Just Wondering
I am not saying it had anything to do with Hughes' dud tonight, but why did the Yankees choose to put Chris Stewart in at catcher? Stewart joined the team yesterday, apart from the guys who played this year at AAA he doesn't know the pitchers. Molina has caught the bulk of Hughes' innings this season and while the results haven't been good, at least they have a relationship. Stewart gets put into a tough spot and Hughes has to work with his fourth catcher of the season. Add in the fact that Hughes pitched well last time out and Molina caught him then, and I really don't get the move. (And someone should tell Stewart to pick a different #. # 38 reminds me of Matt Nokes, which is not what you want in a catcher.)
The Yankees now have a big decision to make about Hughes. He has made six starts, pitched 22 innings and given up 22 earned runs. The Yankees can't afford to keep sending him out there if he isn't going to be at least competitive in his starts and you would have to be generous to say he has been that in half his starts this season. He is scheduled to pitch against Seattle Sunday and if he doesn't do well in that start, the Yankees have to strongly consider sending him to AAA.
Comments
I agree - this is very bad for Hughes. He needs to get off the game's biggest stage, head back to Scranton and learn how to pitch with confidence all over again. If he doesn't do that soon, he may lose it forever. He's just TOO young to go through this right now.
Side thought: Ohlendorf has to be one of the most inconsistent pitchers I've seen in a while. Some days he's lights out, some days he's terrible. His stuff is big league ready, his consistency is at a AA level at times.
Question is this: who replaces Hughes?
Iggy? Nope, he's struggling right now.
Rasner? Probably, but he seems to be slotted as a long reliever. He looks like a number 5 starter to me.
Joba? Seems a little too early still.
Your thoughts Peter?
Posted by: Mitchell![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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April 29, 2008 10:52 PM
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I think you are right about Rasner's potential, but the guy is great right now. 3 earned runs in 31 innings, he would have to be the guy if you make the switch.
Dan Giese is certainly not a prospect, but I suspect he would be second in line.
Then Igawa and probably Steven White after that.
You can't put Joba into the rotation after having him throw 1-2 innings for the past six weeks. The Yankees could start extending him in the majors, but I don't think that is the right approach right now. Ugh, this is ugly.
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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April 29, 2008 11:26 PM
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OK, now I'm scratching my head wondering what I just read about Phil Hughes - he has trouble seeing at night! He reports issues with glare amd shadows. The glare issue sounds like cataracts, which he can't have unless the guy/gal who performed his most recent eye test is blind - itself a funny thought, no?
Shadows at night, yeah well those do tend to happen at night esp between a catcher's legs when he's holding his signs in the shadow he creates between his knees. And I did see Stewart lurching around trying to catch surprise pitches. I just chalked that up to a new pitcher catcher pairing.
So, just what the heck is going on here? Team spends a lot of money on players, probably large amounts on medical care too - so an answer here would be sort of nice.
Posted by: Mitchell![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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April 30, 2008 08:50 AM
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