Sunday, April 15, 2007
Chase Wright?
With Carl Pavano headed to his rightful place, the Yankees were in need of someone to take over his rotation spot. It was just announced that the pitcher to do so will be Chase Wright. Along with a few other guys, Chase Wright was amongst the most impressive invited to Spring Training. His call-up is a result of that as well as his stellar AA performance to begin the year and his position on the 40-man roster.
Wright throws a 2 seam fastball that typically runs 87-90. He used to throw a bit harder and can, from time to time, get his fastball into the low 90s. However, things seem to turn out better for him when he’s working in his comfort zone. Wright’s fastball doesn’t have a TON of movement, but it is by no means straight and he generally does a great job of keeping the ball down. The 24-year-old lefty does a great job of generating groundballs by keeping his fastball low.
In addition to the fastball, Wright throws a changeup and a slurvy breaking ball. Wright’s changeup is regarded as his best pitch. He is usually able to throw it about 10 MPH slower than his fastball and uses it to get whiffs when needed. His breaking ball is a show-me pitch. There are times when it shows flashes of being more, but his command and control of the pitch is too inconsistent for it to be considered more than a fringe offering. When Wright gets in trouble it’s usually because he has fallen behind in the count and has to throw a fastball to get over. The breaking ball is a contributor to this problem.
This season I’ve compared Wright to Ron Villone. I think that he’s a guy with good enough stuff to be a league average pitcher, but he will be held back by his control issues. While he’s only walked 1 in 14 regular season innings thus far, he did walk 6 in 12.2 spring innings. I think Wright might be ready to give the Yankees performance similar to the other guy named Wright that they had in their rotation last year. If the offense plays like it’s supposed to, this might be enough to weather the storm until one of the guys on The Carl Pavano DL Watch is ready, because I have no faith in Carl Pavano’s ability to recover.
Comments
I would hope that any understandable anxiety about his ML debut won’t affect his command.
Why is this guy ahead of Ohlendorf or Clippard?
Yes, I realize this is dick to ask instead of checking out your past articles, but I am just way too lazy right now.
He has pitched the most effectively to this point, especially with regard to Ohlendorf.
Why is this guy ahead of Ohlendorf or Clippard?
He had to be placed on the 40 man roster because of how long he’s been in the organization. Clippard and Ohlendorf are not on the 40 man roster, so a move would have to be made to get them up.
Plus, as Rich says, he’s been more effective than anyone else in the organization, although he’s doing in AA, not AAA.
CP, the Yankees are going with the hot hand, especially since he is already on the 40-man roster and Clippard, for instance, is not.
I was in the middle of typing what would have been the first comment on this thread yesterday when Mo gave up the HR, alas.
Anyway, I have a question for you, Fabian, regarding Wright - is it very unusual that Wright has a good changeup but has trouble commanding his breaking ball?
I’m asking, I guess, because I’ve been under the impression that it is generally harder for young pitchers to learn how to change speeds than to command their breaking pitches - though I’d suppose a pitcher without a reliably powerful fastball might have to learn to change speeds early on in order to survive.
thanks.
Fabian and all, off topic but what is happening with Betances? I looked for his numbers at Charleston but didn’t find them. And does the CGL get a later start? Thanks in advance.
Another great day for Tabata. 2 for 4 with a triple and SB. Up to .400 now. Do you see him at Trenton before long. Another question - I saw his weight listed at 160. Is he still at 160? That sounds pretty puny. Thanks.
tothejailer, I have no idea whether that is actually a strange thing, but just off the top of my head, I wouldn’t think so.
philco, Betances is in extended spring training and will likely be debuting when the Staten Island season begins in June. I’ve been impressed with Tabata’s hitting as well, but I am a bit concerned at his strikeout rate.
Thanks Rich, SG and Fabian. I hope to get to see this guy pitch. Once upon a time, Ron Villone was a better then terrible starter (IIRC).
How long until Miranda is up in the majors? I feel like he could be a very useful player off the bench at first since he can play both first and corner outfield positions. Anyone have any info on his defense?
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