---

Monday, May 21, 2007

The Morning After

Injuries/News:

My child, I’ve watched you grow up to be famous
And now I smile like a proud dad, watchin his only son that made it
-NaS

In case anyone missed it, Tyler Clippard won his major league debut last night with a line of 6-3-1-1-3-6-1 (IP-H-R-ER-BB-K-HR). Clippard, in my admittedly biased opinion, looked good. Good enough to go on to a career of posting league average ERAs and 200 innings, which is really all it takes to be a number 3. Good enough to perhaps count as one of the 100 or so best prospects in baseball. He managed to make that impression despite not having the command of his change-up that he typically does. The fastball and curveball were about what one can expect from him going forward, but the change-up should be better. What was impressive was that he was able to recognize that and shy away from the pitch even though it is a bread and butter pitch for him. Given injuries and the like, Clippard is the Yankee number 4 starter and, really, should be in the rotation until Hughes comes back because he is more talented than any other replacement we’ve seen this year. Prior to him, DeSalvo was the most talented and Clippard is DeSalvo with a better curveball, better control, and more deceptive delivery.

As far as injuries, Angel Reyes is now on the disabled list for Charleston, no word as to why.

AAA:

Eric Duncan and Alberto Gonzalez were a combined 4 for 9 with a walk and a strikeout. Surprisingly, the walk and strikeout both belonged to Gonzalez who was also caught stealing. Duncan has struck out just twice in his last 36 at bats, but has only 2 hits to show for it. After walking twice in his first 110 at bats, Gonzalez has walked 5 times in his last 30 as his OBP edges closer and closer to .300.

AA:

In my last recap I mentioned that Jeff Marquez was due to receive some ERA correction and yesterday it began, 4.1-8-5-5-4-1-0. Jeff’s ERA now stands at 2.75, which, for this Trenton staff, is terrible. I expect Marquez to start getting some more strikeouts shortly because just about everything I’ve heard from people who’ve seen him pitch this year is that he is throwing the ball very well.

A+:

Speaking of throwing the ball well, Ian Kennedy was brilliant once again for Tampa, 7-5-0-0-2-9-0. Kennedy upped his record to 5-1 and lowered his ERA to 1.24. At this point, I think he’s about 1 start away from AA, if he isn’t promoted before then. Supposedly, Kennedy’s velocity has gone from the mid to high 80s of 2006 back to his sophomore year high 80s low 90s level. At that velocity, Kennedy is a far more interesting prospect.

Colin Curtis had his first good game in forever. The LF was 2 for 3 with a double and a walk. Marcos Vechionacci picked up his first hit since returning from injury as he would go 1 for 4 and Jose Tabata finally reached .300 by going 2 for 4, but still no signs of power. The most surprising news of the game was that not only was Francisco Cervelli 0 for 4, but he was 0 for 4 with 3 strikeouts.

A-:

No game scheduled.

Spotlight On:

Joba attempting to follow Kennedy’s masterpiece so that he can put himself in position to be promoted at the same time.