A friendly competition
Posted by: Sam Borden - Posted in Misc on Jun 11, 2011 
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Curtis Granderson hit his 20th home run of the season in the fourth inning today; four innings later, Mark Teixeira hit his 19th. And while no one is expecting a Mantle-Maris situation to play out over the rest of the year, the Yankees are enjoying watching their back-to-back hitters try to keep up with each other.
“Hopefully we can do it all season,” Teixeira said. “I like those kind of competitions.”
Granderson’s power continues to amaze. He’s now homered in three straight games and is only four homers away from his total for all of last season. He’s also never come close to hitting 20 home runs this early in a season. In 2009, when he hit 30, he got to No. 20 on July 27; in 2007, 2008 and 2010, he didn’t get there until September.
What does Teixeira see from Granderson as he watches from the on-deck circle?
“His swing is consistent,” Teixeira said. “Whenever he gets a pitch to drive, he doesn’t miss it.”
* Everyone could use a hug sometimes, right? Well that’s an AP shot of Granderson getting one from A.J. Burnett after Granderson’s home run today.
Phelps is the best choice for the rotation long term and thus IMO the best choice to make that start on Thursday.
You really can’t play down the numbers he’s put up over his professional career. He has a terrific track record and while I understand that he isn’t beating the world down with his stuff, should have plenty to succeed given his command and savvy.
Fastball velocity doesn’t mean anything unless its coupled with movement and command, among other things. We’ve seen that with Nova this year and I think Phelps can be a solid major league starter even with an 89-91 MPH fastball.
Phelps is as close as any Yankee prospect to IPK and Clippard that I’ve seen, he’s virtually in the exact same mold as those two. People disparaged both of their chances to become successful major league pitchers because of their fastball velocity, and both have made a lot of people look foolish so far.
Mendoza was ground ball pitcher, not fly ball pitcher.
Phelps definitely knows what he’s doing out there….his minor league numbers have been great at every level. If they aren’t going with Noesi then either he or Warren would be fine ….Warren has better stuff but Phelps might be a better matchup against Texas…..who knows…..Im still upset Colon got hurt. Silver lining I guess might be that he’ll have some time mid season to rest his arm…..could be a good thing.
Time to put asterisks next to McGwire, Sosa and Bonds HR #’s over 61.
# BoJo June 11th, 2011 at 7:52 pm
The question I have is what young pitcher stands the best chance to go up against Texas and NOT be traumatized for life? I don’t want to see another incident like Chase Wright.
Texas kills fast balls, and the pitcher best suited might be someone who has good command of a change up and keeps the ball low. Control in the zone, and changing planes also important.
==================================
When will Jamie Moyer be available?
Re-posts:
yankeefeminista June 11th, 2011 at 7:54 pm
I agree I would be fearful of Warren’s FB propensity vs. Texas. Against Texas, I would go Mitchell, Phelps, Warren for the start. Although, I could see Yanks choosing Phelps over Mitchell. With Phelps, I would be concerned that if he isn’t pinpoint, he won’t get calls, will not get the benefit of the doubt on pitches around the plate, etc. I like Mitchell’s stuff and deception for Texas.
yankeefeminista June 11th, 2011 at 7:55 pm
Bojo, that guy is Mitchell, but they might consider Phelps more advanced. However, I still would go Mitchell.
yankeefeminista June 11th, 2011 at 7:56 pm
I also think Warren’s lefty splits are pretty bad. Too lazy to look. That too would concern me.
Girardi is going to talk about getting hit left and right and he is tired of it yet what is being done about it? CC,Colon,AJ and Nova are capable of retaliating yet people on here say that CC is the only pitcher we have that can do it. It took how many guys getting hit by Boston for us to hit back and now we see it again against Cle and we had Nova and Colon on the mound that are capable at retaliation and yet nothing happens.
You address this stuff right after it happens and you will see a drop in the amount of hit by pitches
Funny–hardly any mention that this was the second shutout of the year for the Yankees. Took us long enough to get the first one…
Blake – completely agree with you. If Bartolo misses 6-8 weeks and we hang around, he’ll be a big boost in August. Hopefully, by then, we’ll have a rotation that includes the new phil hughes, cc, a strong top half lefty via trade, and burnett. Would be great if colon were to return fresh and slot into the #3 spot, ie, we had a #2 who was decidedly better.
