Postgame notes: Overshadowed, Ramirez has another strong outing
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Mar 09, 2013 
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For a while there, Phil Hughes’ aching back was one of the biggest stories in Yankees camp. And you’d think, after three weeks of not throwing off a mound, his return to the bullpen would have been a pretty big deal.
But not on this day. On this day, even Derek Jeter was second fiddle.
Nothing was going to bump Mariano Rivera out of the spotlight today, and certainly not a 23-year-old who’s still probably a year away from the big leagues. But Jose Ramirez sure did look good today. The game was a 2-1 loss to the Braves, but Ramirez did his part with four scoreless innings. He walked none, allowed one single and struck out four.
“He’s been great,” Joe Girardi said. “The kid has thrown the ball really well. He’s throwing strikes. He’s got an outstanding changeup. His slider is a work in progress. He spots his fastball with velocity. He’s had an outstanding spring.”
Of all the young arms in camp, it’s Ramirez who’s made the most noise. He’s gotten two starts and has pitched a total of nine innings allowing four hits with one walk and five strikeouts. He can run his fastball velocity into the mid-90s and he can locate his changeup, two things that don’t often go hand-in-hand with a young pitcher. Ramirez is coming off a terrific second half in High-A, and he’s probably heading for Double-A to start the season, but he’s doing an awfully good job of making sure he’s on the radar.
• Jeter will sit out tomorrow and could DH again on Monday. After that, all Jeter has to do is give the green light and he’ll get his first start at shortstop. “If that’s what he feels he’s ready to do, then we’ll do it,” Girardi said. “He had 100 percent clearance from the doctor. Let’s get through Monday and see how he feels. If he decides he’s ready to go on the field, I’ll put him on the field.”
• A popup and two strikeouts for Rivera. As Sweeny Murti noted while we were interviewing him postgame, Rivera was smiling a lot for a spring training game. “I won’t take it for granted,” he explained. “Almost a whole year without being on the mound, you know? Now I have the chance to be on the mound. I have to enjoy. … It feels good. The knee feels good. I wanted to cover first base, or some action, but it didn’t happen. Next time it will happen.”
• Speaking of which, next time is probably going to be Wednesday. The writers kept pushing Rivera to make his next outing on Tuesday on the road against the Rays. “What? Port Charlotte?” Rivera said. “Come on guys. Come on!”
• Mentioned it pregame, and Girardi talked about it a little bit postgame: Phil Hughes, David Aardsma and Dave Robertson all threw off a mound today and reported no problems. “All good news,” Girardi said. “Maybe the worm has turned.”
• Two more cuts from big league camp: Right-handed relievers Kelvin Perez and Tom Kahnle were reassigned to the minor league complex.
• I didn’t see it, but John Harper reported that, before today’s game, Girardi himself was going through third-base drills with Ronnier Mustelier. That’s interesting because Mustelier seemed to be in camp strictly as an outfielder before the Mark Teixeira injury, now he’s getting a look at third. I’ve been told that Mustelier has developed into a better defensive outfielder than infielder, but he’s actually looked pretty good at third the times I’ve seen him this spring. And his triple today was the Yankees only extra-base hit. Could be an interesting option if the Yankees think he can do the job defensively. They certainly like the bat.
• As expected, Slade Heathcott returned from his minor thumb injury to play center field. He went 1-for-2
• Ichiro Suzuki had the Yankees only two-hit game. He also stole a base. … Chris Stewart threw out the only runner who tried to steal against him. … A scoreless, walkless, hitless inning for Joba Chamberlain. I was in the clubhouse when he was on the mound, so I didn’t even know he’d pitched until I saw the box score. I’d totally forgotten he was supposed to get in today’s game. Guess it went alright. … Big-armed lefty Francisco Rondon took the loss today after allowing his first run of the spring.
Associated Press photos
Ramirez had a swing and miss on a slider today. He threw only a few, but they had a sharp, but smallish break. It looked workable. He also threw a bunch of 96-97 mph fastballs. His change up is a very good pitch with movement.
Please stay healthy. I saw some analyst say he had a no. 3 starter ability. I’d like to see the first two guys starters then. They must have some stuff.
Ramirez is also not afraid to throw his CU to right handers. He had some good success today on them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IekTIqjM3Mg
Watch this video, look at Hughes command his fastball and throw a nasty change up. Hughes in the minors was a drool worthy prospect if there ever was one.
He just needs a big league average breaking ball to be successful with that heavy fastball and plus CU….obviously a plus breaking ball would be nice but if he can just stay healthy he’s got front line type potential from what I’ve seen…..
He’s gotta have a full healthy season this year….that’s the first hurdle…. If he can do that he should be close to the big leagues cause stuff wise he’s there almost
@JeffPassan: Larry Walker on Alfredo Aceves: “I had a hold of him, and I thought I saw Satan in his eyes.”
Here is the highlight reel from that game: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGplQomdSl0
Blake-
I haven’t seen Ramirez’s CU but I have seen Manny’s. I saw him make a complete fool of some very big hitters w it.
One of them is our current 3B.
It’s plus plus. I doubt Ramirez’s could be better. Probably not even as good.
Manny also developed a wicked sweeping curve much like Petitte’s.
Anyway, Let’s hope they both stay healthy enough to develop into quality starters.
blake March 9th, 2013 at 7:39 pm
@JeffPassan: Larry Walker on Alfredo Aceves: “I had a hold of him, and I thought I saw Satan in his eyes.”
Hehehehehehehe… that was a crazy fight!! Morosi must be thrilled. People care!
