Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Hughes Working On Some New Things

From Peter Abraham:
If you watched the game today, you may have noticed that Phil Hughes had a nice, tight curveball. It looked different than the curve he used to throw and I asked him about it.

Hughes explained that he’s throwing his curve with the same arm speed as his fastball. So instead of a big loop (picture Mike Mussina’s curve), it goes to the plate on a straighter plane but still has some action as it gets there. It’s how A.J. Burnett throws his curve.
He's also changed his change:
Hughes also has changed the grip on his change-up. He throws it like a splitter.

...

Now he has a fastball, a tighter curve, a change-up he likes and a cutter that is getting better and better.
Peter also says in his article that Hughes needs some more experience, but once he has that he should be able "do some great things." I couldn't agree more. And I think the fact that we're seeing him add pitches and improve on the ones he already has reinforces that, and shows that the kid understands what it's going to take to become what he was hyped up to be; a top of the rotation starter.

I know there are a lot of people who are ready to, or have already given up on Hughes and look at him as a bust. But to me that's just silly. He's still just 22 and has all the potential in the world.

I've defended Hughes for a while, you guys know this, and I'm not going to stop now. My biggest and only major concern with Hughes is his health, a Peter discusses this in his article too. But find me a young pitcher whose health isn't a concern and I'll give you 20 bucks.
He may start the season in Scranton, but Hughes is going to play a significant role with the Yankees this season one way or another. He’s too good not to.
While I'm obviously very confident that one day soon (probably next season) Hughes will be a major part of this team's pitching staff, I just don't see it happening this year. Unless one of the starters suffers a major injury where does he fit? I think he will make several starts this year at some point, but enough to make a significant impact? I'm not sure. What do you think? Can Phil Hughes "play a significant role with the Yankees this season?"

9 Comments:

Anonymous said...

Hughes will indeed play a role with the Yanks this season.

Injuries will happen and Joba has his innings cap.

One of the reasons why TB was so successful last season is because the rotation was remarkably durable with five starters making 153 of their 162 starts.

Someone in the Yankee rotation will go down. That's a guarantee. We can only hope that it's not too serious. It was one of the primary reasons why I wanted Pettitte back.

I wouldn't rule out Hughes making 10 starts for the big club. Hopefully, he can progress and stay healthy himself.

Anonymous said...

i would say he gets at least 10 starts maybe more in sept. call up. If he pitches very well in his opportunities this season , you may see him make the post season roster as added depth to the pitching staff. That is basically his best case scenario this year. While next year i see him taking andy pettite's spot in the rotation.

Greg Cohen said...

I definitely see him taking Pettitte's spot next year.

But 10 starts in one month? That can't happen. 30 days in a month, let's say 27 games, and he starts every fifth day. That's five starts, maybe six.

With that said, if he does make those six starts, and does well, I could see him being added to the post season roster if they move Joba to the pen or something like that. Using Hughes as a long-man in the playoffs already paid off back in '07 against Cleveland.

Anonymous said...

i meant 10 spot starts plus more in possible sept. call up.

Anonymous said...

i also didnt mean moving joba to the pen and have hughes take his spot in the playoffs. I meant have him on the roster in the pen as a long man, which could potentially be extremely important , if say CC or wang has post season troubles.

Greg Cohen said...

I see what you mean about the ten starts anon.

The only reason I mentioned moving Joba to the pen is because they're not going to have five starters in the playoffs. With his innings limit he's the obvious choice to be left out, which would mean he has to go to the pen. It's just my opinion, but that's the only way I see Hughes making the playoff roster.

Bostowned said...

Phil Hughes will be the 5th starter this year when AJ Burnett gets injured again.

Book it!

Anonymous said...

2010 Rotation:

Sabathia
Wang
Burnett
Chamberlain
Hughes

OR

Sabathia
Wang
Burnett
Chamberlain
Garcia

I's not an automatic that Hughes gets a rotation spot next year when Pettitte isn't here.
He's likely going to have some competition coming from other prospects in the organization.
Christian Garcia I believe will be one of them.
He as excellent stuff. And is only 22 too. All he needs to do is stay healthy.

Anonymous said...

of course he will play a big role.. joba wont be making more than 25 starts and that leaves about 10 up in the open (and thats barring ZERO injuries.. im sure he'll make spot starts all season)