Brackman struggles in return
ByOne year today on DotF, Jesus Montero finished second to Florida’s Mike Stanton in the South Atlantic League Homerun Derby with eleven dingers.
Infielder Carlos Mendoza retired and will join the Short Season Staten Island coaching staff.
Triple-A Scranton was washed out. They’re going to try to play two tomorrow, but the weather isn’t supposed to be any better.
Double-A Trenton (7-4 loss to Connecticut)
Austin Krum: 0 for 3, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K
Reegie Corona: 1 for 2, 1 R, 1 2B, 2 BB
Eduardo Nunez: 2 for 4, 1 R, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 1 E (fielding) – 8 for his last 21 (.381)
Chris Malec: 1 for 3
Jesus Montero: 1 for 4, 1 RBI, 1 CS – still waiting for that first AA XBH
Marcos Vechionacci: 1 for 4, 1 R, 1 3B, 1 K, 1 E (fielding)
Ivan Nova: 6.1 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 1 WP, 1 Balk, 12-2 GB/FB – 6 ER allowed in his last 38 IP (1.42 ERA)
Kanekoa Texeira: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, 1 HB, 2-3 GB/FB – stranding both inherited runners
Amaury Sanit: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, 2-1 GB/FB
High-A Tampa‘s game was postponed due to lightning. This is Palm Beach’s last trip inito town this year, so I’m guessing they’ll play two tomorrow.
Low-A Charleston (7-2 loss to Augusta)
Jose Pirela: 0 for 5, 1 R, 1 K – 2 for his last 17 (.118) after an 8 for 15 (.533) stretch
Abe Almonte: 1 for 4, 1 R, 2 K
David Adams: 0 for 2, 1 BB, 1 HBP
Dan Brewer: 0 for 3, 1 BB, 3 K – no contact day
Melky Mesa, Mike Lyon, Addison Maruszak & Ray Kruml: all 1 for 3 – Mesa drew a walk, drove in a run & K’ed … Lyon was hit by a pitch, drove in a run & K’ed … Maruszak & Kruml each drew a walk … Maruszak committed a fielding error
Andrew Brackman: 3 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, 2 HB, 1-3 GB/FB – first start since June 5th … another frustrating outing, but if nothing else I guess all the hits mean he was at least around the plate, right?
Charles Nolte: 3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 WP, 3-4 GB/FB – huh, didn’t even realize he got demoted
Brad Rulon: 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 2-1 GB/FB
80 Comments»
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The Mason Williams Watch
Isn’t Brackman a little old for the A league? So he’ll make his major league debut when hes 27 and out of options because Cashman gave him a major league deal like a moron.
You’re right, move him up to an age appropriate level because he’s clearly ready for it. That’s the best thing for his development.
Yawn.
I dont agree that he should be moved up immediately, but i do agree with Lanny’s point that the major league deal was unnecessary. For Brackman to become a solid prospect, he would have to jump at least a level a year, rather than staying at one level for one year like other people have the luxury of doing. The fact remains, he WILL be 27 when he makes his debut and his prime years will be spent learning how to pitch in the major leagues. I dont mind him being in our farm because he has lots of potential, but cmon, any general manager can see that he didnt deserve $3.5 million, let alone a major league contract! Boras-negotiation FAIL
3.5 million might as well be a dollar or ten million dollars it doesn’t matter. What matters is this kid has a small chance to be a very special pitcher and he should be afforded every chance to reach that level.
Usually guys in their first season of professional baseball start out in Low A, especially after sitting the previous season out with major arm surgery.
You honestly think Brackman will make the Major Leagues????
Hey!
Flip that damn burger!
Brackman would not have signed without a major league deal. What would you rather have, Brackman, or nothing? Is that you, Steve?
Nothing. Take the compensation pick and walk.
ehhh, the dude was in his senior college year with rampant speculation of his health(that turned out to be true) , i don’t think he had huge leverage there.
I am most intrigued by Ivan Nova. His groundball rates are getting ridiculous.
I was hoping Brackman would grab the billing as the top pitching prospect in the organization, but these game performances are head-scratching. I don’t think he’s gone 5 innings ONCE since his 8 inning gem last month. Brackman’s logged 65 innings already. Are the Yanks likely to shut him down at 120? He’s not a kid anymore so the IP watch might not be needed.
I know it would be nice to see Brackman beasting people, but I may be of the minority who just wants him to pitch around 100-120 innings and be healthy this year. And focus on results next year. Even though he went to college, he is extremely raw, and I for one just want to see him healthy and working on his mechanics etc.
Mike, obviously the results aren’t great, but have you heard anything about Brackman’s stuff?
BA had a blurb on him that his stuff was down a bit, but nothing major.
I’m starting to get irrationally frustrated w/Brackman. Someone calm me down.
That woman your dating is actually your Grandmother, who was thought to be lost at sea, but hey, you get your Grandmother back!
