Pascarelli Thinks Hughes is a Future Ace

From ESPN's Peter Pascarelli with a hat tip to WasWatching.com:

In Hughes, the Yankees have someone who they believe is destined to be an ace-caliber pitching star. Only Arizona's Justin Upton (by two months) is younger than Hughes in the major leagues this season. But Hughes' ability is far beyond his years.

And in his brief major league tenure, Hughes has already earned the respect of his veteran Yankees teammates. "He's going to be an ace down the road when he gets comfortable and pitches more at this level," said Yankees outfielder Johnny Damon.

"But he's got all the ability and the poise to be a really good one right now. We think he can win 15 games or more for us this season. And he'll just keep getting better."

What makes Hughes such an enticing prospect is not just his considerable physical ability, but his feel for pitching, which is so advanced for someone so inexperienced.

"When he's putting his fastball in the spots he wants, he can handle any lineup," said first-year Yankees pitching coach Dave Eiland, who has overseen Hughes throughout his meteoric rise through the New York farm system. "He has a very good curve ball -- a legit outpitch -- and both his change and slider have kept improving.

"He also has a poise and presence that you don't see in many young players. He can be as good as anyone."

I think Hughes is going to be a very, very good pitcher some day, probably sooner than anyone expects. If he can mix his pitches well, and locate his fastball he can be a nightmare for hitters.

As far as his problems with his mechanic that people, including myself, having been talking about the past week or so, I feel they can and will be corrected this season. These problems effect his velocity, which is important, but more importantly they hurt his command, which he's going to need to be successful, but like I said, I expect Dave Eiland to correct these problems as the year goes on.

Tonight Hughes has to be on top of his game, he's facing a very good Red Sox lineup, in a very tough ballpark to pitch in as a visitor. Hopefully, like game 3 of the ALDS, he doesn't let the moment get the best of him and just goes out there and pitches.