Pitching, #34…Phil Hughes February 9, 2008
Posted by Pablo Zevallos in Phil Hughes, Sean Henn.add a comment
Per his blog, Phil Hughes is close to changing his #65 to what was Sean Henn’s #34. Hopefully this gives both pitchers good luck, particularly because this may be Henn’s last chance.
September 16, 2007
Posted by Pablo Zevallos in Brian Bruney, Edwar Ramirez, Ron Villone, Ross Ohlendorf, Sean Henn.add a comment
The Yankees lost a long, bad game to Boston, 10-1, effectively ending their division hopes as it reminded them that there are some bullpen members who continue to struggle.
In the 7th inning, when the Yankees let up 4 runs to break open what was a 5-1 game, this was the line of the pitchers that inning (not including their performances in previous innings):
Edwar Ramirez 0.1 IP, 0 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
Ron Villone 0.0 IP, 0 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
Brian Bruney 0.1 IP, 1 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
Sean Henn 0.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
Ross Ohlendorf 0.1 IP 0 H, 1 BB, 1 K
(Courtesy of ESPN.com)
According to the FOX telecast, the Yankees threw 45 pitches in a 25 innings. Sad, isn’t it, that the Yankees continue with AAAA arms like Henn and Villone. Bruney can be fixed, I think, but Sean Henn, in 33.2 IP, has allowed 43 H and 26 BB, a WHIP of 2.05. A WHIP of 1.50 isn’t great, forget a WHIP that high. In August and September, in 8 G and 9.1 IP, he has allowed 21 H, 18 R (16 ER), 2 HR, 10 BB, and 9 K’s. He should be DFA’ed for a better pitcher (T.J. Beam? Darrell Rasner?). However, the most telling stat is that he has thrown 214 pitches, laboring a lot through his innings.
The bright spot was Derek Jeter’s homer to center, a good sign his knee is getting better. There were some flashes of rivalry, as Kevin Youkilis was hit in his wrist (day-to-day with a contusion) and Jason Giambi was hit in his elbow. Moreover, Eric Hinske totally barreled into Jorge Posada…at least he was out.
Another brightspot, though, was Ross Ohlendorf. All his 4 outs were on K’s, and he should a live fastball and sinker. I think he did a nice job, sans the homer to Hinske, and he should be a good arm to come out of the bullpen.
Overall not a very good game, and they must hope Roger Clemens goes 6 innings today because the bullpen has been taxed.
Yankees Lose in Toronto, Go Eat Beans in Boston September 15, 2007
Posted by Pablo Zevallos in Andy Pettitte, Bobby Abreu, Chien-Ming Wang, Chris Britton, GCL Yankees, Hideki Okajima, Ian Kennedy, Jason Giambi, Johnny Damon, Jonathan Papelbon, Jose Veras, Robinson Cano, Sean Henn.add a comment
The short-handed Yankees lost in the bottom of the ninth, 2-1, with another poor offensive showing. Ian Kennedy was spectacular again, with a line of 7IP 1H 1 ER 7K. AJ Burnett gave up 7 hits in 8 innings, but K’ed 8 and dominated the Yankees. The Yankees weren’t prepared to play extras, so they sent Chris Britton out to lose the game and go to Boston. You may disagree, but come on, it only took five pitches, and it wasn’t exactly a heart breaker.
The Yankees were poised for a blowout loss yesterday, with an ineffective Andy Pettitte starting and Jose Veras and Sean (The Egg-Laying) Henn, then being plagued by Derek Jeter’s throw and Jason Giambi’s glove…or lack of it. After it being 5-1 after four and 7-2 after six, Boston sent out the first-half wunderkind, Hideki Okajima, in the eighth inning. He served up back-to-back jacks to Jason Giambi and Robinson Cano, and then walked the badly slumping Melky Cabrera before everything unraveled, and Johnny Damon (4-6, 2 2B) as well as Derek Jeter got on, and by then it was 7-5. Jonathan Papelbon came in, but that was no relief. Bobby Abreu doubled in the tying runs, and he stole second. A-Rod then singled him in, and after seemingly having lost the game, the Yankees won, 8-7.