Mitchell has had problems with LHB throughout his mL career.
Sanchez has a double. Turley looking good so far, GB.
BoJo June 11th, 2011 at 7:52 pm
The question I have is what young pitcher stands the best chance to go up against Texas and NOT be traumatized for life? I don’t want to see another incident like Chase Wright.
Texas kills fast balls, and the pitcher best suited might be someone who has good command of a change up and keeps the ball low. Control in the zone, and changing planes also important.
———————————————————————————————————————-
The young lefty, Ron Guidry.
Jacob Ruppert June 11th, 2011 at 7:50 pm
Mendoza was ground ball pitcher, not fly ball pitcher.
__________
That’s also how I recall him…seemed he had a natural sinker…not as hard or good as Wang but still heavy and effective.
GreenBeret7 June 11th, 2011 at 8:03 pm
The young lefty, Ron Guidry.
____________
If only Hank had started that cloning program earlier….
AJ pretaliates?
I think the pitchers will take matters into their own hands if there’s suddenly a league wide epidemic of beaning Yankee hitters.
Hopefully opposing batters will knock some sense into their own pitchers.
LGY June 11th, 2011 at 8:02 pm
Mitchell has had problems with LHB throughout his mL career.
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His lefty splits aren’t as good as righty either, but Warren’s this year is pretty bad, I think. I saw Warren pitch in AA and he was stellar, but not sure sure his stuff right now would translate against Texas.
ManBan just gave up a HR. Three in 2 games. At least this one was a solo.
Is it any wonder the Yanks have become a target with their major league leading 20+ HR lead?
If we were to get into a beanball war with every team and players were really getting hurt, would it stop it?
Tough call.
Guidry would have matched up very well against Texas. That power slider would have held both Hamilton and Cruz hitless…
YankeeFem, I saw that. Zoilo Almonte has a 2 run homer for Tampa and a 2 run hit for Ibbara. Heredia has allowed 2 runs on 4 hits with 2 walks and 8 strikeouts through 6 innings
His lefty splits aren’t as good as righty either, but Warren’s this year is pretty bad, I think. I saw Warren pitch in AA and he was stellar, but not sure sure his stuff right now would translate against Texas.
————————
Yeah, on second thought I wouldn’t call Warren up. He is still adjusting to AAA and I am not sure it would be wise to push him right now.
I hope they go with Phelps.
Whoever starts against Texas has to be able to get LHers out…too many power bats there with a short porch.
At least ManBan when from 3-0 on last batter to strike him out. His pitch count must be pretty high already.
Amazing the year Grandy has had……………..
I don’t get it either, Blake – why keep Noesi in the pen? He’s at least shown he can get MLB hitters out – why not let him take Colon’s spot?
*went*not when
http://sports.espn.go.com/new-.....id=6648722
Maybe Noesi does have the best shot at beating Texas. Could be a tough series.
I just saw Alex’s HR.
Dayuumm, that was effortless. A power steak from Alex would be great right now.
Sorry, that 8:07 link was a story about Jeter’s hitting approach. Nice little fluff piece. Except an error. The lady writer wrote that until today Jeter had a 66 at-bat strikeout free streak. I think that was broken the other day.
Banuelos is getting plenty of strikeouts tonight but just gave up a solo homer.
Time to feed the pets…good night all.
We play tomorrow, we win tomorrow!
BoJo June 11th, 2011 at 8:07 pm
Whoever starts against Texas has to be able to get LHers out…too many power bats there with a short porch.
____
Yep, that is why I mentioned the lefty thing b/c of Texas LHB’s. None of the AAA boys’ lefty splits are very good though. But DJ gives up less HR’s. From Yanks perspective they will likely choose Phelps, but I still would like to see Mitchell. I am guessing it won’t be Warren. Anyway, we will soon know.
They now have said Manny’s HR was wind blown.
I could use a power steak right now.
Good night, Bojo.
GreenBeret7 June 11th, 2011 at 8:06 pm
YankeeFem, I saw that. Zoilo Almonte has a 2 run homer for Tampa and a 2 run hit for Ibbara. Heredia has allowed 2 runs on 4 hits with 2 walks and 8 strikeouts through 6 innings.
