So far, so good for Prior
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Feb 28, 2011 
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Mark Prior woke up nervous this morning.
“Normal nerves I used to get when I was pitching,” he said.
The nerves subsided during batting practice, and when he came in to pitch the fifth inning — the inning he knew would be his — he went through a 1-2-3 inning with two routine pop ups and a strikeout. The strikeout came on the split finger he’s been working on this spring.
“Breaking ball was terrible, but I guess it’s understandable,” he said. “I haven’t thrown them a lot, I’ve been mostly trying to get comfortable with the split finger. The one that I struck out the second guy with, I thought was pretty good. I had a good feel for that. Breaking ball is something that, for me, always took time and it took me facing hitters to kind of get that release point, before it kind of gets locked in.”
More important right now, Prior said, was his fastball command. He doesn’t know how hard he was throwing — “Either they weren’t seeing it well out of my hands, or it was getting on them,” he said — but he was happy with the way he located.
Kind of like Derek Jeter’s altered mechanics, Prior’s return to pitching is going to take more than one or two innings. It’s a process that will probably include a stop in the minor leagues before he’s ready to return to the Majors for the first time since 2006.
“I understand what I signed up for,” Prior said. “I understand the situation here, my situation. I know I haven’t pitched, I mean, I haven’t really pitched since 2005. Even though I pitched in 2006, it wasn’t really pitching, it was surviving. Or trying to. I understand that just because you go out and throw one inning, that’s not going to make or break what they see and what I feel. I understand that I need to get famliar with the process.
“I think the learning curve, or the re-whatever curve, could be fast. But it’s just a matter of going out there and getting some innings under my belt.”
Here’s Prior after today’s scoreless inning.
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Associated Press photo of Prior throwing live batting practice last week
My gut T_T
Prior instead of Banuelos!! Sacrilege!
^This.
Prior as a project is fine, considering what he once was. Yea I hope a Manny exclusive is comin.
J. Alfred Prufrock February 28th, 2011 at 8:03 pm
yankeefeminista February 28th, 2011 at 7:51 pm
J. Alfred Prufrock February 28th, 2011 at 7:42 pm
Prufrock, ever eaten at Takuma?
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Have not. Where is it? NJ or NYC? We’re always looking for new haunts. Sounds Japanese?
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Madison, NJ. Very authentic Japanese. Decidedly not Japanese-American hybrid. Inspired food; magical, personable chef from Osaka. And he’s *friendly*!!
Not like your dude from Ajihei (still haven’t been there, but will… maybe on the way back from Trenton one of these “thundering” day games )
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Like I said, he’s never turned on us, but there’s always next time . He’s got a really morose look when he’s chopping the sushi, though. We ought to meet up at a Trenton game. You can pencil me in for any and all home starts for Betances and Banuelos (I assume ABrack goes to AAA or NY).
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Sounds good; we will talk. I usually sit about 5 rows up from the plate. Should be there on April 14th. That is my plan; depending on Bronx sched (a juggling act) and who is pitching. Like you I plan to see B&B. Also Brackman if at AAA will likely send me to LHV (PigIrons) for SWB’s opener.
If Prior doesn’t make the team, will he go to AAA? I’d like to see him succeed here…or anywhere
Ticket Strips for 2011 MLB All-Star Events On Sale to the Public March 1
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/press_.....8;c_id=mlb
JAP-
I believe you referred to Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle in the previous thread ?
Just curious. Are you a Physicist ?
Please excuse the reference if I was wrong.
Betsy, I’d like to think that he’d be willing tonaccept going down to AAA just so he can continue his development/comeback. It’s been a really long time for him, I can’t see why he wouldn’t be willing to invest at least another month or two.
I want to see him make it. Especially if it’s for us.
Yankeefem and J Alfred,
May I ask what mode of transportation you take to Trenton for the games? I’ve been researching and it looks like driving is the way to go. I was hoping to use public transportation from Queens, but it looks like that would be a real quagmire.
I don’t know if this was put on–good story on Banuelos. I like his remark about his curveball. Way to go, ManBan. That is the pitch that he needs to consistently command.
http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com.....8;c_id=nyy
I leave the blog for months and come back to the same nonsense by the same culprits.
Trisha you are awesome don’t let some of these fools upset you. I understand what you mean about the blog. I do feel like I know some of you guys, at least I have a general feel for your personalities and frankly would love to put a face to a name on some of you guys.
Betsy…. you’re what I would describe as half gnat, quarter plague, and quarter idiot. Sorry, that’s just how I feel. Kudos to you that you feel the need to take your real life frustrations out on total strangers on a message board. The fact that you admit that you hide behind your computer and spit venom you wouldn’t dare communicate to someone in real life says all there is to say. You’re an embarrassment with little class and zero tact. Keep up the great work.
This is the last time I will speak on this subject as the season is approaching and there’s things way more important things to discuss other than this trash clogging up the board.
I believe Prior is on a solid minor league deal, if he doesn’t make the team then he goes to the minor leagues. That probably wouldn’t bother him because like he said, he is having to retrain himself how to pitch to batters. He just needs some place to get the practice in.
