The New York Yankees have run into quite a few problems during the 2013 season, one of which has
overshadowed just about everything else going on in the league.
The Bronx Bombers have finished with at least 95 wins in the last four seasons, but are well short of that
pace for the remainder of 2013. According to FanGraphs, the Yankees are projected to finish with only 85 wins,
putting them short of Boston, Tampa Bay, and Baltimore. Only once since 1994 has Major League Baseball post
season not included New York pinstripes.
While the team has struggled with stars like Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Mark Teixeira, and Curtis Granderson missing
much of the season, other reasons for a mediocre team (64-59) have been overlooked.
Currently at 11-10 with a 4.83 ERA, CC Sabathia is on pace to put up his worst numbers in R, ER, ERA, HR, RBI and losses
from any of his 13 seasons. One noticeable difference from years past is the large decrease in the velocity of his
fastball, sinker changeup and curveball.
During the 2009 season, Sabathia’s pitches peaked at 98.2 MPH and averaged 93.9 MPH. In 2013, he has only gotten his
heater to a max 95.2 MPH and averages it at 90.8 MPH. While still a great pitcher in the league, Sabathia’s ERA has
increased 1.45 points from last year and has increased 1.83 points from the 2010 season.
Similar to the large differences in his velocity, Sabathia has made big changes in the consistency of his pitches.
Currently, he throws a 90-92 MPH fastball 42% of all pitches for an average of 43 each game. In one of his top
performance years (2009), he threw his fastball 60% of all pitches for an average of 63 each game.
Sabathia’s release point for all five of his pitches has dropped by about ½ foot in the last few years and he has
lost much of his rotation on breaking balls. Through 2013, his curveball has 64% less spin than the MLB average and 40%
less for his slider. He has always had less rotation than the MLB average for his curve and slider, but as years go on
he continues to lose rotation on his pitches.
With all this being said, Sabathia has still shown he can be one of the most dominant pitchers in the league when he’s
pitching well and is currently tied for the 11th most wins in the AL with 11. With a 7.62 K/9 ratio, he has pitched 9
great starts in which he gave up only 2 runs or less (Note: May 9 he only pitched 4 innings, 1 ER)
However, one large problem with his success is the inconsistency throughout the season and he is only 4-5 with 54 ER
(6.23 ERA) in 12 starts against the AL East. Considering that the Yankees have all but three series left against teams
in their division, Sabathia must improve against these teams if New York wants to be a part of the post season.
NOTE: All statistics accurate as of 8/18/13
By Danny Malter
AriBall.com
