Question for PinstripePowerhouse

by CharlieBrown on Jun 29, 2007 9:12 AM EDT

I don't really follow the Yankees farm system as much as I'd like, but could you tell me a bit more about Joba Chamberlain? His potential and his ETA?

Very high praise from ESPN, surly we have to keep this kid so Wang, Hughes and Chamberlain can become our 1-2-3 for years to come?

Just read an interesting piece on ESPN, quote:

'Joba Chamberlain, RHP, NYY: A 6-foot-3, 225-pounder, Chamberlain is a 2006 draft pick who fell to the 44th overall pick last season because many teams were concerned about his physique and health. He has a pretty amazing story to tell. Putting it bluntly, Chamberlain was a chunky kid in high school, who didn't play a lick of baseball until his senior year. He got serious about conditioning, went to a junior college and went 3-6 with a 5.23 ERA. The coaches at the University of Nebraska got a look at his fastball and recruited him. He then developed into a monster, leading the Huskers to the College World Series in 2005 with teammate Alex Gordon (Royals). This season, Chamberlain has been clocked at 98 mph, and he demolished the Florida State League to get a quick promotion to Double-A. Chamberlain also has a plus slider, a solid curve, and an improving changeup. The Yankees laud his work ethic and competitiveness. Let's look at the numbers: He had a 2.03 ERA in high Class A, allowing 25 hits (no homers) in 40 innings with a 51/11 K/BB rate. Since moving to Double-A, Chamberlain has a 26/6 K/BB rate in 16.2 innings, allowing 11 hits (one homer) with a 3.24 ERA. Chamberlain could be better than Philip Hughes. I expect Hughes and Chamberlain to be battling for Yankees ace honors in a year or three.'

Tweet Comment 6 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

ETA: some time in 2008

That is, if he can avoid injury, which is the biggest issue with him right now.

He pitched last night: 10 strikeouts in 5 innings, though he did issue 4 free passes. However, as you can see in the bit you quoted, that is not the norm for him (the walks; the strikeouts he will rack up).

My favorite thing about Joba, and this was not quoted in your scouting report, is that he is confident enough in his secondary pitches to throw them when behind in the count. Hell, he'll throw off-speed or a breaking pitch in any count. That goes a long way in separating minor leaguers from major leaguers.

Imagine standing in the batters box against a guy like that. He starts you off with a knee-buckling curve, but thankfully for you, it misses. Then you get a 97 mph fastball, which also thankfully misses. So you're ahead, feeling good about yourself, figuring that you've seen this guy's fastball and he's probably coming back with it on a 2-0 pitch. But instead, he tosses you a slider on the low outside corner, followed by a changeup down and in. The batter has little shot to do anything with either pitch. Because Joba can throw them for a strike, he's at an enormous advantage. And then with two strikes, you're toast. He won't hesitate to throw you anything, whether it's a 97 mph fastball up and in (or anywhere, really), a nasty slider, a sweeping curve, or hell, even pull the string.

Durability is the issue. If he stays healthy this year -- and it seems he's dedicated to it -- he and Hughes could stand atop the rotation as early as next year (but that's being very hopeful).

River Ave. Blues
Yanks and prospects

by PinstripePowerhouse on Jun 29, 2007 9:21 AM EDT reply actions

PP

Great insider info!

Many thanks!

I'll keep my fingers crossed for Joba!

by CharlieBrown on Jun 29, 2007 9:52 AM EDT up reply actions

Er, I should qualify

That hypothetical situation I raised would be him facing a righty. I would never advocate throwing a change down an in to a lefty unless you absolutely know you'll have him fooled.

River Ave. Blues
Yanks and prospects

by PinstripePowerhouse on Jun 29, 2007 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions

Youtube

There's a poor quality video on Youtube from Tampa A that starts at a 2-0 count vs. a lefty and shows him going slider (foul- I think slider, video says 92 fastball)- fastball (97, high)-fastball (94, strike)-curve (swinging K). The curve looks pretty nasty, bites the dirt.

by SP on Jun 29, 2007 12:46 PM EDT reply actions

Tough pitch to judge

It easily could have been his "get me over" slider. I just didn't see Joba's distinct break (then again, it was a poor angle). Either way, I like that he didn't just try to rocket a 97 mph heater by the guy like most other young pitchers would.