Kennedy headlines night of dominant pitching performances
ByTonight’s David Price – Matt Wieters matchup was rained out. For shame.
Triple-A Scranton (2-1 win over Lehigh Valley in 11 innings)
Kevin Russo: 3 for 5, 2 2B, 1 SB - I wouldn’t be completely shocked if he was the big league utility infielder in the second half
J-Rod: 1 for 4, 1 R, 1 2B, 2 K
Todd Linden: 0 for 5
Shelley Duncan & Juan Miranda: both 1 for 5, 1 K – Shelley drove in a run … Miranda doubled & drove in a run
Austin Jackson: 2 for 5, 3 K – 3 hits in his first 2 games … holding his own so far
Eric Duncan: 0 for 2, 1 BB
Angel Berroa: 1 for 4, 1 RBI
Chris Stewart: 0 for 4, 1 K
Ian Kennedy: 6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 11 K, 2-5 GB/FB – 68 of 86 pitches were strikes (79.1%) … 11 K ties a career high
David Robertson: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 2-5 GB/FB – 27 of 39 pitches were strikes (69.2%) … most dominant pitcher in the system over the last two years is at it again
Brett Tomko: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K3-0 GB/FB – 21 of 35 pitches were strikes (60%) … allowed two hits in the top of the 9th, but he escaped without allowing a run
JB Cox: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, 1-2 GB/FB – picked up the save … only 7 of 14 pitches were strikes
Double-A Trenton (4-3 loss to Binghamton)
Eduardo Nunez: 2 for 5, 1 E (fielding) – he & Ramiro Pena got the most unwarranted hype of the preseason
Reegie Corona: 0 for 3, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 E (fielding)
Colin Curtis & Seth Fortenberry: both 0 for 4, 1 K
Edwar Gonzalez: 3 for 4, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI
Marcos Vechionacci: 1 for 4, 1 RBI, 1 K, 1 E (throwing) – just stay healthy Vech
Chris Malec: 2 for 3, 1 RBI, 1 K
Zach McAllister: 5 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 3 HB, 10-2 GB/FB – solid debut for a 21-yr old in AA
Kevin Whelan: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 0-1 GB/FB
Wilkins Arias: 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 1 HB, 3-0 GB/FB – one of the walks was intentional
Josh Schmidt: 1 IP, zeroes, 1 K
High-A Tampa (2-1 win over Lakeland)
The Austins: both 0 for 3 – Krum drove in a run with a sac fly … Romine drew a walk & swiped a bag
Eric Fryer: 3 for 4, 1 SB
Jesus Montero, Brandon Laird & Mitch Hilligoss: all 1 for 4 – Montero caught for the second consecutive game, so it looks like he & Romine will be sharing catching duties in blocks of games rather than one at a time, which is the better for their development… Hilligoss K’ed
Damon Sublett: 0 for 4, 1 K, 2 E (fielding, throwing) – that’s three errors in two games
Wady Rufino: 2 for 4, 1 R, 1 K
Addison Maruszack: 1 for 3, 1 R
Dellin Betances: 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, 5-6 GB/FB – only two walks … love it
Amaury Sanit: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 2-3 GB/FB – 29-yr old Cuban defector spent last year in the Dominican … keep an eye on him, he’s an interesting guy and has a chance to rocket up the ladder Edwar style
Jon Ortiz: 1 IP, zeroes, 1 K, 2-0 GB/FB - last year’s Low-A supercloser gets a shot at High-A this year
Low-A Charleston (4-2 win over Rome)
Carmen Angelini: 0 for 4, 1 K
Ray Kruml & Brian Baisley: both 2 for 4, 1 R – Kruml swiped a bag … Baisley doubled twice & drove in a run
David Adams: 1 for 3, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 CSm 1 E (fielding)
Abe Almonte & Taylor Grote: both 1 for 3, 1 K – Almonte scored a run & drove one in
Melky Mesa: 1 for 4, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 2 K
Garrison Lassiter & Chase Weems: both 0 for 3 – Lassiter K’ed twice, Weems once
DJ Mitchell: 6 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 K, 1 HB, 9-2 GB/FB – picked a runner off first … Yanks have high hopes for the 10th rounder out of Clemson
Dan Kapala: 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 4-0 GB/FB
Pat Venditte: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 1-1 GB/FB
115 Comments»
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When Robertson gets back to the Show, he’ll stay in the Show.
