In the dark about Mark Prior
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Feb 23, 2011 
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Absolutely no one in Yankees camp knows what to expect from Mark Prior. The Yankees clearly believe he could help — Prior’s one of the pitchers getting some one-on-one time with Larry Rothschild in the mornings — but it’s been five years since he pitched in the big leagues, and it’s been six years since he pitched especially well in the big leagues. In between, he’s hardly pitched. Even Prior’s not sure what kind of pitcher he is at this point.
“Everybody wants to know,” Prior said. “They’re trying to compare what I am today to maybe what I was in 2005, when I was last throwing the way everybody probably remembers me throwing. I can’t do it. I can’t compare it. I’m not the same person.”
Prior estimated that he’s thrown a total of 12 or 13 official innings since the end of 2006, and only one of those innings came in minor league baseball. The rest came in independent ball. Prior has thrown some bullpens and done a lot of rehab work, but the last time he tore a capsule in his throwing shoulder — back when he was rehabbing with the Padres — the tear couldn’t be surgically repaired, so he’s been pitching through it.
“I haven’t thrown enough to make a determination and say, I’ve changed (in a certain way),” Prior said. “Right now my philosophy is pretty much the same as it’s always been: Locate the fastball and try to pitch off of it. What I don’t know is, what is ultimately my fastball? Is it 88 to 91 that it was last year, or is it going to be a little bit more? If it is 88 to 91, that’s not a big deal. It’s just, you have to execute your location that much better and just learn to kind of pitch off it.”
Prior said he was happy with his first bullpen with Larry Rothschild, and he was happy with the way yesterday’s batting practice went. In between, the bullpens have been “OK.” He feels like he’s been able to spot his fastball pretty well, and that’s the most important thing at this point.
“I definitely think the stuff is capable, and I definitely think it’s there,” he said. “Is it what it used to be? Probably not. It’s kind of like apples and oranges, but I definitely think it’s good enough to get guys out, absolutely.”
Associated Press photo of Prior
Gotta like his Prior experience….
Bojo, I think I can only count mine in terms of the ones I ask since mine are specifically from the backs of those cards.
I suspect that it his fastball is 88 to 91 in the bullpen, that he won’t make the club. Too many good young arms to compete against.
Skylar Grey’s commercial for Carmelo Anthony – “I’m Coming Home”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-s8d7rDyJQ
Trisha–
Fair enough. Just so everyone knows what the guidelines are. We had a couple of good quizes today, but people should know those aren’t the official questions…just warm ups.
“Gotta like his Prior experience….”
Nice. I am pulling for him….would be a nice comeback story.
It’s easy to root for Mark Prior making it all the way back. If he could turn out to be this year’s version of Kerry Wood, it will be good for him and the Yankees.
Larry Rothschild will be the best judge of how Prior is progressing.
Blake–
It would be…I just don’t think he beats out Joba, DRob, or Mitre… Perhaps he can strengthen his arm at SWB and come back later in year.
Bojo, I love the quizzitos. I know I can’t be here a lot during the day so I have them set for 10 in the morning and 8 at night, at least the ones I’m doing.
Pat M. ? are you saying Brackman will be made into a reliever? Since he has only been pitching for a relatively short time (couple of years), and last year there were concerns over his delivery/mechanics ? would only having to repeat his delivery one inning at a time be a factor? Help me here?.
GB7 ? Bob Feller and Ted Williams ? wow!
In regards to Montero ? I would ask that same question, what?s going on with Martin and Cervelli? I wonder more if Cervelli is being asked as part of a package to get a starting pitcher. The only other reason why Montero?s being talked up is to encourage him. Which isn?t a bad idea, but, you have to ask the question ? what else is going on?
Pretty tough also to count on a guy who has a tear in his shoulder…can’t really release Mitre in favor of him. It seems like he is “living on borrowed time.”
It was nice of the Yankees to extend an ST invite to their former pick, but I think there are too many unknowns with Prior for him to make the team. How long will the shoulder hold up? Can he spot the fastball? What about complementary pitches? How many days in a row can he or can’t he pitch? Will all that, he’ll probably get relegated to Scranton as even the kids are a more known quantity.
Trisha–it is a lot of fun! How many cards are there? Are they all Yankee questions?
Before we give up Cervelli in a trade, I for one would like to see how much Cano’s batting instructions helped him. Reports are that he is in better shape, more focused and driven, and is driving the ball in BP. I don’t count him out yet as a competitor for job. He may be ready to take a significant step up.
Bojo, DaSaint007 – yes, there are a ton of questions about Prior. He has them, himself. But, spring time is a time of hope. It is a great story. He must really love baseball.