__________
Thanks for update, GB. Good to see Heredia continue to pitch well.
I think for the time being, we see Noesi as a kind of Aceves figure, more valuable fulfilling that kind of role.
Jose Gil is a bit of a late blomer. Now hitting .316 with a couple of homers and now 12 doubles in less than 70 at bats. Still only about 24 or so. Gil just turned a double into an inside the park homer.
I love this story.
May they each get 50.
Wow bummer about Colon. One good thing though is it will really have to be serious for him to miss time. He loves pitching right now to much to pull a Soriano and use this as an excuse to not play. Bart is a gamer and will pitch if at all possible. That in itself is re-assuring to an extent.
I think we are going to see how weak our pen is right now.
Other than Logan ?, Robo and Mo….we have nothing out there.
That is why Noesi will go to the pen.
Playing with a hitter like Rodriguez, who has eclipsed the 50-homer mark three times in a season, Granderson insists he is not the same type of hitter.
“[Francisco] Cervelli said today, he goes, ‘Just watch, Al will have 20 or so by a couple weeks,’” he said. “So just keep an eye on those guys, and Tex and Bautista.”
As for Granderson?
“Not me,” he said with a smile.
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday.....8;mode=box
GreenBeret7 June 11th, 2011 at 8:19 pm
Jose Gil is a bit of a late blomer. Now hitting .316 with a couple of homers and now 12 doubles in less than 70 at bats. Still only about 24 or so. Gil just turned a double into an inside the park homer.
_______
He actually has filled in admirably for Romine as BUC.
Tex and Grandy are on the same pace Maris and Mantle had in ’61.
Yankeefem, just looked at Gil’ss numbers and he’s hitting .310 between Scranton and Trenton with 13 doubles and 3 homers, 13 RBI in 105 at bats combined. he’s become a good defensive catcher/first baseman.
GB, yes, Gil doing a good job.
RBI single for Suttle. See that, smart AB, they said 2-2 slider running in on the hands. Would love Suttle to start being consistent!
mick June 11th, 2011 at 8:23 pm
Tex and Grandy are on the same pace Maris and Mantle had in ’61.
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50 year anniversary tribute by Tex and Grandy.
Laird ties up Scranton game at 1-1 with a long solo bomb to left field in the 6th inning.
The yanks could use a switch hitting corner infielder with power for the future. As you say, Suttle’s gotta be consistant.
Good start for Tampa by Heredia. 4-2 Tampa
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.....a_dunafa_1
How’s DJ pitching? I have 21 windows up and my computer just went crazy, so I don’t dare look.
Granderson is on Maris’s pace and Tex is actually ahead of Mantle ‘s by 1…..still early though.
Alex’s homer today was like one of those stinger 2 irons Tiger used to hit off the tee on windy days…..it cut right through there.
Hard to believe that almost 25 % of the intended opening day roster is on the DL … Five pitchers and that’s not including Marte….
banuelos out after 5.2 innings and right at 100 pitches. 2-2 lead, 4 hits, 1 run, 3 walks, 8 strikeouts. Hernandez allows inherited run to score. No win for banuelos
Mitchell with 94 pitches. 54 strikes. 6 innings, 7 hits, 1 run, 3 walks, 2 strikeouts. 10 groundouts, 2 flyouts, solo homer.
Like the 8 K’s…..would love to see him get deeper into games though. Sounds like he’s throwing a lit of unnecessary pitches.
Afternoon, Pat. Hope all is well with you and Mrs Pat and all of the little Pats.
yeah, suddenly the pitchers are droppling like fkies. Really has eaten uo the bullpen in a hurry. now is when we find out just how good our young minor league pitchers really are.
***dropping***
Thanks, GB. I shut down my browser and am now back in business.
DJ – Like the GO’s, not crazy about the walks.
Gil, another hit? 3B for the cycle.
Mack has come a long way since SI.
Blake, both Manny and Betances are still going to too many full counts.
GB…2 Starters and 3 late inning arms…..Barb-B-Qing food for the week, almost done….Grilling veggies now…..
Yankeefem,
Does it look like they are having control / command issues or just screwing around too much….like being too cute instead of just coming right at guys. When I saw Banuelos in ST get behind in counts that’s what it looked like to me more than anything….like he was trying to be too fine…..