While I agree with you… who’s spot is he taking?
hate to think it , but one of Albaladejo or Veras is bound to disappoint. maybe both.
I think they both rock it out all year long.
My money’s on Edwar.
I’m taking Edwar and Albie, Veras trips up.
I really don’t like Veras mechanically, he’s only marginally better than Daniel Cabrera, in that even a layman can tell that he’s delivery is very inconsistent.
who knows, someone will blowup.
And what about Melancon? He’s projected to be up here soon. Now you’re talking about two spots.
My guess is Marte gets traded to the NL. And normally I think Edwar or Veras could go. But, Girardi loves edwar…. and veras until shown otherwise is here to stay.
Albaladejo is also a candidate but I like him. (doesnt mean anything)
But realistically, you need two spots for melancon and robertson this year, and then you will still have insane depth with little tex, cox, dunn, claggett and jackson at the end of the year.
The summer of Dellin begins….
I completely agree. It seems like people think that it is a foregone conclusion that Hughes will be the #5 starter in 2010. But there are a couple of other guys who can challenge, including Betances. With his stuff, if he puts it together this year, he could end up in AAA. If he finally nailed down his mechanics, his stuff is certainly good enough to jump two levels and be in the mix next year.
Plus, he’s from Brooklyn Baby!
No.
Betances will not beat out Hughes for the 5th starters role in 2010. He won’t, sorry. No.
If Betances beats out Hughes for a rotation spot in 2010, that means many things will have gone horribly, horribly wrong.
Or possibly rediculously, rediculously right?
If things went ridiculously right, Hughes would be in the rotation and we’d have a stacked AAA rotation.
To quote Mike back when he was Mike A:
“but he’s a project with enormous upside and true ace potential. The key for his development is obviously his delivery. Once he gets that straightened out, his command will improve and everything else will come together.”
Now, I know it is in the infancy stage and naysayers have good reason to remain skeptical, but if this kid FROM BROOKLYN BABY has put it together, we are looking at a guy with #1 stuff. We have all come to grips with the fact that Hughes is more likely a #2 or #3. So again, if things come together for this kid, I see no reason why he won’t be in the mix.
And, he is from Brooklyn!!!!!!!!!
And, he is from Brooklyn!!!!!!!!!
This is a reason to be slower and more deliberate with his progress, not be speedier and rush him to the Bronx.
No. No Betances in 2010. Not. Going. To. Happen.
To explain my excitement about him being from Brooklyn. I am not implying that this is reason to hand him a job. I am simply excited that we have a guy from NYC with a chance to be someone. I actually think that that part of the story does not get enough play.
Please explain your statement that him being from Brooklyn “is a reason to be slower and more deliberate with his progress, not be speedier and rush him to the Bronx.” If things fall into place, then he be treated differently?
Because he’s from Brooklyn, he’ll have the added pressure of pitching in his hometown in front of friends and family.
Sometimes, that is a recipe for disaster. With the depth we have, we have no need to rush a pitcher, ever. When you add in the fact that Betances is a hometown kid, and hometown kids are prone to pressing and trying too hard, it’s even more reason to be even more deliberate.
OK fair enough. I agree, but within reason.
But allow yourself to dream for one minute. If this kid, who has “ace potential,” dominates A and AA ball and pitches in AAA for the last 3 weeks of the season, ala Joba by the way, why would he not be “in the mix” at least competing for a spot. I know there are a lot of “ifs,” but given how he finished off last season and walked one guy after his first batter faced in 2009, I simply do not think it is as outlandish as you make it sound.
