McCutchen May Be Next for Yanks

From the Staten Island Advance (hat tip to WasWatching.com):

As the Yankees search within the organization for pitching help following the early-season struggles of Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy, they might look no further than the Trenton Thunder's Daniel McCutchen. With Hughes on the disabled list and Kennedy ineffective, McCutchen could prove to be the next pitching prospect you should know.

Unlike Hughes, McCutchen is no kid. The 6-2, 195-pound right-hander is two years removed from the University of Oklahoma and will be 26 in September. He made his pro debut with the Staten Island Yankees in 2006, opening the season here and making two starts before being promoted to Charleston.

Unlike Kennedy, he doesn't nibble. He goes right after hitters, and has 43 strikeouts in 46 innings this season to prove it.

He's got major-league stuff: a fastball in the mid-90s, a good slider and an improving curveball. And good numbers: a 4-2 record with a 2.14 ERA.

But is he ready for the big leagues?

Trenton manager Tony Franklin says McCutchen can definitely pitch at a higher level. Tino Martinez, a special assistant for the Yankees, says he could skip Triple A and get big-league hitters out right now.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is intrigued, but not yet ready to say he's the organization's next Joba Chamberlain.

"It's too early to say that. But he's certainly throwing very well at Double A right now," Cashman said. "He opened our eyes in the spring, too. He works fast; he's got some power stuff that goes with it. He's got a great mentality. All he's done is win since he's been in the pros."

Though he's been primarily a starter since his senior year at Oklahoma, the Yankees are already confident McCutchen can help them in the bullpen. But then again, the Yankees crave starters.

Right now I would like to see the Yanks keep him as a starter, they need all the starting pitching they can get and the bullpen has actually been pretty good. I also believe a good starting pitcher is a heck of a lot more valuable than a good reliever.

If the Yanks need a starter in the near future, which is likely the way things have been going this year, they should give McCutchen a chance and see what he can do at this level.

However, if the Yankees are getting ready to move Joba into the rotation then I would have no problem seeing McCutchen get a shot at replacing him in the bullpen as the setup guy.