Jerkface — thanks for posting those links. Except for Shelly Duncan, I never heard of any of the Hughes’s teammates. It goes to remind me of how few prospects actually make it.
Ramirez has looked insane. I’m ready to trade a pitcher for 3B or corner OF help.
Shame-
You’re always ready to trade someone for somebody.
You’re just greedy.
“I wanted to cover first base, or some action, but it didn’t happen”
It’s been 23 years without too much action, so be patient, Mo
And please, please, please, no Ramirez rules. Really
In that picture up top Ramirez looks like he has a very long stride.
Bet that’s where a lot of his power comes from.
MTU,
I do remember that CU against Youk… 3-2 pitch, were the bases loaded? Our current 3B spoke well about that K
jmv-
He made Youkilis look like a fool w it.
It’s a scary good pitch for him.
I think that where some of the Santana comparisons started. Being left-handed w a devasting CU and a respectable FB.
jmv-
Did you show your Wife the Gallery I sent you ?
Please do. She’ll love it.
“Here is my main point regarding Phil Hughes: He was called up because they needed him, not because he was ready.
He had three starts at AAA. One fair, one poor and one great. Does that make him ready? Hughes is 20, not 22 or 23. He has dominated lower levels of baseball and needs to learn how to hold runners and get ahead in counts along with establishing faith in his off-speed and breaking pitches. That’s why they have the minor leagues.
Do you know how times he has faced a hitter with the bases loaded in the last two years? Twice.
Did everybody forget he pitched poorly in spring training against big-league hitters?
I don’t buy the notion that he should learn on the job in the majors. That leads to overthrowing and an increased possibility of injury. It’s almost impossible to protect a young pitcher in the majors, especially in New York. Once they get to the Bronx, it about winning.
I blame Brian Cashman for this. He had way too much faith in Carl Pavano’s ability to stay healthy and for whatever reason invested a lot of money in Kei Igawa. Now they’re paying the price. If Hughes gets hurt in two weeks, somebody has to answer for that.” peter a.
But what’s done is done. He’s here and I suspect he faces Texas next week. They have nobody else.
http://yankees.lhblogs.com/200.....g-reasons/
jerkface-
i think your recollection of back then was a bit off. there were other people like peter a saying similar things like i was that he was being rushed. hughes was not pitcher who had nothing else to learn.
crap, he’s still learning now. he’s going to make some other team real happy when he finally gets it all together.
The Yankees had a steep learning curve when it came to developing pitching.
Hopefully, they’ve learned a few things. Getting rid of Eiland and Contreras seem like steps in the right direction.
The other thing that needs to happen is the disappearance of the all-hands-on-deck mentality.
I think we should raid the Rays.
Good evening,
MTU,
Read your question the other night…Yes, unlike the US, the vice-president is not elected but appointed, therefore he has no legitimacy. Hence the new elections. They have announced an April 14th election with 10 days of campaign. Hope this answers your question.
Back to baseball… I must say that Ramirez looks like the real deal… I am glad they are giving Mustelier a shot, but personally I would have liked to see David Adams get a shot… In any case, the retooling seems to be starting
randy l April 26th, 2007 at 10:39 pm
“pitchers overthrow when they are tired. hughes got tired today at 65-70 pitches. it has nothing to do with stuff,poise, make up, and all that other good stuff. he just doesn’t have the arm strengtyh and endurance.
you don’t learn on the job on a fatigued arm that isn’t trained for 100 pitches. it’s too dangerous.”
jerkface-
no one can ever prove what causes an injury. that said, i knew he didn’t have the arm strength at the time. while i can’t prove hughes being rushed caused his injury, you also can’t prove it didn’t.
what i’m saying in this and all other cases, why not err on the safe side and have someone like hughes built up so he can throw 100 pitches before making his first mlb start?
I am going out for dinner, later
Luis-
The young guy should be able to beat the Commandante’s appointed imposter.
Heck, he nearly took Hugo.
Good luck.
Viva Venezuela Libre !
MTU,
BA called Ramierez’s CU the best in the Yanks entire organization….including the big league club….it’s a really good pitch. I don’t guess it really matters whose is better…..both Manny and Ramierez have skill sets that could make them special…..Manny the LHed 3 plus pitches and Ramierez the power heavy fastball/CU……
I’m hoping the good guys get two victories tonight…..Heels and USA!
“Hehehehehehehe… that was a crazy fight!! Morosi must be thrilled. People care!”
Lol….Morosi
Blake-
True dat ! Doesn’t really matter.
Hope they both stay healthy and contribute.
Young arms are the most risky commodity around.
They break down almost as much as Brittish cars.
Out of Pineda, Campos, Depaula, Hensley, Banuelos, Ramierez etc ….at least one of those guys has to become good right?
Blake-
It certainly increases your odds.
Blake, trade all 7 of ‘em for Matt Garza … Pitching holds the keys to the kingdom …
tucker says:
March 9, 2013 at 9:07 pm
Blake, trade all 7 of ‘em for Matt Garza … Pitching holds the keys to the kingdom …
Don’t joke about that
J/k … I hope they hold on to all of them, don’t make any trades to start the season and give Musty third base until he proves he does not deserve to be in the bigs …
And Nova, Blake. He could become good.
Well this is a less than ideal start at the Smith Center
FiretheUMPIRE says:
March 9, 2013 at 9:11 pm
And Nova, Blake. He could become good.
Just talkin bout prospects really….
Nova’s still got 4-5 years of control.
And plenty of room to grow.
Good grief….
The guy pitching for team Italian Americans is awful….if we can’t beat him they deserve to go home
Did Kaat just say Stanton has a slider speed bat?
Piazza’a face looks… weird.
Piazza’s*