Would you have said the same thing with such conviction about Joba a few years back? Betances probably has more experience now than when Joba was drafted.
Oh yeah, and he’s from Brooklyn!!!!
Betances probably has more experience now than when Joba was drafted.
No, he doesn’t.
Put the Kool-Aid down, I beg you.
Actually genius, he DOES have more experience pitching. Just because you say it doesn’t make it true.
But just because he has been pitching for longer doesn’t mean he is better or further along at that stage.
Betances just turned 21 and had 170 pro innings under his belt coming into this year. When Joba was 21 he had 208 IP to his credit at Nebraska (not counting another 50 or so in the postseason) and was entering his first pro season.
They both started their age 21 season at High-A. I fail to see how Betances has more experience or is further along, because he’s no Joba. Big 12 baseball is no joke, it’s tougher than Low-A.
OK. I stand corrected about the experience. But my point still stands. If his stuff is as good as you and scouts say it is, and if he puts it together in terms of mechanics, I ask why would he not be in the mix and challenge Phil in 2010.
And I respectfully completely disagree that Big 12 baseball is better than low A. If we were being generous, I would guess that only about 15%- 25% of the guys playing in the Big 12 will actually play pro ball at all.
AS I said, there is a difference between experience and development. By every bio I can find, Betences has been pitching for a longer time. He hasn’t been pitching at a higher level. Thus, my distinction. I was merely getting at the sometimes too prevalent notion here that because someone says something in a snarky way, it must be true.
There’s absolutely no chance of Betances being in the ML rotation in 2010. The plan is for him to stay in Tampa the whole year. If he is WAY ahead of schedule there is an outside chance he goes up to Trenton this year, but they’re not going to rush him.
If you’re looking for guys in the system that could potentially challenge Hughes for that 5th spot next year you’re looking at guys like Kennedy, McCallister, Kontos, and Aceves. None of them are likely to beat out Hughes, but its possible. Betances won’t be ready by then. If he is ready by 2011 we should consider ourselves lucky. His control improvements give him a chance to move a little more quickly, but again the Yankees aren’t going to push him unless they have to which shouldn’t be the case with guys like Hughes knocking on the ML door.
Is it me, or has Nunez made an error in like every game he has played?
Edudardo Nunez has made 3 errors, but he’s also been hitting the ball hard. He flew out to the centerfield wall to end the game. The announcers said that he absolutely crushed it.
whoa- there’s another Melky? Is that really a common name?
I didn’t even catch that. That is so weird.
His name is actually “Melquisedec”.
http://www.baseball-reference......211;001mel
Thats even harder phonetically than Melancon..
Melquisedec:Mel-kees-ay-dik?
It’s pronounced “Ned”.
His Momma named him Melquisedec, I’m gonna call him Melquisedec.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melky_Sedeck
So he’s the King of Salem?
Perhaps.
I’m gonna see if I can talk the wife into naming a kid “Melchizedek” once we start havin’ em.
I hoping for twins for you. Melchizedek and Chedorlaomer.
If we have twins, we’re naming them Juan and D’oderwuan.
Lemongello and Orangello will be the names of my little boys.
DUDE, I was just about to say that. Freakonomics?
Walker and Texas Ranger?
(Or, One of the only things I liked about the late Max Kellerman radio show was T-FAG, the Typical Football Analyst Guy. His boys were named Brett and Favre.)
Do you know whether Kennedy actually worked on any of his other pitches like the curveball? Him pitching well is no surprise but I hope it translates.
I think the Yanks have such a log jam and hold on to their guys so long that they lose value. Like Horne was a pretty decent prospect but they held on to him and now he is almost nothing.
so, you would have traded him after EL pitcher of the yr?
They didn’t hold onto Marquez, Ohlendorf, or Karstens too long.
Horne wasn’t trade bait coming off that terrific AA pitcher of the year campaign. Joba hadn’t emerged yet. Hughes and Kennedy were still relative newbies in the minor league system. Aceves was still in Mexico. The upper levels was simply devoid of pitching talent. Horne was expected to make the majors the following year as everybody thought that he had turned it around. Clearly nobody expected a catastrophic shoulder injury. Such is life.