Joe from Long Island February 23rd, 2011 at 8:40 pm
Pat M. – are you saying Brackman will be made into a reliever? Since he has only been pitching for a relatively short time (couple of years), and last year there were concerns over his delivery/mechanics – would only having to repeat his delivery one inning at a time be a factor? Help me here….
GB7 – Bob Feller and Ted Williams – wow!
In regards to Montero – I would ask that same question, what’s going on with Martin and Cervelli? I wonder more if Cervelli is being asked as part of a package to get a starting pitcher. The only other reason why Montero’s being talked up is to encourage him. Which isn’t a bad idea, but, you have to ask the question – what else is going on?
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Joe, those visits by Feller to the American Legion posts were his passion. Very big in promoting Legion ball. I guess when he scheduled this on visit, Williams must have been visiting Feller. Both big on veterans and the military…..both were superpatriots. I’m hurt that Williams didn’t ask me if I smelled burning wood when I fouled off a pitch.
GreenBeret7 February 23rd, 2011 at 8:48 pm
Any time, Trisha. Looking forward to tomorrow’s contests. I’m in a slump.
Bojo there appear to be about 89 player cards, 3 or 4 Stadium event cards, and 3 or 4 manager cards. There are multiples of certain players (making the total higher than 89). I guess some of these are for trading or giving away.
GB, you could never be in a slump! Your slump beats most peoples’ hot streaks!
I am going to be forced to go with some contemporary players, just because they are part of the deck of cards I have!
Trisha, where did you get the cards? Is it just an area thing or are they give-away cards in a promotion? They sound like something to go with my New York Yankee Monopoly Game.
Thanks for the quiz, Trisha. I realize of course it couldn’t have been Cano b/c one of my arguments with others that year when they were dissing his lack of RBI’s was that he would easily have had 100 rbi’s if he weren’t often batting 7th. So, duh. But that BA was just too much of a trigger not to jump at Cano for the answer.
Have followed Prior’s career, like him, but little, if any chance he makes it.
ISTM Prior has no chance to make the team out of spring training. However, if he accepts an assignment to AAA and if he can actually pitch, then he might have a chance later in the season. Would he be offered a minor league position? Would he accept one? I guess we’ll see.
YankeeFem, I knew Cano hit .342, one point behind Jeter for third in the batting race. I forgot that he missed 6+ weeks with a groin pull.
Joe from LI,
Brackman will be given every chance to be a starter. His stuff is that good, and sounds like he is doing well with both the slider (or whatever, they are calling that newly integrated 3rd pitch. I think I read somewhere some people, who are not Nardi, are referring to it as a cutter) and the evolving changeup. However, he no doubt may temporarily come out of the pen to help us down the road. I can’t see them caving on him as a SP unless he fails at it long term. JMO.
I’m rooting for this guy, big time. I always find it a shame when great athletes are prevented by injury from living up to their potential
yf, that was a great guess! I am trying to make the questions a little hard to answer because it’s more fun that way – at least for me, ha ha. Believe me, if I didn’t have the cheat notes in front of me, I would have to live on Google for most of these. But I am loving what I am learning about the players who make up the history of our illustrous team. Damn the Yankees seem to have been born with the cachet!
Prior has zero chance of even coming close to making the team.
Barring something unusual, Mariano, Soriano, Robertson, Joba, Logan, Feliciano and Mitre is your pen.
Melo has 14 points at the half; leading scorer for the Knicks.
As long as he doesn’t have any priors.
Mark that down as a possibility.
GB, one of my brothers gave it to me as part of my Christmas present, I’m pretty sure it was the Christmas before this one. It just came as a beautiful pack of cards called Yankee Stadium Legacy. The individual cards are a gorgeous presentation.
This is what is on the back of the top card: Congratulations! You have received a trading card with Game-Used MLB memorabilia. The memorabilia has been certified to us as having been used in an official MLB game. We hope you enjoy this piece of MLB history, as we continue to keep you as close as you can get. Enjoy your memorabilia card.
Richard P. McWilliam The Upper Deck Company
****************
Okay, I think I get it. The facts on the back of the cards are certified to have been from official MLB games. Does that sound right?
In any event, they are beautifully-made cards, strong, shiny coated, and done in Yankee colors.
The fronts of the cards have the player picture. If I get the energy I may try to can the front of the card du jour and link to the picture on the card (as well as linking to the images that I find online.)
“White Sox left-hander Mark Buehrle said he would be willing to approve a trade, depending on the circumstances, if the South Siders were looking to deal him, writes Scott Merkin of MLB.com.”
The buzz in the Garden at least through the tv was amazing; I can’t remember when I heard it that loud there.
GB, this is it.
http://sports.upperdeck.com/ba.....eestadium/
# Betsy February 23rd, 2011 at 9:16 pm
The buzz in the Garden at least through the tv was amazing; I can’t remember when I heard it that loud there.
