Kennedy shows his quality

by Travis G on Apr 10, 2009 11:08 PM EDT in New York Yankees News

Ian Kennedy started for Triple-A Scranton tonight and showed why he was the Yankees first overall pick in 2006. In his season debut, he allowed one run in six innings, but more impressive were the 11 strikeouts against zero walks!

David Robertson relieved him and K'ed three in two scoreless innings.

Scranton won the game, 2-1, in 11 innings.

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Quality?

I think what he once again showed is that he is a very good AAA pitcher. That’s all. I doubt he will ever be an important part of the Yankee rotation.

by Ed Valentine on Apr 11, 2009 7:49 AM EDT reply actions

normally i'd agree with you

but 11 K: 0 BB is astounding, even for AAA.

by Travis G on Apr 11, 2009 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Still

Doesn’t prove anything. We’ve known for a year that IPK is too good for AAA competition. What he hasn’t proven is that he can get big-league hitters out. He seems like a classic AAAA guy — too good for the minors, not good enough to be a quality big-leaguer.

by Ed Valentine on Apr 11, 2009 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions

a classic

AAAA guy is someone along the lines of dan giese/darrel rasner/jeff karstens.

by tombradylikesdudes on Apr 11, 2009 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions

This is nothing new

Kennedy has been beasting in the minors.

Unless he figures out a way to get some movement on the fastaball, then he aint gonna be any good.

by FreeBradshaw on Apr 11, 2009 7:58 AM EDT reply actions

not to this level though

i think you’re overrating fastball movement. if he can hit his spots with several pitches, that’s enough to be a successful ML pitcher.

that’s why Jamie Moyer can pitch into his late 40s. Curt Schilling had a straight-as-an-arrow FB, yet is a borderline HOFer bc he could thread a needle with it.

by Travis G on Apr 11, 2009 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions

Control issues

That’s been his weakness thus far.

by BigSlim on Apr 11, 2009 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions

his control

is just fine. command was an issue when he was up last year.

by tombradylikesdudes on Apr 11, 2009 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Quality =

trade value (hopefully).

by detroit yankee on Apr 11, 2009 10:15 AM EDT reply actions

true dat

by NumberSeven on Apr 12, 2009 9:46 AM EDT up reply actions

Then he gets his shit together, grows up and has a Josh Hamilton style maturation.

by ryanwk628 on Apr 13, 2009 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions

I think people forget this kid is only beginning his third year of professional ball. He pitched so well in the minors that the Yankees rushed him too quickly through the system. It’s way too soon to say he’ll never contribute on the big league level.

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by John B on Apr 11, 2009 2:03 PM EDT reply actions

I don't think anyone is forgetting that at all. In fact they are

remembering quite well that he has pitched very well at AAA before. He still has to prove that he can pitch on the big club though.

by garp on Apr 11, 2009 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions

That's different from saying he never will prove he can, though.

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by John B on Apr 11, 2009 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Ian Kennedy

Ian Kennedy wil be traded to a National League team where without the DH,in a weaker hitting league,he will turn out to be a solid number 3 or 4 starter. I just hope the Yankees get something useful in return.

by Yank7 on Apr 11, 2009 2:40 PM EDT reply actions

Will be an excellent starter

People here are worse than the old George Steinbrenner. The guy is a rookie who had a tough time one year. He pitched well the year before last at the major league level. Its really frustrating to read some of these blog posts.

by babbaloo on Apr 11, 2009 9:22 PM EDT reply actions

Trade Him Now

We hear this story all the time. Awsome are but “he” can’t pitch under the lights/cameras of NY. Can U say Ted Lilly, Jeff Weaver, Danny Negal, how about that hick Randy Johnson! This kid may still be successful but the Yanks gave him a fair chance, move on now….By the way usually they only have three options in a NYY contract? Do they loose all rights to him if he returns and does not perform? If YES is the answer, after this outting “HE GONE”.

by G8benny on Apr 12, 2009 1:17 AM EDT reply actions

Dude no way

I think your forgetting his debut: Kennedy made his major league debut with the New York Yankees on September 1, 2007 in place of Mike Mussina. He earned the win, allowing three runs (only one earned run) in seven innings, striking out six, walking two, and allowing five hits.

We expected way too much of him way too soon. Cashman made a bad move by expecting the kid to be a starting pitcher going into 08. Hell the kid couldn’t have made it the whole year any way cause he couldn’t have physically handled a 200 IP year yet.

Plus, its just possible that had we stuck with him a little longer that he might have got it worked out. Some great major leaguers are streaky pitchers. Look at Derek Lowe and Bronson Arroyo.

You might be right he may not pan out but the kid shows promise. Call him up at some point this year and give him another chance. Andy Petite ain’t getting any younger.

by seanzee08 on Apr 12, 2009 4:21 PM EDT reply actions

ALSO

You know who else looked really bad b/c he called them up too early? Melky Cabrera. We called him up in 04 when it was clear that Bernie couldn’t play in CF any more. The kid was totally lost out there . . . had trouble making routine fly outs. However, we sent him back down and let him adjust. When he came back he was a fantastic center fielder. Actually I believe in 06 he was among the league leaders in OF assists. And while Melky is no longer starting in CF its not b/c of his D its because of his bat. Point being: history shows that if you give talent a chance to develop it can work out in your favor.

by seanzee08 on Apr 12, 2009 4:31 PM EDT reply actions