But re: Kennedy… dude is probably going to continue to put up numbers that could convince a NL team that he could be a solid 4/5.
He’s only 24. His number’s are more indicative of a 3/4 maybe even 2 depending on his stats this year. Last year he seemingly was a nibbler and his BB/9 was ridiculously too high. Once he refines his pitches and is confident up in the Bigs, I think he’ll be a quality pitcher.
you can be a quality pitcher and be a slotted as a 4/5 in a rotation. at least i think so. i didn’t mean to demean it.
if you’d never heard of Kennedy , and just looked at his line tonight, you’d think he was as good as Tommy Hanson. He’s not. Kennedy has college polish and we’re still talking about more refinement? Its confidence …. he needs it so bad.
True, but in the NL 4/5 isn’t such a compliment. lol, I think he’ll definitely make it somewhere.
The K rates he puts up in the minors – I’m not convinced he wouldn’t be a 2 in the NL.
I don’t care what velocity his fastball is or what crap he said to the media, I just don’t get why he gets hated on so much, all he does is put up results.
He’s like a stepchild. He was part of “Generation Tre”(lol) and he’s not as shiny as Joba or Philly.
“…all he does is put up results.”
Except, you know, where it actually counts.
WHY THE FUCK IS MY BURRITO TAKING THIS LONG TO COOK IN THIS MICROWAVE?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
With his injury history, and the fact he was a bit old for AA, he wasn’t that good of trade bait, unfortunately for the Yankees and Horne at this point it seems that his potential going forward will continue to be much larger than his value in a trade.
Mike, is there any way to know if Venditte threw from both sides of the mound?
Know, but I assume he did. He’d lose a whole lot of effectively if he suddenly decided to stick with one side.
True, his BAA numbers from both sides were just sick on the island last year.
How much did you drink tonight? lol
Just look to see whether the batters were right handed or left handed and you’ll get your answer.
He did. The hit he gave up was to a right-handed batter. Infield single, close play.
Also, how much more can IPK prove himself in AAA? He’s shown that he dominates minor leaguers but doesn’t (maybe can’t) translate that success to the majors. I’m not giving up on him yet and he’s still young but I hope he’s not a 4A type of pitcher.
His AAA success translated into MLB outs in 2007 and not in 2008. Why does everyone simply forget 2007 when talking about Kennedy?
What have you done for me lately?
I honestly think people just like throwing out the term “AAAA pitcher”
Wasn’t Kennedy’s MLB experience all of 19 innings in September? That’s not much of a sample size of success.
Well, probably because it was only 19 innings and he had a 1.67 K/BB.
I remember remarking on other sites that, while I was impressed with Kennedy, I was really concerned about the 9 walks in 19 innings and everyone just wrote it off.
He was pitching scared and trying to nibble the corners. He’s not the first young pitcher to do that. Sheesh.
I agree with you and I’m not willing to write the guy off; I just thought it was a bit of a red flag, that’s all. We’re saying the same stuff about Aceves now.
Aceves never ever had the ceiling of Kennedy. In terms of prospects, they’re worlds apart.
That’s why I’m less willing to be patient and optimistic with Aceves than I am with Kennedy. In terms of American high-school, college, and minor league pitching, Kennedy’s results are better than some of the very best pitchers in baseball history. That buys you a long prospect rope.
I don’t disagree with you, but Joe Sheehan does. Not that I’d take his word as gospel, but at least one prospect-watcher’s opinion has to carry some weight, right?
No.
Love the Venditte sighting. I know he’s an MLB longshot, but I’d love it if he ever makes it to the Bronx.
It would have to rank up there with Jim Abbott making it to the Majors, wouldn’t it?
Question: would Pat Venditte cut off one of his hands if it meant he could throw as good as Jim Abbott with the one he kept?
I say yes.
