 50/50, so, you know, I wouldn’t have the extra pitches and … (the ability to) become a more complete pitcher.”
It’s interesting to hear Rodon reflect on his off-year and realize that it only made him a stronger and more versatile pitcher for the Yanks.
At 32 years old, Rodon is 7-3 this season for the Yankees with a 2.60 ERA, 90 strikeouts, and a 0.94 WHIP in 12 starts (72 2/3 innings pitched).
The two-time All-Star was the No. 3 overall pick of the Chicago White Sox in the 2014 Major League Baseball draft.
More MLB: Yankees star ‘transforming’ into prime Babe Ruth, MLB writer says
