11/15
Gardner 2-3, 2BB
Ohlendorf 1.0IP, 2H, 2R, 2B, 0K, 26 pitches, 13 strikes (50%)
I was looking over my write up from the first game of the AFL, and I have some closing thoughts to offer:
Reegie Corona .188/.291/.313, 4SB-0CS, 7BB, 10K
I originally said it would take a miracle to turn the shortstop into Cairomack. He didn't do himself any favors with this performance.
Brett Gardner .343/.433/.380 16SB-1CS, 17BB, 17K
The more I look at those numbers the more I find to like about Brett Gardner. That's a lot of walks for 26 games, and nearly as many stolen bases as walks. He should get some time in the Bronx in 2008.
Juan MIranda .295/.423/.551, 16BB, 18K
It's a small sample size, and I still need to see Miranda have success in AAA, but I could find a place on the roster for Miranda's .400/.534/.733 line against right handed pitchers.
Steven Jackson 16.0IP, 21H, 7BB, 19K
Well, my questions about how Jackson will be treated going forward have been answered- he's be a reliever from here on out.
Looking at those numbers I wonder if Jackson has repeatability issues with his mechanics. It wasn't a great fall for Steven, but with more than a K per inning he'll get an invite to Spring Training and will probably start the season in AAA.
Ross Ohlendorf 7.2IP, 8H, 4BB, 3K, 3R
Ohlendorf was the pitcher I was most interested in (non-Trinity division). I had originally pegged Ohlendorf for a spot in the Yankee bullpen out of camp, but since then I've learned he went to Arizona to work on a split-finger fastball.
The split is an interesting choice because to throw it effectively the pitcher has to practice it enough to stretch the ligaments of his hand enough to wedge a ball between his index and middle fingers. I remember reading but cannot now located an article suggesting that it can take as much as a year for a pitcher to learn to throw the splitter effectively. If that's the case, I'm sure we'll see Ross in 2008, but I'm not sure of when.
Kevin Whelan 3.0IP, 5H, 4BB, 4R
Whelan only pitched in 3 games before he shut himself down with shoulder issues. I'm still excited to see him pitch in Scranton to start the season. If he can get his walks under control he's got lights out stuff.
Steven White 17.1IP 19H, 6BB, 11K, 14R
I'd say White beat out Corona for the "Most Disappointing AFL by a Yankee" Award. He'd been a fringe guy before this, the sort of player I'd have left in AAA until we needed a spot starter, then sent right back down. Now, he's less than that.
Eric Wordekemper 9.1IP, 8H, 2BB, 8K, 4R
Meet my new favorite pitching prospect. Wordekemper closed for Trenton last season and he should play most of 2008 in AA/AAA. If all goes well he can be a September call-up.