A better question might be how many people wouldn’t.
Me too, Ben. That would be a sight, wouldn’t it.
I vote we switch the Brackman watch for a Betances watch. I know I am in the minority, but I am still, to borrow a word, so uninspired by the selection of Brackman in the ’07 draft. I sincerely hope I am wrong, but I don’t see it.
I agree. Brackman is simply too raw. His ceiling may be higher, and he may rocket through the system on the off chance he puts it together, but the simple fact is that at this point, Betances is closer to the majors, and a better bet to reach his ceiling.
His ceiling may be higher, and he may rocket through the system on the off chance he puts it together,
You’re the New York Yankees and you have the 30th pick in the first round of the draft and you have two choices:
Pitcher A is a polished college pitcher with excellent numbers due to impeccable control of 4 average pitches. His ceiling is that of a 4 or 5th starter but his floor is high enough that he can at least be an mlb contributor.
Pitcher B is also a college pitcher but with a spotty record and a history of injuries. He’s a physical specimen at 6’11 but with good athleticism from being a D1 college bball player. He has three plus to plus plus pitches. A 94mph 2seam fastball complements a 98mph 4 seam fastball and he also features a knee buckling knuckle curve. Likely a top 10 pick of not for the impending Tommy John surgery. His ceiling is that of a MLB ace, a right handed randy johnson, his floor is out of baseball, playing bball over in europe somewhere.
Now if you’re the Yankees who do you pick? The safe polished guy whose production can be replicated by a journeyman free agent? Or the guy who could possibly be one of the best pitchers in the game?
And incase you were wondering here’s a list of notable 30th overall picks since 1965
Mike Schmitt
Chris Sabo
Travis Fryman
Brian Jordan
Jack Cust
43 years of picks 1 HOF four decent big leaguers.
While what you said is true and I love Brackman Obama’s crazy upside, it also would have been nice to have one of the following alternative options:
LHP Brett Cecil
SS Justin Jackson
OF Michael Burgess
Your argument that Brackman is “simply too raw” may be valid if the player you were comparing him to wasn’t every bit as raw, if not more, than he is. Dellin is “very much a project” ( http://riveraveblues.com/2009/.....nces-6550/ ) in Mike’s words, and while he also has ace potential (like Brackman), he still needs tons of work also
I realize that Dellin is also raw, but he is younger than Brackman and two levels higher. In terms of the drafting of both players there are key differences. Dellin while raw was a HS kid as well as a 10th round selection. Those two factors mitigate some of the risk.
Dellin’s only one level higher.
You know what I just realized? It’s awesome we can pick and choose which gigantic flamethrowing prospect we like best. I mean seriously how many other farm systems have 2 guys the equivalent of dellin and brackman to choose from? Fuckin great, I love our system. It’s middle of the pack for now but in a year or two we’ll be top 5 easy.
But over 2 years younger. The main thing I like about Dellin over Brackman is that he’s pitched. More innings than Brackman despite being 27 months younger. I know Andrew was playing basketball and then had TJ, but to me he’s almost a total unknown.
A guy can have all the potential in the world, but until you actually do it on the field its just projection.
BTW-I would still have taken Brackman with that 30th pick. Anyone who says otherwise apparently doesn’t get what the Yanks are trying to do.
What don’t you like about the pick?
I just think there were too many risks tied to him.
1- He’s raw. He needs a lot of experience and that’s fine in an 18 year old, not so much in a college junior.
2- Injury risk. Again I am fine with taking an injury waiver on a high cieling talent, but only when that’s his only issue. (ie Joba)
3- The RHP stockpile. Don’t kill me with the 1st round is best talent available regardless of position. I know this, but I feel there were some guys, who might not have had his potential, but were close enough to consider.
1- Yeah he’s raw as all hell but he’s still only 23. Say he takes 4 years in the minors. he’ll be 27/28 when he’s ready is that too old to contribute? Do you have to be unde a certain age to be a dominant pitcher? RJ was a pretty average pitcher until he turned 29 when his ERA+ went from the 108′s to 136, 152, 194, etc etc. Is it really that bad if he doesn’t debut until he’s 28? Plus the kid has demonstrated impressive athleticism being a former D1 hoopster.