Nat February 28th, 2011 at 8:02 pm
Thanks for the link GB. Nice read on Whitey and Betances. Always love to read stories from the past. Made me smile just reading it.
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My pleasure, Nat and YankeeFem. The old stories never get old. Something different always seems to some up.
At the hearing for the Copa incident. Yogi probably had the most intelligent remark when they all went to the hearing. “Mr. Berra, in your own words, tell us exactly what happened.” Mr. Berra said, “Nobody did nothin’ to nobody.”
For years, most people said that it was Hank Bauer who dropped the loudmouth with one punch. As it turned out, the guy was already down when Bauer got there. Apparently, 2 of the Copa’s tuxedoed busboys (about 6’4″ and 250 pounds) went to have a polite chat with the guy.
Tarheel In NYC February 28th, 2011 at 8:32 pm
Yankeefem and J Alfred,
May I ask what mode of transportation you take to Trenton for the games? I’ve been researching and it looks like driving is the way to go. I was hoping to use public transportation from Queens, but it looks like that would be a real quagmire.
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Tarheel, for me it is a easy drive, but I am already in NJ. I am not sure what the logistics would be from Queens but driving would give you more control over things. Traffic depends a lot on hours/days you would be traveling. However, there *is* a train station right near the ballpark, so that might be a possibility if there is accessible taxi service. Probably public transport would work better for a day game. Were you planning on going for a weekend game or weekday?
Yankeefem,
I think you’re right…I should drive for all of the reasons that you listed. I saw that there’s a train station near the ballpark, but I’ve discovered that I would have to take 3-4 other trains in order to get to that train. I think that’s a recipe for disaster – LOL
I have a car, so I might as well take advantage of it. Looks like it’ll be about a 2-hour drive, but I think it’ll be well worth it. Since I work full-time and am in grad school, I’m definitely going to have to do a weekend game. My weeknights and weekdays are booked for now.
Thank you for the feedback!
i know things like surplus pitching normally sort it self out. Still, if prior is effective, one has to wonder what role he will be thrust in and whose spot he will be taking.
i am hoping for Mitre.
MTU February 28th, 2011 at 8:30 pm
JAP-
I believe you referred to Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle in the previous thread ?
Just curious. Are you a Physicist ?
Please excuse the reference if I was wrong.
///
MTU,
Not strictly a physicist. I do work with them often on research projects. Yea you could say Heisenberg is the father of a great deal of this fun stuff, now becoming more mainstream with endless applications, but he got a big assist from Papa Einstein, the father of us all. Are you?
Why am I hearing more and more people say Betances would be better off in the bullpen? Is this going to be Joba all over again? I just read today that he reminds someone of Brad Lidge
This is great. Even if he doesn’t make an impact, Prior’s had a rough career. Hope he can get back on the horse and finish his career strong.
Hopefully, Prior wakes up tomorrow and no arm issues. A nice story or not, if he can be a big help in the bullpen in 2011, it would be great. Not counting on it, but, would be good. People forget that after almost 6 years out of baseball because of arm and elbow ptoblems (5 or 6 arm surgeries), Jose Rijo came back and was big out of the Cincinnati bullpen in late 2001 and again in 2002 with 9 starts.
So if the Yankees do trade for Liriano with a package headlined by either Nova or Joba, that still leaves us with plenty of chips for a KING FELIX trade.
King Felix
CC
Hughes
Liriano
Burnett
I doubt it would happen, but it sure is doable.
Mr. November is Greatest Game #12 of 20. On now MLB Network
Prior should have been a Yankee all along…….it’s a shame how his career has turned out, but he still has time to rejuvenate it, like Kerry Wood did. He seems open-minded, so if he would accept an assignment to AAA with the understanding that he’d be brought up if he pitches well – well, I’d like to see that.
You can forget Felix, but even if he were on the block, Phil Hughes would be the first person going back to Seattle, along with Montero and Betances/Banuelos
Forget Felix. Too much cost. I keep Betances, Banuelos and Montero no matter who’s offered.
No room for prior at the inn…
See ya..
Prufrock, I’d give up Betances (Banuelos I’d keep as he’s a lefty) – Felix , remember, is still very young. Phil obviously – I wouldn’t give up Montero, I don’t think.
Give all 3 Bs for Felix in an instant cashman
Betsy – Betances is younger
.
So. Just finished watching season 4 of Dexter. So in shock over the ending. Didn’t see that coming at all. Even after Rita’s voicemail.
Tarheel In NYC February 28th, 2011 at 8:45 pm
Yankeefem,
I think you’re right…I should drive for all of the reasons that you listed. I saw that there’s a train station near the ballpark, but I’ve discovered that I would have to take 3-4 other trains in order to get to that train. I think that’s a recipe for disaster – LOL
I have a car, so I might as well take advantage of it. Looks like it’ll be about a 2-hour drive, but I think it’ll be well worth it. Since I work full-time and am in grad school, I’m definitely going to have to do a weekend game. My weeknights and weekdays are booked for now.
Thank you for the feedback!