All Boston has to do is win one, but they still have a chance. Chien-Ming Wang probably will win today, considering how the Yankees hit Josh Beckett, but I have little confidence in Roger Clemens, as the Yankees will need their longmen (Kei Igawa, Ross Ohlendorf, Sean Henn, Jeff Karstens, Matt DeSalvo) ready in case something happens to the Rocket.
Prediction for today: 6-4 win.
Prediction for Sunday: 8-4 loss.
Yankees Win First 2 From KC; Seattle Loses September 9, 2007
Posted by Pablo Zevallos in AAA S/WB, Andy Pettitte, Brian Bruney, Bronson Sardhina, Chris Britton, Derek Jeter, Ian Kennedy, Jeff Karstens, Kei Igawa, Kevin Youkilis, Ross Ohlendorf, Sean Henn, Trenton Thunder.add a comment
The Yankees have won the first two games of their three-gamer from Kansas City. A-Rod has three homers in those games, breaking the Yankees record for a right-handed hitter (held previously by himself and Joe D.) and the major league record for a third-basemen (held previously by Mike Schmidt).
Ian Kennedy did a decent job, going 5, walking 3, K’ing only two, and allowing 7 hits and two runs. I don’t think he’s always going to be this, or always going to be what he was in his first game at Tampa Bay, but he’ll be somewhere in between, which is still nice. In that game Jorge Posada also homered and Bobby Abreu drove in Jeter with a game-breaking double in the seventh.
Yesterday, Andy Pettite went 6.1 innings, allowing 7 hits, two runs, two walks, and striking out four. Brian Bruney had a horrible game, relieving Chris Britton after 1.2 innings of work. Bruney went a third of an inning, walking three, although he gave up no hits and allowed two runs. He even debated with an umpire over a high pitch six inches over the strike zone. In this game, Wilson Betemit and Johnny Damon also homered.
- Derek Jeter left last night’s game in the fifth due to patellar (knee) tendinitis, and won’t play today and he’ll rest somewhat on Toronto’s artificial turf.
- The S/WB Yankees (AAA) lost to Richmond, 4-3, eliminating them from the playoffs. Disappointing, but when you consider how close the games were with the talent they lost through injury or promotion, they must really be commended for their work this season.
- I didn’t know this, but Austin Jackson is with Trenton (AA) for the playoffs and is doing a very nice job.
- According to Peter Abraham, since the S/WB Yankees’ season is over, The Yankees will call up LHP Kei Igawa, LHP Sean Henn (he doesn’t deserve it), RHP Jeff Karstens (since he threw last night, he’ll arrive on Tuesday), RHP Ross Ohlendorf, and OF Bronson Sardhina before today’s game. Nice crop of players once you include Ohlendorf an Sardhina, who have a nice future with the Yankees.
- Let’-Play-Tag-Kevin Youkilis would love to know why we Yankee fans and the Yankees hate him. He compared his moody style of playing to Paul O’Neill. I’m not sure I even want to go there, but obviously that big head of his is empty.
Mike Mussina’s Rotation Spot in Danger August 24, 2007
Posted by Pablo Zevallos in Bret Prinz, Brian Bruney, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chris Britton, Ian Kennedy, Jeff Karstens, Kei Igawa, Mike Mussina, Pittsburgh Pirates, Ron Villone, Sean Henn, Steven White.add a comment
Mike Mussina may not be a rotation member if he struggles in his next start, according to the NY Daily News and the NY Post. Mussina has been blitzed in his last two starts, allowing 14 earned runs in his last 6.2 innings pitched. “After his next start, we’re going to talk,” Joe Torre said. “If he feels good, the ability to pitch and pitch well is in there somewhere. I think he just needs to trust his stuff.” Finally, this has come to light, as the Yankees now have the gall to bring in younger players to replace washed-up veterans, the first time I have ever seen this as a Yankee fan.
