Because of the present situation, Plutko is our #6.
But if we were in a normal season...162 games and a 26 man roster...
Moss and Allen would be above him, and by late in the season, a healthy TMac and/or JRod could also go into next year also ahead. And then you might even throw in some kid that would be pitching in Akron right now. That's how this org works. SPs who hang around Akron and Columbus a long time don't end up making a dent in our rotation.
In 2015 Plutko was part of the the rotation in Akron...Anderson, Clevinger, Maramondo, Merritt, Plutko. Anderson ended up in Cleveland for 15 starts.
In 2016 Plutko moved to Columbus and got a cup of coffee in Cleveland. Meanwhile, Clevinger saw significant time in Cleveland.
Plutko spent the entire 2017 season in Columbus. Since then, Maramondo and Merritt have gone by the wayside, and Plutko has been passed by Civale and Plutko.
There's a reason for all of that. In an organization that values and develops young starting pitch at least as much as any other, Plutko has treaded water for years. There just isn't enough clay to form a decent pot.