Why can’t Clippard fix whatever mechanical and/or confidence problems he has been having and get back on track? He’s only 22. I don’t believe that his start on May 20th against the Mets was a fluke. One step back, two steps forward.

I don’t think Clippard is done at all, with the Yankees.  This may just be similar to what happened to Karstens last year; struggled some at AAA, was demoted to Trenton, and after dominating there for a while was promoted back up.  Shortly thereafter, on the Yankees and was expected to contribute to the ML club this year.

I expect Clippard to quickly work out his problems.  There may be a logjam at AAA for him to overcome this year, but by next he’ll be back at Scranton, and I’m sure have another chance to pitch for the Yanks.

I’m still calling it.  Kennedy will pitch in the Bronx this year.

Any word on Kennedy’s velocity?  Some reports had him touching 94.

I think 88-92, maybe a high of 94.  Fabian would know better than I.

Was Cippard performing poorly at AAA?

He had some sick numbers in AA in ‘06, and flashes of goodness in the show this year, so I hope whatever problems he’s having don’t push him off track at all to be a decent MLB starter.

I’m thinking he could end up being at least as good as Lilly, who struggled in his first few years before becoming a number 2-3 starter. Clippard could have a lower ceiling but get there faster.

Was Cippard performing poorly at AAA?

yeah, he hasn’t been doing too well.

A Ryan Bradley reference? That deserves applause; it’s not often you get to make one of those.

I’m sure the Chase/Clip demotions won’t last very long. Once Hughes and Karstens are done rehabbing, they’ll go back up and fill the empty rotation spots. The upper levels are very crowded right now, and that’s a good thing.

Once Hughes and Karstens are done rehabbing, they’ll go back up and fill the empty rotation spots.

Good point. I only expect one of the two to be in the bigs though.

SG is correct about Kennedy’s velocity this year, BTW.

link

Rated the seventh-best Yankees prospect by Baseball America, Clippard was 3-2 with a 2.72 ERA in eight games before heading to the majors, where he went 3-1 with a 6.33 ERA, earning the win in his major-league debut on national television at Shea Stadium.

“It’s just a matter of finding consistency with my fastball,” said Clippard, who was 1-2 with a 6.07 ERA in his return to Triple-A.

“I am a little unorthodox as far as my mechanics go, so if I get a little out of whack, it gets magnified more than other guys. A lot of it is a learning process—on the mental side of things as well. I am going to get this thing ironed out and get back to form.”