Hughes' velocity was down in his second start in terrible conditions. Let's trade him! :lol: I always think it's funny that every single year, people get concerned early in the season when a pitcher's velocity is down. Does everyone realize how hard it is to consistently throw that hard when it's so cold? I almost wish Hughes was traded for Santana. If diehard fans are going to overreact on such a disgustingly high level, I can't imagine what the casual fans are thinking. As smart as Cashman's plan is, NYC might not be smart enough to let him go thru with it.
Wow, that's pretty rad. That also means your childhood friend was my lefty-off-the-bench in MVP Baseball 2005.
Hey now, I'm not overreacting here. Hughes is my favorite player on the team, and my favorite to come along since Mattingly. I'm glad the Yanks kept him and believe that it will work out best for the team in the long run (without hurting them too much in the short run, either). That said, I do have some concerns that have NOTHING to do with whether a Santana trade was made or not. Normally, I would chalk it up to the weather, too. In fact, that was what I figured for the first start, when he was sititng at 90-91 (down from his ST velocity). And Hughes definitely didn't look comfortable out there today. BUT... the same gun was showing Ohlendorf at 94-95 (where he usually is) and Bannister at 88-89 (where he usually is, as well). So I'm wondering if it's something more. That's all. Aiming the ball because he couldn't locate? Injury? Something else? Whatever it is, I hope it's addressed, though. Because this isn't the pitcher that was firing 93-94 in his last spring training start a couple of weeks ago. And losing 4-5mph is a significant decrease. Heckuva lot harder to miss bats. And jon boy, you're not seeing four plus pitches today because Hughes wasn't even locating his fastball. He threw some curves, and maybe one changeup, but that's it. He couldn't get anything over the plate. When that curve is on, it's sick. You've seen it. Not consistently this year, but you've seen it. His change is very good as well. His slider is supposedly his second-best pitch, but he put it away at the Yanks' request to work on the other pitches. I don't think he's thrown it very much. And his fastball... well... that's the one I'm not sure about at the moment. But honestly, with Hughes, the book was never "four plus pitches." It was an above average fastball with plus-plus control, a plus slider, a plus curve, and a developing (but already above average) changeup. It was his command of all of his pitches that had him standing out so high above from the rest. Pretty obvious he didn't have that command today.
no doubt his curve is his best pitch. And I guess the fastball if located properly sets it up nicely. I am just a little nervous here. This kid is supposed to be lights out-I wanna see lights out on April 8th. as far as the 4+ pitches thing, this is was 10penn tells me. I asked about his ratings and was told he has 4+ pitches. I have not seen this. Last year or this year in his two starts. I do not see his fastball as + his curve is no doubt, Ill take your word on the slider but theres no way theres a 4th hiding somewhere that is a +
He has the potential for four plus pitches. He's still working on them. His slider was perhaps his best pitch coming out of HS, he just went awhile without throwing it in the minors because the Yankees didn't want him to hurt his arm. I'm starting to wish the Santana trade was made, just for Hughes' sake. Yankees fans aren't going to give the kid a chance. I was almost positive that he would at least get a break for the first month of the season, but already half of NYYFans.com has seemingly turned on him. Luckily, he's a mentally tough player, so he'll get through it. But at least he wouldn't have to put up with some of this stupidity in Minnesota.
And I want a threesome with Jessica Alba and Marissa Miller. Jesus Christ, the kid is NOT Santana (yet). He's not even a Verlander. He's the youngest pitcher in the majors. A LITTLE patience is required. The fastball - if it's his formerly typical fastball of 93-94mph - is a plus pitch overall mostly because of his command and the movement he gets on it. Hughes gets a lot of late life/movement on his fastball. That's what scouts (and opposing batters) talked about. THAT is what makes him so hard to hit (usually). If he's averaging 89mph, I don't know what they'd give it, but I doubt it's plus. Of course, in addition to the weather conditions and the tiny strike zone today (and the fact that 21-year-old pitchers can be expected to have bad games), you have the weird travel conditions. So I don't know what it is. I'm not worried about a crappy game or poor performance. And you shouldn't be either. I expect Hughes will have at LEAST a half dozen more crappy games. Why? Because that's what happens to even the best of pitchers every season. You don't make any conclusive judgments in April. You don't ask for "lights-out" in April. The only reason I have any concern whatsoever is the velocity (because of the reasons I listed in the last post). And that's a very singular concern.
ahh potential for four. So then im not crazy then. I hardly think Hughes is going to get rattled by me wondering if hes gonna be great on a message board so you can relax with the Minnesota talk.
I wasn't talking about you. But if supposed "diehard" fans are crazy enough to "worry" about him because of one start in April, it's scary to think what the casual Stadium fans and the press will think. Like I said, I'm sure he's tough enough not to care, but it's just unfortunate for him that he has to deal with the stupidity. Technically I guess you're not crazy, since he doesn't have four plus pitches right now. But it's crazy to expect him to have them already, and expecting him to consistently be lights out already as a 21 year old.
I ain't worried. I love Hughes. I'm not exactly encouraged by the start today, but I'm not worried. He's too young. I'll only get worried if it's late June and he's got a 5.50 ERA, and people want to kill the Yankees for not trading him. Then I might get a little worried. But even then, he's 21 years old, he's nowhere near his full potential.
Well, after the frustrating start for the Yankees, atleast the top prospects are getting hot. Montero hit a HR tonight, announcers said it was the longest they've seen in the 4 years they've been at that park. Jackson and Tabata also are warming up after slow starts.
Is it just me or has the weather been staying colder longer for the past 5-10 springs? I know there have always been a cold day here and there but lately it seems to stay cold for all of April or at least most of it. If this pattern keeps up it may force MLB to rethink the start of the season. The problem with that is it still gets cold in October. Not sure what they could do if this pattern continues other than have a lot of DH in the future which nobody will want.
Here we go again. I hadn't even heard this until now. "In more bad news for the Yankees, catcher Jorge Posada was removed in the sixth inning and will undergo tests for a "dead arm." http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/gamecenter/recap/MLB_20080408_NYY@KC Shaping up as another horrid start. At least we won't miss his bat any more then we miss Jeter's right now.