Some candidates: Steven White, Ian Kennedy, Jeff Karstens, Kei Igawa
Steven White–I must be honest, I don’t know much about Steven White. However, he has done a great job for the Yankees, and was a top-10 prospect for them in 2004, according to the Baseball America. He should be the left-handed longman, and has better control than Ron Villone. However, he doesn’t strikeout many batters, but his GO/AO ratio is only .92, which may lead to trouble. Moreover, he allows just under a hit per inning (79.2 IP, 72 H), which also may lead to trouble. However, he has not responded well to a promotion mid-season throughout his minor league career. Please note, however, that 2004 was his “top-prospect” year, and that his start in Tampa was a rehab assignment. I’m not sure on what the injury was, but his lack of K’s this year may have something to do with it.
Ian Kennedy–We have talked about him before. Just click on the label below and you’ll see all I’ve written about him. However, bringing up a kid who throws 100mph is easier than bringing up a kid who throws 88-91, so there’s a chance he may struggle a bit.
Jeff Karstens–I’m sick of this guy. Last season, he had a decent year, and he has a great minor league track record, but this year it hasn’t translated into success. However, you can tell me about the Monday morning quarterback feeling, but this guy struck out only 3.37/9 innings, or roughly one every three. That’s embarassing, and he has only a .064 GO/AO ratio this season, so stats can make sense of his season with a 11.20 ERA. I think he’s not coming back to the Bronx, especially for an extended stay.
Kei Igawa–Inconsistency has followed this guy to the minors. He has been good, bad, great, and God-awful all in 54.2 IP. The Yankees should have just shipped him out to San Diego for Clay Hensley and ended it at that. But no, not even the immortal Nardi Contreras can fix this one. He’s screwed, and he’s the spot start guy for the rest of his Yankee tenure, until some West Coast team with a huge ballpark (Seattle, San Diego?) can take him.
In other news
BRUNEY BACK–According to Peter Abraham of the LoHud Yankees blog, Brian Bruney is back with the Yankees, probably at the expense of Ron Villone or Sean Henn. He was ineffective for Scranton, and my guess is that they just want a fresh arm from which they know what to expect after the horror series in Anaheim. Since this is probably just a one or two day move, I would guess it’s Henn. However, Villone has been so ineffective, and Henn is a young pitcher with a future with the Yankees, Villone could be DFA’ed as well. My question, though, is WHY CAN’T THEY JUST BRING UP CHRIS BRITTON!!!
BRET PRINZ UPDATE–This probably goes under useless info, but I’ve always liked this guy’s stuff, so I’ll just post this. According to Wikipedia (yes, you’re open to question my sources), after he was DFA’ed by the White Sox, he signed a minor-league deal with the Chicago Cubs to pitch at AAA Iowa. However, he was released and has signed on to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Pretty sad that this is what we got for Raul Mondesi, though.
Yankees Get Crushed by Angels August 22, 2007
Posted by Pablo Zevallos in Alex Rodriguez, Chris Britton, Garret Anderson, LA Angels, Mike Mussina, Ron Villone, Sean Henn, Steven White.add a comment
We should be calling for Mike Mussina’s head by now. He has allowed 7 earned in back to back appearances, except he taxed the bullpen by only pitching 1.2 innings. This is the third of the last four years he has had a bad year. Hang up the cleats? How ’bout a nice DFA–I don’t know, I just think Steven White or IPK should replace this guy presto.
Ron Villone–you’re only supposed to walk dogs, not batters. Five earned in .1 innings. Let’s DFA him.
Sean Henn–same crap like yesterday–option him and bring up Steven White or Chris Britton.
Yeah, A-Rod hit two homers, but Garret Anderson, the declining slugger, had 10 RBI. At least Andy Pettitte’s pitching tomorrow.
Yankees Lose Tough one in Anaheim August 21, 2007
Posted by Pablo Zevallos in Alex Rodriguez, Edwar Ramirez, Gary Matthews Jr., Joba Rules, Joe Torre, LA Angels, Mike Mussina, Phil Hughes, Sean Henn.add a comment
A-Rod was the first to 40 HR’s, but Joe Torre couldn’t make the most of his short-handed bullpen as the Yankees come back but lose in 10, as Torre, for some reason, didn’t let Mo pitch two innings and give the Yanks a chance to win in the 11th.