/blank stare
FAIL! FACE PALM!
His first year of pro ball. He has a lot of moving parts to perfect. I am sure he can’t repeat a good motion thoughout a game. Maybe not even in a string of innings.
First sentence = calming. The rest? Not so much.
Is Brackman even going to be a good pitcher or is he just highly regarded because he’s a big fella?
He apparently has no control.
Umm well the Yankees aopparently thought so when they drafted him. Jury’s still out though.
apparently apparently.
Well he is 23 and still pitching in Low-A. Injuries have set him back. I’m not sure when it’s time to label him a bust.
Most definitely not halfway through his first season. How about after a few years of ineffective pitching?
DUDE IS 23! If it takes him 2 more years.. HEALTHY years to work his way through the rest of the farm, he would be 25/26. Like I said, not taking into account any potential injuries.
Who cares if he doesn’t debut until he’s 25/26? He’ll still have PLENTY of good years ahead of him to pitch in the bigs.
Hopefully, if he gets there.
If he gets there, which is absolutely NOT a guarantee.
Ok. Thanks for the commentary. You love jumping on people don’t you. Can’t be optimistic or not optimistic without a snide comment with “V” can you?
:yawn:
And?
You DO realize that Hughes and Joba are exceptions, not the norm, right?
An injury. An injury that was known when he was drafted.
I have read injuries. Elbow injuries.
Any since he started his career?
He’s started his career? They pretty much drafted a kid with tons of mechanical flaws. He’s 23 and pretty much JUST starting his career. He has absolutely no control from what we see.
And?
Maybe you should stop commenting on prospects. You obviously don’t realize that A) this guy has a LOT of talent, and B) the reason he wasn’t drafted in the top 5 picks is because he’s a project.
Pitchers, especially pitchers with less than 150 LIFETIME INNINGS, ESPECIALLY 6′ 10″ pitchers with less than 150 lifetime innings, don’t tend to come back from Tommy John surgery with pinpoint fucking control.
I’m not going to stop commenting. You’re just on a bandwagon that hasn’t taken off yet. I want Brackman to pitch well but it’s of concern when hes coming off TJ surgery, is 23, in Low-A, velocity is low and his control is of obvious issue. I’ll see you tomorrow when you find out he’s DL’d
I’m not on a bandwagon. I’m merely questioning whether you have any clue what goes into developing pitchers, given you seem to have some type of expectation that the d00d would pull a Joba on the minors.
No, but this kid had major surgery and it’s of a mega concern.
It’s of a mega concern that he had a rather common surgery? Huh?
If he pitches 100-120 innings without getting hurt, I’ll consider 2009 to be a success for him.
You start worrying about performance in 2010.
OK, you want Brackman to pitch well. we all do. When he doesn’t pitch well, you bitch quite well. what does that prove?
Apparently brack was only sitting 85-87 with the FB today. Gotta be post TJ dead arm.
Source?
O shit, now im starting to get a little scared.
Why?
Pitchers get dead arm. It happens. Especially this soon after Tommy John.
Are you Brackman’s lover?
Sorry I had to.
It’s been 18 months. It’s not like the guys had TJ 10 months ago.
Wow, we have the wonder twins here tonight. You might want to stop following prospects. I can already hear it, if Slade Heathcott’s not in the majors by 2011, he’ll be a bust.
You did?
That’s a pretty major drop off even if Brackman’s velo is still down in the 91-92 range. I’d want to send Brackman to see a doctor though. Its a cause for concern – look at kyle gibson.
maybe he wasn’t throwing side sessions during his brief lay off. you don’t know shit.
A guy playin a guy disgused as another guy.
just saw Wang on post game interview… he looks really happy at the birth of his new baby and he was speaking english pretty well too. i have a gut feeling wang’s gonna step it up soon.
I feel the same way. Today was a big step forward for him.
Hows the baby? “Very cute”… with an ear to ear smile. I’m happy for Wanger. I want great things to come.
“He looks like me”
{Insert asian joke here}
The yankees knew the risk when they drafted him. hte upside is still there even if he has bad games. I mean look at johan right now. relax guys he is a high upside/risk pick and these things happen. we have plenty of starting pitching depth right now and there is no need to rush brackman. I agree that pitching 120 innings would be an accomplishment in itself. then you shut him down and he comes back strong next year.
if anyone is interested, they are having something on austin jackson on yankee magazine on YES after these commercials… i’ll write a brief review for anyone that misses it.
good heads up, got it just in time.
Awesome heads up. Kudos dude.
Nothing too interesting but some small tidbits to show A Jackson’s growth.
AAA Batting Coach Butch Wynegar says Action doesn’t have much power yet but says Action drives inside pitches out to right field well, which is rare at a young age.
Action also said he’s been focusing on base running. He’s projected at about 30+ sbs in AAA this season… looks like it’s been working out.