Either way it sounds like the both are getting closer and that the final step might be becoming more efficient and knowing when to challenge hitters…..basically just getting more experience pitching.
It’s all coming apart in the 7th inning with 2 outs for Mitchell. Ryann Zimmermann got him for a soft RBI single.
His finakll line was 7 innings, 9 hits 3 runs, 4 strikeouts, 2 strikeouts, 1 homer, 116 pitches, 66 strikes, 50 balls.
Washington has a lot of MLB players on the team. Not terrible, except for the walks. trailing 3-1,
YankeeFem, with an inside the parker for a catcher, I believe he gets credit for a homer and a triple
GB,
If they aren’t going with Noesi (which I sorta don’t understand ) to replace Colon…..who you think? Phelps?
blake June 11th, 2011 at 9:13 pm
Yankeefem,
Does it look like they are having control / command issues or just screwing around too much….like being too cute instead of just coming right at guys. When I saw Banuelos in ST get behind in counts that’s what it looked like to me more than anything….like he was trying to be too fine…..
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More control/command issues, unfortunately, but a little of both. Last time I saw Betances he was erratic inside with the CB to righties and outside with the FB. However, he was very good hitting his spots vs. lefties. With Banuelos, he has had FB command issues. Banuelos actually pitched much better in the first ST game than he has in AA. I missed the away game in Reading where he supposedly dominated and I missed tonight’s game. However, both their control this year has been spotty. Last season I saw them at end of season and they were very very good. So, that is where I expect them to again be. I’ll will see Betances next on Wed. Hopefully, the good weather will help. Manny especially is not a fan of the cold weather.
Yankeefem,
Thanks…..not really too unexpected as they are still developing a bit. The fact that they are still putting up pretty good numbers despite having the command issues is telling.
Girardi was blunter. “I’m tired of it,” he said. “Our guys get hit entirely too much. We’re a club that hits home runs and people don’t like that too much.”
i’m an early adopter.
i was tired of it way before girardi, but i’m glad he finally came around.
Laird closes the Scranton gap to 3-2 with an RBI single to go with his solo homer.
Blake, not sure, but my guess would be Warren. I’d rather go with Mitchell, but, still waiting for Cash to call me for my opinion.
blake June 11th, 2011 at 9:26 pm
Yankeefem,
Thanks…..not really too unexpected as they are still developing a bit. The fact that they are still putting up pretty good numbers despite having the command issues is telling.
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They are just erratic sometimes. Usually its based on FB command issues. However, they still pretty much dominate the opposition. Betances rarely even allows a real hit.
1961…Mantle & Maris, my first year playing Little League & it’s the time when I really started to watch The Yanks on WPIX….It’S a Ballentine hit, how about that !!!!……Can it really be 50 years ago ????
GreenBeret7 June 11th, 2011 at 9:17 pm
YankeeFem, with an inside the parker for a catcher, I believe he gets credit for a homer and a triple
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Why not also a double considering how slow Gil is.
GB,
I like Warren….he had the best taste in colleges
GreenBeret7 June 11th, 2011 at 9:30 pm
Blake, not sure, but my guess would be Warren. I’d rather go with Mitchell, but, still waiting for Cash to call me for my opinion.
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The suspense is killing me. Sort of.
Nice 2-0 shutout for Charleston and Nik Turley.
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.....x_crdafx_1
Warren can be too in love with his FB and his secondary pitches can be fringy. But when he is hitting his spots, he is very efficient. He is not my favorite pitcher.
His D is suspect, but Pirela is killing the ball, just missed one there.
Thanks, GB. Love Turley’s line. I wonder what pitches he threw.
Pat, hardly seems possible. My biggest regret was that Mantle’s last year, I missed because I was in VN. I remember that he had a 5-5 game on Memorial Day in ’68. a single, 2 doubles and 2 homers. I had to wait until we got a resupply and they’d bring out a few Stars And Stripes newspapers and always had the box xcores and story lines in it. I got hte papers for the week, but usually a week late/. Every once in a while, Armed Forces Radio Vietnam would have the game broadcasts and got to listen to them.
Just a quick look at the standings and if the Yanks take care of business the Indians could be in 2nd place by the end of the weekend…..man they fell fast.