2- he was an injury risk, now the dudes back throwing 98 with minimal effort, his arm should be outta the woods.
3- “RHP stockpile” when you have quality pitchers it doesn’t matter what hand they throw with, honestly give me an awesome starter no matter what hand he is. Who cares if your whole system is full of RHP if they’re all good? I certainly don’t.
You make valid points. I just feel like too many things have to fall in place for him to work out. If I were making the selection back in June of 07 I would have gone with Matt Harvey or a College position player. (Julio Borbon probably)
At this point in time we aren’t in a position to see who’s right. Time will tell.
Very true. All I’m saying is with our economic might we can buy halfway decent pitchers/hitters. If brackman sucks then whatever it’s money down the drain the odds were stacked against him anyway. But on the 10% or 15% chance he actually reaches his ceiling he’s a legendary pick for the yanks. A steal if you will.
except he doesn’t get 4 more years to make the major league team. he has to stick in 2012 or be exposed to waivers.
that’s the problem with giving him the ML contract.
(checks calendar)
Yup… it’s still 2009. We’re good.
I don’t agree with your assessment of Brackman , but in 2009, Betances should be the less frustrating watch. I’ll wait till Betances accrues 50 innings in Tampa before I jump all in the “Betances watch” crowd. The mere 2 walks is a positive development … maybe more so than Kennedy’s 11 Ks.
quickly on Brackman though — better athleticism –> better consistency on release points –> better off-speed pitches = more likely to dominate off his better FB
“better consistency on release points ”
Sort of. He showed a smooth, consistent delivery in 2006 and hasn’t shown it since. People think it was because he was hurt in 07, but the reality is he only did it that one year.
What don’t you see? The guys pitched one game professionaly, there’s not even a sample size to judge from.
I am judging the draft pick, hence his professional innings or lack there of do not come into the equation. I am basing my assessment on his college career and scouting reports.
I think its fair to also throw in his Winter ball performance, which was sub par. It wasn’t unexpected, most TJ guys have trouble for a while. But he didn’t hit the ground running like Melancon did.
angel’s announcers saying the red sox are clearly superior to the yankees because of the “depth of their rotation”
this in a game where wakefield is the starter
Lol yea I’m watching that too. The first two innings were great watching Wakefield and his new catcher. If Wake brings the knuckler he has today into the stadium, we will absolutely demolish him.. as we have in recent years.
BUT SMOLTZ IS A FORMER CY YOUNG WINNER!
do you believe he said that? so is bob feller!!!
WHY HASN’T CASH SIGNED BOB FELLER?! CASHMAN, YOU SUCK!
BUT SMOLTZ IS A FORMER CY YOUNG WINNER!
And Hughes is a future Cy Young winner.
So there.
Does anyone else think it’s stupid that the Angels have a knit beanie cap day? That hat doesn’t exactly seem to make sense in SoCal….
Explain the Rally Monkey to me first before you start venturing into the knit beanie cap intellectual thicket.
It’s…
Well…
Um….
You see…
Yeah, I got nothin’.
Why do people even care what the MSM says about the Yankees?
tim lincecum will take one
Ahhh finally! Almost midnight. I’ve been craving my left-over steak all day!
If AJax is tearing it up by the break, do we call him up?
Hughes or Aceves on saturday?
Dellin: ok ok ok ok ok… love it
Venditte!
go DJ, that’s my DJ
After reading the recap, Dellin was even more dominating than I thought. Walked the first guy he faced, who stole 2nd and 3rd and then scored on a grounder. Gave up little to nothing after that, striking out 7 in 6 frames.
Its also obvious that the world’s worst kept secret is Dellin has trouble holding runners on base. They ran on him like crazy. 3 of the 5 men who reached base stole successfully, one of them twice.
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