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It’s insane
I see the Mark Prior jokes are on deck tonight
Well I think I will treat myself to DVRd Survivor and then will watch Top Chef once that has been recorded. (I’m spoiled now so wait ’til the program has recorded so I can blow by commercials!) Soon enough my television time will be entirely devoted to – YANKEE BASEBALL!!!
See you in the a.m. for tomorrow’s first QOTD.
“Mark my words, I’m in the best shape of my life!”
Trisha sounds like a great gift for a Yankee fan. I enjoy my Yankee Monopoly game. nobody to play it with but still fun to own. Boardwalk is NYYs Parkplace is some team from Mass.
Trisha, there’s a couple of sites that sell board games including different yankee versions of monopoly, Clue and if you play chess, they have yankees vs Red Sox chess pieces.
Yankeefeminista,
That sounds like fun! I’d really like to go to Opening Night for the SI Yankees, but I imagine that pitching and any breakthrough players will help determine the other games I attend.
Feel free to touch base about the games you’ll be attending. Post to me here or you’re welcome to ask Chad for my e-mail address if you’re more comfortable with that.
New yankee shortstop.
http://blogs.thetimes-tribune.com/yankees/?p=7754
Pinstripe Alley: How much has Jesus Montero really improved at catcher since last year? Once and for all, can/will he be an adequate everyday major league catcher? Why do analysts criticize Montero’s size (6’4″, 225) as being too big for a catcher, yet fail to mention the likes of Mauer (6’5″, 230) and Wieters (6’5″, 225), who are above-average ML catchers?
Frankie Piliere: Montero has improved a lot. I’ve said it over and over again that there is a huge difference between not being a good defender and being incapable of playing the position. Montero will never be more than an adequate defensive player. But, I’ve been lucky enough to see him at several different points in time in the last couple years. And, there’s definite improvement. Will he frustrate your readers at times as an everyday catcher? I bet he will. He’s a bit stiff at times, and given his size he’s a little slow. But there is more than enough arm and receiving skills to play the position. In time he can be adequate.
PA: If you were to invest in one of Manny Banuelos, Dellin Betances or Andrew Brackman to head your rotation for the next 8-10 years, who would it be and why?
FP: I get this question a lot, and the more I answer it the more confident I am. I’d invest in Banuelos. I think ultimately Betances’ ceiling is a bit higher because of his size and a little better velocity. But Banuelos is the best mix of present stuff, command, polish, and of course he’s left-handed. I was smitten with Banuelos in 2009, when he was lived around 90-91, touching 92-93 with the fastball. Now that the velocity has spiked it’s just the icing on the cake. Aside from being over six-feet tall, I’m really not sure what else you could want in a pitcher. I think Betances could very easily be a frontline starter as well, but [with] just a little more risk than Banuelos.
pretty interesting stuff from Piliere….more at http://www.pinstripealley.com/.....t-part-one
I’m looking forward to TY opening day. Its already on my calendar and luckily its a friday, or saturday and not a day that I have class cause then I’d be in a quandary. My season tickets are being bought on Friday. Can’t wait until I can go pick them up.
Blake, Piliere is saying what we’ve said all along about Montero…he’s not that bad and he’s getting better.
I wonder if Yadil Mujica listed age of 26 is fairly legit.
GB,
yup, he doesn’t have to be Johnny Bench to play there. Just has to be acceptable in order to give the Yankees an advantage because of the bat.
Montero will be better than Piazza defensively. If he’s even close offensively, he’s golden.
HUGE shot by Melo – MSG is rocking!
Just saw the interview with Pedroia and Youk on MLBnetwork….Pedroia looked like he just came off the set of Grease….stone wash jeans, white tee shirt, and slicked back hair….
Melo really is a more powerful version of Bernard King.
Chants of Melo all around, lol
27 points and a double-double in Carmello’s first game…not too bad.
Billups was impressive as well.
Awesome game. Billups is so much better than Felton. That was a huge part of the trade.
Could tell Melo and Bill were amped up with their shooting being off.
They’ll only get better – these guys had zero practice time together…….I would have killed to have been there tonight. I’m sure both Melo and Billups were both amped and exhausted, but they both came through.
Melo’s presser coming up soon……
Doulas had 23…
Douglas….
It will be interesting to see what Billups can teach Toney D. Billups came out of college and early in his career as more of a natural scorer than facilitator like TD did and is.
Meanwhile, they need a big. If they can board, they can beat good teams.
Yankees let Andrew Sisco go. Thought he’d get a more of a look than that.
Nice win by the Knicks tonight
No one cares about the Knicks and Melo the want to be superstar he isn’t