Saturday, April 7, 2007
Hughes’ AAA Debut
4.6.07 Review:
Phil Hughes made his AAA debut last night and did so in impressive fashion. He worked in the low 90s with his fastball and spotted it to the corners and was able to go to his curveball for swings and misses as well. While Nardi Contreras was recently quoted as saying he’s impressed with how much Hughes’ changeup has advanced this past spring, I wasn’t able to confirm or deny that because Hughes didn’t go to the pitch that much. He might have just been trying to keep it simple for his AAA debut. Another thing I picked up on Hughes was that he seemed focus to get the out at 2nd whenever the ball was tapped back to him and there was a runner on first. For the most part, this strategy worked out last night, but I’m not sure how great of a tendency this is. After all, the last thing we need is to endanger The Hitting Machine™.
Also impressing in the Scranton game was Eric Duncan. Duncan was only 1 for 4 in the box score, but the 1 was an impressive home run to right-center field. In addition, in the at bat prior to the homer, Duncan hit a long fly ball to left-center field. Every at bat was a quality one and Duncan is looking good thus far in 2007. I was once again pleased with his defensive play.
Alberto Gonzalez had another nondescript afternoon with the most noteworthy moment being the 4 pitch walk he drew in his first plate appearance. The odds of this happening again are probably not great. His two hits were also of the right place at the right time variety as he hit one off of the 2B, which was a play that could have been made, and the other was a tapper.
Around The Minors:
Elsewhere in the minors, Jeff Marquez started his season off with 5 no-hit innings before finally giving in in the 6th. I was very encouraged by the start for Marquez as I have him rated higher than everyone else and as long as he keeps his walks in check, I feel confident he’ll make me look good.
Ian Kennedy made short work of the competition in Tampa, striking out 8 in 5 innings and really, he should not be long for Tampa. I expect him to consistently put up big strikeout totals in the FSL until the Yankees promote him. Most noteworthy, for me at least, will be his GB:FB ratio. He’s supposedly been working on a 2-seamer.
Jose Tabata continues to dominate in the early going as he was 3 for 4 with a triple and a strikeout. It’s early, but Tabata looks like he wants to make good on his goal of reaching Trenton and proving, by the end of the year, that he can hit big league pitching.
Austin Jackson showed off his newfound power in Charleston last night going 2 for 4 with a double and a home run. The double was to center and the home run was to left-center.
Spotlight On:
You could go with Scranton, where Ross Ohlendorf is making his system debut. At the same time, you could go with Tampa where Joba should be making his full-season debut. The choice is yours. I’m more interested in Joba, I think.
Comments
What speed does Hughes’ fastball top off at?
Typically, 96. Last night 93.
Tabata wants to hit big league pitching by the end of the year? If they add him to the 40 this season, wouldn’t that mean he would be a full FA at 25, instead of 26?
Fabian, what was your take on Whelan and Claggett?
Didn’t see or listen to their outings, but good box scores.
Was at Ohlendorf’s game today. Only stayed for 5 innings (missed Duncan’s HR by an inning), because it was COLD. I showed up with four-layers of clothing on, and bought layer #5 (SWB Yankees sweatshirt), and was STILL cold.
Ohlendorf looked okay, but not great. He let up 3 runs in 5 innings (haven’t checked yet if he pitched the sixth), and had some walks. Early on, he was really popping the mitt. I was sitting in one of about 20 seats where you couldn’t see the MPH reading on the scoreboard, so that’s the most I can say about his fastball.
Sardinha bailed him out a couple of times. Second batter of the game hit a single to right and tried to stretch it, but a nice throw to second got him. Top of the fourth, bases loaded 1 out and a fly was hit to medium right field. Run scored, but Sardinha threw a laser to third, to get that runner.
Duncan had one nice play at first on a popup bunt he had to make a running catch on (kinda over the shoulder), and another play that he *might* have been able to make on a grounder that got by him. I was too far away to tell if he should have it it, but I believe it was ruled a single.
Found out my wife took the camera with her to my in-laws, so I took some pictures on the camera-phone. So first I have to figure out how to get them onto my computer, and then I have to see if they are worthy of posting. Didn’t look too good on the cell-phone, but we’ll see.
Next entry: 4/7/07 - Baltimore Orioles (1-3) at New York Yankees (1-2) - 1.05 pm (Liveblog)
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