_______
Absolutely, Tarheel. Feel free to ask further questions if you need to. What’s your route? 278W to 95 South? If you are attending Saturday games, they are mostly 7PM starts except for the April 16th game, which is a 5:05.
I think they can get King Felix without giving up Banuelos, Hughes, Montero and Montero. Gary Sanchez, Austin Romine, Brackman, Laird, Noesi, Adams, Eduardo Nunez, Adam Warren, etc..
Brackman can be the Mariners right handed version of the Big Unit.
Hey YF and TH – I’ve got at most a 20 minute drive from Princeton, pretty painless. I’m right on Trenton’s doorstep.
M,
Agree CRAzY dex ending …
Amazing how great lithgow was..
J Alfred, and Betances is slightly less proven than Felix
However, he’s the only guy I would trade Betances for……….otherwise, I look forward to he and Banuelos in the rotation for years to come
Triple Short of a Cycle February 28th, 2011 at 8:51 pm
Why am I hearing more and more people say Betances would be better off in the bullpen? Is this going to be Joba all over again? I just read today that he reminds someone of Brad Lidge
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Why? He has 3 plus pitches. He is a starter.
Betsy February 28th, 2011 at 9:05 pm
J Alfred, and Betances is slightly less proven than Felix
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Less proven who what? He’s proven to me, seen him 3X
It doesn’t matter anyway, lol, this is never happening
yankeefeminista February 28th, 2011 at 9:06 pm
Triple Short of a Cycle February 28th, 2011 at 8:51 pm
Why am I hearing more and more people say Betances would be better off in the bullpen? Is this going to be Joba all over again? I just read today that he reminds someone of Brad Lidge
_____
Why? He has 3 plus pitches. He is a starter.
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Yea that’s nonsense Triple Short. I’d pay it no mind.
J. Alfred Prufrock February 28th, 2011 at 9:04 pm
Hey YF and TH – I’ve got at most a 20 minute drive from Princeton, pretty painless. I’m right on Trenton’s doorstep.
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Yes, your location is choice for Trenton, but not so good for NYS. It would be hell taking the turnpike every time I had to go to the Stadium. That is one of the few negatives about Princeton, where I now actually have to be on Weds. for the foreseeable future, a stone’s throw away from Waterfront Park. Great work if you can get it.
J. Alfred Prufrock February 28th, 2011 at 9:09 pm
yankeefeminista February 28th, 2011 at 9:06 pm
Triple Short of a Cycle February 28th, 2011 at 8:51 pm
Why am I hearing more and more people say Betances would be better off in the bullpen? Is this going to be Joba all over again? I just read today that he reminds someone of Brad Lidge
_____
Why? He has 3 plus pitches. He is a starter.
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Yea that’s nonsense Triple Short. I’d pay it no mind.
_______
Probably the same “pundits” who wanted to put Betances in a package for an old washed up veteran just last week.
Yes, your location is choice for Trenton, but not so good for NYS. It would be hell taking the turnpike every time I had to go to the Stadium. That is one of the few negatives about Princeton, where I now actually have to be on Weds. for the foreseeable future, a stone’s throw away from Waterfront Park. Great work if you can get it.
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yea the Pike is a barrel of laughs. We sometimes take the train or stay over if there are two in a row, or we crawl along scenic 206 to hit 287 to pick up 80 to the GWB, just for variety. We do unload a lot of weekend games. The key is go early and bring a book.
Good for Cervelli getting 2 hits today!
Thanks for that info Chad.
YF – thanks for the Banuelos link. “That’s what they want, right?” LOL. I guess ManBan or Betances will get the opening gig on the 14th. I certainly will try to make that one.
Night, folks. Have a good one.
J. Alfred Prufrock February 28th, 2011 at 9:27 pm
YF – thanks for the Banuelos link. “That’s what they want, right?” LOL. I guess ManBan or Betances will get the opening gig on the 14th. I certainly will try to make that one.
Night, folks. Have a good one.
____
I’m out too, in search of food. Good night!
Two Strong, Young Arms Turn Heads in Yankees Camp
Pitching Prospects Banuelos and Betances Turn Heads in Spring Training Debuts .
http://online.wsj.com/article/.....lenews_wsj
Thanks Tom, although I have to wonder if you would dare share that link with your friends and family.
it’s nice to see some of the Yankees prospects turning heads in spring training games, that’s the next step in their development. Cervelli has obviously put lots of effort into improving both at the plate and defensively, that can only help the ballclub whether he is the backup to start the year or becomes a valuable trading chip.
No more starter to reliever experiments please. Would it kill the Yankees to develop a high end reliever.
“# m February 28th, 2011 at 9:02 pm
So. Just finished watching season 4 of Dexter. So in shock over the ending. Didn’t see that coming at all. Even after Rita’s voicemail.
”
most addicting show on cable. Season 5 is not as good but still better than any other detective/drama on television
# m February 28th, 2011 at 9:02 pm
So. Just finished watching season 4 of Dexter. So in shock over the ending. Didn’t see that coming at all. Even after Rita’s voicemail.
———
That show rocks. Probably my favorite show on TV now. That and Breaking Bad.
Season 4 of Dexter was probably the best season to date.