Yankees Star Viewed as Player With Most to Prove in 2024

A New York Yankees ace is viewed as a player who has the most to prove in the 2024 MLB season.

As the New York Yankees enter the 2024 season, confidence seems to be at an all-time high. The front office added arguably the best hitter in the world in Juan Soto and a potential No. 2 in Marcus Stroman. There are still rumors that the Yankees could add another piece to help them achieve their goal of winning a World Series after one of the most disappointing seasons in recent memory in 2024.

While the confidence is high, the season could rely on two of New York's arms. Carlos Rodon and Nestor Cortes had seasons they're going to want to forget and if the Yankees want to be the team that they're hoping to be, they have to be much better this time around.

Brian Murphy of MLB.com listed players who have a lot to prove in '24, listing Cortes as a player who has something to show. 

Murphy's reasoning is valid, pointing at Cortes's 6.72 ERA and 1.71 WHIP in his first three MLB seasons. Cortes then tossed a 2.90 ERA in 2021 with 103 strikeouts in 93 innings pitched.

His best year came in 2022 when he was named an All-Star and posted an ERA of 2.44 in 158 1/3 innings pitched. Cortes finished eighth in Cy Young voting. As he developed a funky windup and kept hitters off balance, he took the league by storm. The small left-hander was a huge plus out of nowhere for the Yankees.

In 2023, the injuries piled up for Cortes and he posted a 4.97 ERA. At times, it seemed possible that the new pitch clock was bothering him, but the injuries could've very well been the reason. 

Cortes has to come out next season and prove that he can do what he did in 2022. With a healthier Rodon and the addition of Stroman, he has less stress to perform.