A three-man no-no in Tampa
By · CommentsWhile the Yanks won another game in the late innings due to Alex Rodriguez and Andy Phillips heroics, the Yankees’ farm system provided plenty of fodder for us today. Joe did a fantastic job covering the Phil Hughes Rehab Extravaganza, but the other big story of the day for the Yankees came out of Tampa.
Tonight, Kevin Whelan, David Robertson and Joshua Schmidt combined for a no-hitter against the Jupiter Hammerheads. Whelan, in Tampa working to become a starting pitcher, threw 5 innings of near-perfect baseball. He surrendered 1 walk and struck out 4 to start the no-hit bid. Robertson threw 2 innings, giving up 2 walks and striking out 3. Schmidt closed out the last two innings, also giving up 2 walks and striking out 3.
Offensively, Jose Tabata went 2-for-4 with an RBI, and Francisco Cervelli‘s double drove in the other two runs.
In other Yankees Minor League news, Jairo Heredia went 5 innings for the GCL Yanks. He gave up 2 hits and 1 run while walking a pair and striking out 8. Sounds like a good day overall for the Yanks’ farm system.
Meanwhile, in Mike’s absence, you all should feel free to add any other stand-out performances to the comments. I didn’t have time to do a full DotF post tonight.
Cashman: we have a plan
By · CommentsCashman just spoke to the media on hand. He basically said what we expected: they have a strict plan for Phil, and they’re not going to deviate from it.
He didn’t say it specifically, but this is definitely what he meant: Phil will have two starts in Scranton. He said they’re going to get him to 100 pitches before they even consider sending him up, so the 75 he’ll throw Monday won’t be enough.
He also seemed quite elated at a Juan Miranda question. Don’t rule him out being the starting first baseman next year.
ByWhat up, y’all? Betcha never thought I’d be up in the press box, huh? Got here a lil late, but got to see some Phil. We just got out of a press conference with him, and then a quick one with Billy Connors. We’ll see what I can find after the game. Sitting next to Tony Gicas of The Bronx Block, so at least I’m not the only blogger here. · (4) ·
ByOkay, so way back in the Oakland series, the
assholessecurity at Yankee Stadium had barred the chanting of “Box seats suck!” For what reason, we do not know. It was probably some tightwad complaining. Anyway, reports are in (thanks, MG) that the chant was back in full force last night. Long live the bleacher creatures! · (12) ·
Perfect night for the Yanks farm system
By · CommentsI’m trying to fill in for Mike while he goes through the wedding hoopla. Thing is, I’m headed out for vacation on Thursday. Funny how things work: Mike leaves San Diego for his honeymoon as I fly in for vacation. And Ben’s out in Cali on a stadium tour. You can’t make this up.
Anyway, onto the scores.
Triple-A Scranton (12-1 win over Indianapolis – beat this fat fuck)
Brett Gardner: 3 for 6, 1 3B, 1 K, 3 RBI – too bad we already have two center fielders in the Bronx
Justin Christian: 2 for 5
Angel Chavez: 2 for 5, 1 2B, 1 RBI – .313/.354/.468 for the season, .366 with 2 doubles and 2 homers in his last 10 games
Eric Duncan: 0 for 3 – le sigh
Chase Wright: 5.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 7 BB, 3 K – 7 walks?!? He now has more walks than strikeouts in AAA – 38-42
TJ Beam: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 BB, 3 K – betcha he’s up in August
Read nothing into Cashman’s comments
By · CommentsNothing warms my heart better than typing the next three words: Great win tonight. The Yanks overcame Roy Halladay and Kyle Farnsworth to win a thrilling game. They shaved a game off the Red Sox lead and held steady in the Wild Card. Things are clicking.
Today, I would like you all to reserve the Kyle Farnsworth insults for the comments on this post. Instead, as Phil Hughes prepares for another Minor League rehab start, let’s talk about what Brian Cashman said yesterday afternoon.
As Peter Abraham noted last night, the Yanks’ GM spoke a bit about Kei Igawa’s spot on the rotation as Phil Hughes’ return comes closer. Cashman claims that Kei Igawa has been hurt by his irregular spot in the rotation and that Hughes has nothing guaranteed. “Until he’s ready it’s not something we have to consider. He’s not guaranteed anything,” Cashman told the Yanks’ reporters.
Now, let’s get one thing straight: Phil Hughes will always be a better pitching option than Kei Igawa. Kei Igawa won’t magically stop giving up home runs if he starts getting on a regular work schedule. He won’t find a way to make 115 pitches last 8 innings instead of 5 innings, and he won’t magically find a way to get out Major League hitters.
That being said, Brian Cashman here is doing his job as General Manager. He isn’t going to throw Igawa to the wolves even though we know Igawa will end up with the wolves if Hughes returns healthy and ready to go. He can’t say that, yes, Kei Igawa has just two more starts left in the Bronx this year. Considering that Kei Igawa is under contract for four more years, the Yanks won’t be as tactless as to cut him loose now.
Plus, as Abraham later noted, no 21-year-old is ever guaranteed a spot in the rotation based upon his work in 10.2 Major League innings. We know what Hughes can do; we saw it in Texas on the night his hamstring popped. For now, Hughes doesn’t automatically get that spot.
But know this, readers: Phil Hughes will be back in the Yankee rotation if he aces his last two rehab tests. Cashman will be on hand today in Trenton, and if Phil delivers the goods, as I expect him to, Cashman will say to himself at least that Igawa is gone. So don’t despair; Cashman is simply tending to his sheep. As the Yankees’ shepherd, that’s his job.
ByKyle Farnsworth, “experienced” reliever, just came into a 1-1 game. Three batters later, the score turned in the Blue Jays’ favor. This overpaid piece of crap’s continued presence in close games is the number one reason why Joe Torre shouldn’t be managing and why his managerial decisions are going to cost the Yankees a playoff spot this year. The pieces are there; the strategist on the bench is not. · (20) ·
ByCheck out who the Yanks signed. The Yanks have had some success signing Indy guys recently (Justin Christian, Scott Patterson, and the great Edwar Ramirez come to mind), so lets not write this guy off an organizational player just yet. · (2) ·
Hughes or Joba?
By · CommentsThis is a couple of days old, so you may have seen it already. My bad for missing it.
Anywho, John Sickels asks a pretty interesting question over at his blog:
True or False:
Joba Chamberlain will win more major league games in his career than Phil Hughes. Discuss.
I recommend checking out the discussion in the comments, there’s some good stuff there.
As for me, I say FALSE because, well, Hughes is the better pitcher. His control is better, his command is better, his secondary stuff is better, he’s been healthier (Phil’s had some pretty fluky injuries), and I like his delivery better. Hughes has a chance to have one of those “15+ wins a year for 15 straight years” kind of runs. That said, Joba’s got a chance to do some serious damage, like 250+ K in a year.
Long story short, I think Hughes has a longer career with more wins, while Joba has a greater peak with more “holy crap” moments. Â