Phil Hughes didn’t pitch as bad as the numbers look, as the first three runs were set up by a misplay by Robinson Cano that turned into a double on a groundball up the middle by Gary Matthews Jr. Then, when he left, Luis Vizcaino allowed the two runners he inherited plus one more.
Then, tomorrow, if you get 6 from Mussina, Edwar pitches an innings and Joba pitches the 8th and 9th for the save. But no, he has to use the only sure thing in that bullpen (Viz blew it and Farns was in trouble) for only 1 inning and use Sean Henn for the 10th? I mean, he’s more effective than Ron Villone, but the bullpen is better tomorrow if you can avoid using him in a sudden death situation.
Just bad bullpen management–the reason the Joba Rules were created.
A Pinstriped Logjam II: Who to send down when Joba comes up? August 3, 2007
Posted by Pablo Zevallos in Brian Bruney, Chris Britton, Edwar Ramirez, Jason Giambi, Jim Brower, Joba Chamberlain, Kyle Farnsworth, Mike Myers, Sean Henn.1 comment so far
Joba Chamberlain is being converted into a reliever to help the Yankees this season down the stretch. No doubt that they could use him, but, like when Giambi comes back, this creates a bullpen logjam as well. These are the probable candidates to be DFA’d, or optioned, to make room for The Hutt.
(All statistics according to ESPN.com)
| B. Bruney 48G | 2W | 1L | 0SV | 5HLD | 40.2 IP |
35H | 15ER | 2HR | 29BB | 29K | 6.42K/9 | 1.57WHIP |
3.32ERA |
See those walks? Typical of a guy with a high heater. Doesn’t have much of an offspeed or breaking pitch either–just mostly fastballs. As mentioned in the previous Logjam Edition, he has as many walks as K’s, and a man with his heater should strike out a man an inning, not 6.42/9. The WHIP is very high–and Torre doesn’t have much confidence in him, as can be told by the innings to games ratio. He has also been used in mop-up issues, and has given up a lot of runs of late.
| K. Farnsworth 46G | 1W | 1L | 0SV | 11HLD | 43.1IP | 49H | 7HR | 21BB | 29K | 6.02K/9 | 1.62 WHIP |
4.78ERA |
Now, here we’re not talking about a man who just has a 100MPH fastball, but has a nasty slider and good bite to his splitter…but has no command or control. His attitude sucks, and he could be traded, and, if Cashman is that desperate, DFA’d. Also, if he would pitch a full-fledged 215 innings as a starter, he would give up 35 HR’s, which would have led the American league last year…not good
| Sean Henn 21G | 2W | 0L | 0SV | 2HLD | 25.1IP | 22H | 3HR | 16BB | 19K | 6.75K/9 | 1.50WHIP | 4.26ERA |
Nothing really wrong with him. Throws decently hard (93-94MPH), is a lefty, giving him more chances at The Show. However, he’s a long man/starter, a Ron Villone type, so he could succeed Villone next year when he leaves. He has a good slider, a decent changeup, but gives up a lot of walks and has a high WHIP as a result. If he can lower his walks and baserunners his ERA will lower as well. More strikeout should be expected.
| Mike Myers 52G | 0W | 2L | 0SV | 4HLD | 39.0IP | 35H | 3HR | 15BB | 19K | 4.38K/9 | 1.28WHIP | 2.54ERA |
This man is a sidearming 38 years old, and has a 77MPH fastball, as well as a 68MPH slider with less sweep than before. He has a .296 BAA against lefties, with .358OBP, and he’s supposed to be a lefty specialist. However, he has .187 BAA against righties, with a .262OBP. Weird, eh? There are NL teams interested in him, and he can very easily be claimed. He is in the last year of his contract, and should retire at the end of this year.
Easily, or two of these men can be demoted, and then Joba can be promoted with another truly deserving Scranton reliever–Jim Brower, Chris Britton, or Edwar Ramirez