Also, watching his swing, he looked a lot like a righty Robbie Cano during his batting practice swings. I know a lot of us talk about Jackson’s lack of power, but with more time, experience and strength training, 20+ hrs isn’t out of question especially with our short right field.
I might get shit for saying this, but when Derek Jeter retires, Jackson might replace his offensive production for at least a few years with a good avg, above average obp, average power and good base running. We can all agree Jackson has a boatload of potential, but we do doubt how close he’ll reach to it. At this point, he’s gotta be considered a better prospect than Cameron Maybin was around 2008.
Being as good a hitter as Jeter? That’s a tall order.
im not trying to insinuate that we need to start making a plaque for him at monument wall, but it’s not too far of a stretch to say that Action can be a 300/380/450 25sb player in his prime. He’s been relatively healthy and has shown no serious health issues, shoulder, knee, back or mental so I think he should have a long career.
Combine 300/380/450/120s in prime + long career + ability to drive inside balls to right field = http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player....._id=116539
Action has shown huge growth in his game statistically while at Tampa and Scranton and I feel like there’s so much more to his game then we see just by looking at his stats on a nightly basis. He’s basically started playing competitive ball while others at his age have gone through childhood years of competitive baseball, from little league to college, and he’s basically ripped through professional baseball with little experience and basically raw talent. I’m not hyping him to be our Upton brother or Grady… he’s not even on the same level as Rasmus or Bruce… but Action is definitely going to be a solid major league player. I have no doubts about that now.
i never said he’ll be as good a hitter. i just know he’ll put up the numbers like jeter does. i hope that makes sense?
What are you doing to me A-Bracks?
According to Minor League Splits, Nova has a 63% ground ball percentage for this year. Wow.
I wasn’t taking him too seriously as a potential future major leaguer due to the poor K/BB ratio, but faced with that, I may have to reconsider.
Yeah I was definitely down on him coming into this season, especially since the yanks left him unprotected for Rule V draft. Maybe he turned a corner for good…. who knows, it would sure be nice if he did.
Hey guys, first time poster. You guys have a great board.
If I can take any solice away from Brack at this point is the fact that it took Randy Johnson a while to figure out his release point, control, and makeup at the same point in his career. NOT COMPARING players, but I think this year is just a break in year for Brack. IF the results are the same next season then I think it will be time to push the panic button. Remember, if he gets to the bigs when he is 26 and can be a solid pitcher for 8 or 9 years ill take it.
thanks for the comforting words but randy johnson has also said that it’s a nightmare for a guy of his height to learn to repeat his delivery. i’m fairly certain big unit’s the exception and not the norm, but i’m all for giving brackman the time he needs to figure it out.
Jon Rauch have had a few solid seaon (albeit mostly as a reliever.) as well. and guys like Mark Henderson and Jeff Nieman of the Rays have more or less had certain degree of sucess in the bigs.
Yes it takes bigger guys longer to figure out, but there have been more than a case or two of this.
Don’t forget Chris Young of the Padres. I think he’s 6’10”.
There’s no panic necessary when it comes to Brackman. Would it be nice to have him as a starting pitcher in the major leagues? Yes. Is it necessary for the team’s success? No.
Brackman’s the kind of guy you give all the time in the world to, because if he ever figures ‘it’ out, he’s dynamite. He’s pitched half a season so far, and people are starting to talk about the panic button?
Get a grip, people. He may not pitch great this year. Maybe not even next year. He’s a project, and projects take time. So relax, and meanwhile enjoy the other bountiful fruit of the Yankee farm. Jackson, Montero, McAllister, Robertson, Melancon are the headliners.
Big Unit didn’t get his walks down below 100 until he was 25 or 26. The only frustrating thing is Brackman was drafted as a big guy with clean mechanics, and he’s shown to have anything but.
The mechanics issue might be a product of his long layoff from TJ surgery. He might be trying to figure things out and I’d rather be figure them out at this level than be pushed with poor mechanics and poorer results.
Sorry to add this onto your reply Artist, but while he is 23, everyone needs to remember that the stress on his shoulder is a lot less then most 23 year old pitchers, even someone comparable like Chris Young of the Padres. Young gave up hoops b/c of Ivy League rules and had at least one year of baseball-only training; I don’t believe Brackman had that option. So while he’s 23, his pitching acumen and off-field training is equivilant of, what, a college sophomore?
The problem is percentages. Fact is, he is unlikely, from a statistical probability standpoint, to succeed. He just is. It’s OK, it’s fine, don’t give up on him, but there are many minor leaguers currently pitching for the Yanks that have a higher probability of major league success. He is also even less likely to have the kind of success everyone seems to want, top of the rotation pitcher.
Could he be Randy Johnson? Yes. Would I bet on it? No.
One last thing – age does matter. Look a the aces (not guys who have had some success, but top of the rotation guys) in the majors now and in the past – and you will find very, very few that made their major league debut (threw their first pitch in the majors) at 24 or older. The ONLY one I can think of is Johnson.