I was planning to make this third and final post about the guys that could slip through waivers to the Yankees. However, I think I've already profiled Aaron Harang and Brian Bannister more times than any sane human being should and you guys are probably sick of reading it. So, I'll just be making this post about Cuban pitcher, and free agent, Yadel Marti.
Yadel Marti- We learned that Marti, along with a few other Cubans, became a free agent yesterday with this tweet from Jorge Arangure. Earlier today, Pete Abraham reported that the Yankees were showing interest in him as well. As it is with most Cuban defectors, its tough to find information on him. The only stats we have are from his twelve and two third scoreless innings in the WBC. He struck out 11 and gave up only 6 hits. Very impressive but a really small sample size. He's not a flamethrower, he only throws a fastball in the high 80's and relies on his secondary stuff. What exactly his secondary stuff is, is subject to controversy. Their appears to be a consensus that he has a curveball. However, various reports have stated he also sports a sinker, changeup, and/or a slider. He's a control guy. At first glance I thought he was the answer to our prayers but I could understand the Yankees treating this with caution. They have not had good luck with pitchers without stateside experience since the golden days of El Duque. This could be a test of how much Hal Steinbrenner is going to be willing to spend to win down the road. It'll be an interesting story to watch over the next month or so.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
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fastball in the LOW 80's? For real?
Sounds like a chump.
Who cares how hard his fastball is? There are pitchers who can do very well without a 90+ MPH fastball as long as they locate their pitches. Apparently his off-speed and breaking pitches are his best pitches.
I seem to recall Mussina "getting by" last year with an 86-89 mph fastball
That's what I mean, Shaw. You don't need to throw hard to be successful as long as you know how to pitch.
I know but 86-89 is considered high 80's fastball, atleast by me. Low 80's is like 80-83 mph. Huge difference there. Not many people have the control that Moose had.
High 80's Scott
That said, it is going to require some outstanding secondary pitches to get away with that. Mussina only did what he did last year with some exceptional secondary pitchers and pinpoint control.
The guy has been one of the best pitchers in Cuba for a reason. I don't think we should get too hung up on velocity.
high 80's is a little different. It said low 80's previously, that's why I questioned if it was correct.
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