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Thursday, April 19, 2007

Phil Gets Going

AAA:

In his start against Syracuse, Phil Hughes seemed to emerge from his early season slumber. Sitting around 93 and touching 95, Hughes was able to dominate the lineup of the Toronto AAA club. In 6 innings, Hughes struck out 10 and generated 6 groundball outs while keeping hitters at bay. Hughes’ primary weapon on this day was his fastball command. He was able to place the ball wherever he wished, especially down and in to both right and left-handed hitters. Not to be forgotten was the curveball and change-up. The curveball was excellent on this night, but he pitched off of the fastball due to the outstanding command of it that he had. The command of the fastball extended to change-up command on this night and it was a preview of what might if/when Hughes puts it all together. As a result, these hitters could not get wood on the ball, if they got wood on the ball at all. Hughes was consistent throughout the game and only left after 6 innings due to the Yankees playing it safe with him.

Eric Duncan was solid at the plate. He only managed to pick up a single in 4 at bats, but one of his fly outs was the type of connection that would have left the ballpark during the summer, according to the announcers. Alberto Gonzalez, on the other hand, had an entirely frustrating night, which is atypical to this point. Gonzalez was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

AA:

Rained out.

A+:

In a cruel scheduling twist of fate, the Tampa Yankees had an early game today following their 20-inning marathon the previous night. Juan Miranda was awake enough to go 1 for 4 with a single and Colin Curtis obviously had some Starbucks as he was 1 for 2 with a single and 2 walks. Miranda, thus far, has not separated himself into the boom or bust categories as he has just been ok in the early going. The same can be said for Colin Curtis.

A-:

At Charleston the lineup was switched around in hopes of sparking some run scoring. The early returns aren’t that great with only 1 run and 6 hits being produced today, but it was enough for the win. Josue Calzado was 1 for 3 with a strikeout, Wilmer Pino was 2 for 5 with 2 singles, and Mitch Hilligoss was 1 for 3 with 2 walks, on the positive end. On the negative was Seth Fortenberry who was 1 for 4 with a walk, 2 strikeouts, Eduardo Nunez was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts, and Jose Gil was 0 for 4 with a strikeout. Fortenberry, to this point in his career, seems like a very streaky hitter.