Carlos Rodón’s second season with the New York Yankees is poised to be a turning point, as the left-handed pitcher has drawn inspiration from teammate and ace Gerrit Cole. After a rocky start to his tenure in the Bronx, Rodón has embraced Cole’s composed, mechanical approach on the mound—a “robotic” focus that has helped the Yankees ace thrive under pressure and maintain consistency, regardless of external distractions.
Rodón’s first season with the Yankees in 2023 didn’t go as planned. He was sidelined by injuries early on and struggled to find his rhythm, posting uncharacteristically high numbers in key categories like ERA and walks allowed. However, as he looked to rebound in 2024, Rodón realized that a mental shift was just as important as his physical recovery. That’s where Cole’s influence came into play.
Gerrit Cole, known for his laser-sharp focus and meticulous preparation, often jokes about his ability to shut out the noise by “turning into a robot” during games. Whether it’s a sold-out stadium or the high expectations of playing in New York, Cole remains unflappable, delivering elite performances time and again. In 2023, this approach earned him his first Cy Young Award after several seasons of near-misses. For Rodón, who has faced the intense pressure of both recovering from injury and living up to a blockbuster contract, adopting this mentality seemed like a logical next step.
Rodón has spent the offseason working not just on his mechanics, but also on his mental game, adopting Cole’s unwavering, systematic approach. “Watching Gerrit, you can see how he’s able to block everything out and focus on executing,” Rodón said during spring training. “That’s something I want to bring to my game. The physical side is important, but being able to stay calm, stay composed, that’s where the real work happens.”
This mental shift could be a game-changer for Rodón, who possesses all the tools to be one of the most dominant left-handed pitchers in baseball. His high-velocity fastball, sharp slider, and competitive edge have always been there, but consistency has eluded him during his time in New York. Rodón hopes that embracing a more robotic, composed mindset will help him find the consistency that defined his career-best seasons with the Chicago White Sox and San Francisco Giants.
The Yankees, too, are banking on Rodón’s return to form. With a pitching staff headlined by Cole and complemented by a healthy, focused Rodón, the team sees itself as a serious World Series contender once again. Rodón’s success is crucial to the Yankees’ overall plan, especially in a division as competitive as the American League East, where strong rotations are often the difference between making the playoffs and falling short.
Ultimately, Rodón’s willingness to adapt and learn from Cole’s example reflects the Yankees’ culture of continuous improvement. Both pitchers are key to the team’s success, and with Rodón adopting a more composed, machine-like focus, the Yankees may have unlocked another level of their potential, setting the stage for a deep playoff run in 2025. The team hopes that this new version of Rodón, part pitcher and part “robot,” will be the missing piece to a championship puzzle.