Also starting to wonder if the Angels might be sellers if they fall farther back…..they just aren’t as good as the Rangers and if they rest of the teams in that division aren’t careful they are going to run away with it again just like last year. The Mariners are a surprise but they aren’t good enough and neither are the A’s.
Who are you buying from the Angels, Blake?
Scranton tried to rally in the 9th with 1 out, hits by Doug Bernier and Gus Molina, but, Golson hits into a game winning RBI.
Final Box score.
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.....a_syraaa_1
YankeeFem, I wish I knew, too. Am still listening to the Trenton game.
I guess that I need to get 3 more computers to listen and watch all 4 teams plus the Yanks.
Gotta get one for the Staten Island games, too.
Eh…..I don’t know, maybe not anybody but see what pitching I could scavenge if they were willing. Check on Haren maybe…..they don’t really have a history of selling though….last year they bought and were pretty far back in the standings.
GB, that must have been such a treat to get those occasional Yankee game broadcasts while in VN.
If you are listening to Trenton, I assume you didn’t hear any update on Montero. That SWB writer is slacking off. His twitter said he was off in the city, having dinner. The nerve.
Yes, 3 more computers and 3 more pairs of ears are much needed! Once Staten Island starts, keep tracking will be even more difficult. We should each take a game to report on.
I just mapped out my sched, trying to juggle attending Yankee, Trenton and SI games. Not an easy task, and much too much driving.
YankeeFem, it really was a nice touch of home for an 18 year old. Was on plenty of patrols so didn’t hear a lot, but even at 4:00AM, they were real treasures.
The bums, jay and hank on Trenton game never mentioned Montero and only had the video of the Scranton game. I’m gonna sue ‘em.
Why would a reporter be going out to eat during the game? The nerve. What does he think that we’re paying him for? To eat? He’s not Pete abraham.
GB, seems like you don’t think Phelps will be as strong of a consideration as Mitchell/Warren.
Any reason why? He’s clearly outpitched both of them this year.
GreenBeret7 June 11th, 2011 at 10:07 pm
Why would a reporter be going out to eat during the game? The nerve. What does he think that we’re paying him for? To eat? He’s not Pete abraham.
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At least Pete brought his food with him to the game. Collins needs to reaccess his priorities or we will have to fire him.
I really like Phelps a lot, but, he can lose command on occassion and just don’t think that I’d like to see him make his ML debut in YS against Texas.
YankeeFem, I’d send him an e-mail and give Collins a piece of my mind. Trying to decide if I can afford it, though. Brain matter is difficult to come by. for proof, just read this blog.
Very sorry to hear about Colon’s injury.
Do we have any info. on how long he may be out yet ?
Hi MTU, no updates on Colon, all speculation.
Why not start Noesi and backfill the pen with one of the others ?
Mitchell is a GB pitcher and might be very effective out of the pen.
Good game for banuelos and the Thunder in a 4-2 win. I really hate seeing Cody johnson strike out at such an alarming rate. Nearly 50% of the time. Sensational power, but just can’t make contact.
Final box score
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.....x_treaax_1
Thank you YF.
MTU, I’d prefer Noesi, too, but, they want him in the pen.
GB-
That’s too bad because he is the best of the lot right now.
MTU,
That would make the most sense to me….I guess they like Noesi in that swing man role with the thin bullpen.
If Martin isn’t ready tomorrow I think you have to start to consider putting him on the DL….
New thread ==>
Blake-
I think Martin goes tomorrow.
Pat M,
My first year of little league was also 1961. I wore no. 9, played right, hit left and had the same b-day as Roger. I was fated to be a great home run hitter, or so it seemed. That was a wonderful season
Tampa Yankees won tonight 4-2 as well. Heredia labored but only gave up a 2 run HR through 5 innings. Poor Mitch Abeita, catches once a week and took a beating tonight, had balls fouled off his head and one of the batters swung around and knocked him right in the face mask with the bat. Zoilo Almonte continues to rake, hit a big home run over the right field fence.
Yes, according to Davidoff (was it?) we want Noesi in the pen.
Let’s hope Martin is back. The prospect of Cervelli throwing balls into CF on Texas’s base runners doesn’t thrill me. Texas will run all day on u
*us*
GB, Cody’s K rates are mind-boggling.
tyanks, I see you made it to your game. Thanks for the Marshall info.