I've been having a lot of fun watching the SWB box scores every day, anticipating the performances of our great young pitching staff. There was a mixed bag today, and a little business to talk about.
First, Humberto Sanchez underwent successful ligament replacement surgery. He's out until next year. Cashman knew this was a possibility when he made the Sheffield deal, and it happened. All I can say is, you win some and you lose some. The thing is, I'm not yet willing to concede this as a loss. Sanchez has had problems every year. If this surgery "fixes" him, then it worked out. I actually think it lends a bit of momentum to the plan to convert him to a reliever. If he can harness his excellent stuff and be a reliable 8th inning man or closer for 10 years, then we still win. He may actually make it back as a very good starter, but we'll have to wait and see.
Ross Ohlendorf pitched a very nice game yesterday, going 6 innings on 87 pitches. He gave up 2 hits and 2 walks, while striking out 4. Despite only giving up a single run in the outing and lowering his ERA to a more respectable 3.60, the SWB Yanks couldn't score against Syracuse and eventually lost in the bottom of the 14th inning. The absolute killer in this game was Ron Villone's 3 hits and a walk, giving up 2 runs in the 7th inning. His SWB ERA is now 5.40 with a .333 BAA to his name. By the way, anyone remember that SWB is a AAA club? If he had been in the game against Cleveland instead of Henn, A-Rod would have had to hit an 8 run homer to walk off victorious. Thank goodness he's down there and not with the MLB club.
Last note on SWB. When do we write off Eric Duncan? How many more at bats before his time is up? He is now hitting .211/.326/.395 in 11 games. In 4 minor league seasons he now sports a .253/.343/.438 line, not including 2007, and I don't know why anyone ever thought he was any good based on the numbers I see. His OBP has never been outstanding. He has never slugged over .500 either, and his average is awful. Which part of his batting skill set turns people on? I know he's still a baby. He's still 21, I believe. That said, if he doesn't do something by the end of this year, I don't know why anyone would continue to talk about him in the Top 20 of Yankees prospects. Correct me if I'm wrong please.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
SWB Blues
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6 comments:
I hate to say it, but there is no hope for Duncan. Shame really.
It is a shame Mike. What did people see in him in the first place?
Mike, age relative to competition, Duncan is considerablly younger than his competition through most levels, which is the reason for optimism. he's now 22 in AAA, that's pretty good, most kids would be in A+ at this point.
That's the reason why Melky Cabrera's numbers should be taken with better regard than it's actual line (which was only ok at best) it's because Melky was also going into AA and AAA just as he turned 20. where as a guy like Andy Phillips killing AAA in his late 20s really isn't nearly as impressive as a early 20s kid holding his own in the same level
I'm not going to call him a bust until he's at least 25 and still not breaking out in AAA. you don't dimiss 22 year olds in AAA.
Oh, and that he cut down on his strike outs big time last year in AA was a good sign also. of course it could go either way, but dimissing a 22 year old in AAA in APRIL is just stupid
But he's never had good numbers at any level rollingwave. If he'd been tearing up A ball and AA, then I'd say, "Oh, give him time to adjust. He's only 22." He's just never produced anywhere.
Robinson Cano never tore up any level either (except the major last year, at least with big sample size he had a good 100 AB in AAA in 05, but it's 100 AB, just like Duncan's 60ish AB in Staten Island where he did tore it up in a decidedly tough pitcher's league.)
Of course, he could not amount to anything, but i just don't see why a guy who's held his own at every level along the way on a pretty darn fast pace be thrown down the toliet.
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