Minor League Mondays: Pitching News

Mood Music - Won't Go Home Without You by Maroon 5

On the menu today at Duggan's House of Sausage: Three orders of pitching news, one order of scouting report:

• Starting with some good news, Andrew Brackman has looked solid in his last two appearances after getting moved to the bullpen (Three innings, no hits, one walk, five strikeouts).  After some disastrous starts in 2009, Brackman really found his control and improved in the bullpen to close that season.  Hopefully he can enjoy a similar recovery in 2011, but we'll have to be seen if/when the Yankees decide to let him start again.
• Adam Warren has been terrific so far this season, posting a 3.33 ERA on the season and a 2.50 ERA in his last 36 innings (five starts).  However, he has lost his ability to get ground balls (0.74 ground outs/air outs in 2011 vs. 1.86 GO/AO in 2010) and get strikeouts (5.33 K/9 in 2011 vs. 8.44 K/9 in 2010), with the majority of his outs now coming on fly balls.  Something to keep an eye on.
• Manny Banuelos has allowed three or more walks in each of his last seven starts.  All that I really care about this year for Man-Ban is that he log ~130 innings in the minors and continue to learn, develop, and hopefully get his command back.

Jairo Heredia has been bossin' down in Tampa (link):  In 56.1 innings, Heredia has a 3.36 ERA, 2.84 FIP, 9.43 K/9, 1.60 BB/9, and a 1.03 WHIP.  Scouting (link):

Heredia is extremely polished for a young pitcher and has a great curve ball and has a fastball that’s been clocked in the mid 90′s. He commands both pitches very well and excels at finding the zone. His tremendous command is his trademark.

His fastball usually sits between 91-93 mph and has great sinking action. He could spot his fastball anywhere and it has late movement. His 12/6 curve ball sits between 75-78 mph and can change the eye-level of the hitter.

If Heredia hadn't made it onto your prospect radar as of yet, he's probably worth keeping your eye on.