Comments on: Kennedy waiting for word on tests

By: Sarah

Sarah — Fri, 01 May 2009 05:05:50 +0000

Goodness – Joba and Hughes talk in the same post and in a positive tone and thoughtful insights to two great pitchers who I believe Yankee management consider 1 and 2 at the top of the roster in a few years. I love this blog!

By: Billy

Billy — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 14:30:43 +0000

“I understand the point of Joba, as a starter, not throwing max effort every pitch for a variety of reasons. But Verlander does and he is successful.”

He pitched his tail off the other night but what about all last year and his first few starts this year? Verlander has a golden arm but his ego can’t be contained in Comerica Park. Joba might be able to pick something up from his pitching but Verlander does his own thing and very uncoacheable.

By: Billy

Billy — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 14:26:56 +0000

Alan Horne is scheduled to start somewhere this weekend. I was thinking Trenton but looks like he may be with SW-B. He’s a great kid and hopefully he can rebound. We need more depth in starting pitching at the high levels of the farm. His velcotiy isn’t all the way back but he may be a bullpen candidate later in the summer to keep his innings in check.

By: Neil

Neil — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 14:16:06 +0000

Any thoughts of Phil Hughes in the bullpen are ludicrous. He went through what is considered a good hitting Deroit lineup with no concerns.
Joba should have been watching intently and just pound the strike zone tonight.

By: JohnC

JohnC — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:53:15 +0000

I agree if Bruney comes back in 2 weeks and Melancon continues to succeed then maybe this Joba to the pen talk will finally cease. Also, Coke seems to have righted himself, Marte, despite giving up the game winning homer the other night is pitching better than he has since he got here. He did strike out lefties Ortiz and Drew, which is his job. The 1 guy I can’t figure out is Veras. He can look absoluteky filthy one day, and then terrible the next.

By: Bill

Bill — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:32:15 +0000

I understand the point of Joba, as a starter, not throwing max effort every pitch for a variety of reasons. But Verlander does and he is successful. “Joba Light” just isn’t the same pitcher. His 98 MPH FB is what makes him who he is. It sets up his slider because hitters have to dial up for the FB and then can’t react to the slider. At 92 there isn’t much differential between pitches, he’s not as effective.

By: Tim

Tim — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:16:46 +0000

Pete, It would be interesting to hear David Cone’s reaction to Kennedy’s numbness. Because if I’m not mistaken Cone had numbness in his hand, went for tests, and it showed he had an aneurysm. Hears hopeing this is not the same thing.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:15:53 +0000

Hughes was great last night. A few observations:

- His fastball velocity was up and had MUCH MUCH more movement. He dialed up straight 4-seamers to 94 when needed but mostly sat around 91-93 with natural tailing movement.

- Hughes is now a 4-5 pitch pitcher. He has 2 variations on his fastball, a curve, cutter and change.

- He threw the cutter a lot but only used the change twice.

- The main reason Phil was so successful was his fastball command. The number one reason why he was the top pitching prospect in baseball was his superb fastball control. Last year we didn’t see that at all but last night he was very good. You can see how dangerous he is, hitting his spots perfectly with 91-94 mph then coming back with a nasty hook. You don’t need to throw 98 to be an ace.

If Hughes keeps pitching like last night I don’t see how he’ll ever sniff AAA again. I’m thinking that Joba will try to step up tonight and match Hughes. Joba needs to go back to being Joba or the whispers about him going to the bullpen will get louder. I don’t think he should ever go back into the pen but maybe Joba can use this as motivation.

By: Vince

Vince — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:07:06 +0000

Ramiro Pena looks like he wants to be with the big club. Some will argue that he needs at bats in AAA but when A-Rod returns he should be the one kept as the utility infielder and send out Berroa.
Call it baptism by fire but Pena can see late game at bats with the team holding a nice lead late in games. Preserve all that’s possible from A-Rod, Jeter, and on occasion, Cano.

By: bru

bru — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 12:59:51 +0000

when bruney comes back & if melancon pitches well there is no need for joba in the pen.

i know we can make room but the need will not be there.let’s wait & see what melancon can do.

we are not deep in starting pitching & hughes right now is replacing wang.