Free The Prospects

Sergio Mitre is the last straw.

The front office has shown no faith in the prospects that it has drafted, hoarded and trained.

I want to see George Kontos in the South Bronx. He's 26 years old, in his third AAA stint and posting impressive numbers: 46.2IP, 1.01 WHIP, 9.6 K/9.

I want to see Adam Warren. At 23, he's already averaged over 6 innings of work per start (15 GS). He's posted his worst BB/9 of his career, and his WHIP is still under 1.3. Give him a spot start.

Kevin Whelan is now 27 and the last piece of the Gary Sheffield trade with hope of making the majors. But when his cup of coffee is an inning and a third, and now he's being passed over for Sergio Mitre? Whelan's posted a WHIP below 1, 10K/9, and a 5:1 K:BB ratio. What does he have left to prove in a third season in Scranton?

It doesn't make sense, and it can't be both ways. These guys can't be too valuable to trade away while also not being good enough for the Bronx. Like Ian Kennedy, like Mark Melancon, like Austin Jackson- not good enough for the Bronx doesn't mean not good to bring back quality players in return.

The Major Leagues are filled with former Yankees who never got a real shot here:

Kennedy is making a decent case to be the Diamondback's All-Star (116IP, 1.09 WHIP, 7.5K/9)

Jeff Karstens (84.2IP, 1.10 WHIP, 3:1 K:BB) just replaced Ross Ohlendorf (averaged 145IP, 1.29 WHIP, 1.94:1 K:BB) when Ohlendorf went down with a shoulder injury.

Melancon is closing games for the Astros (37.2IP, 1.35 WHIP, 2.54 K:BB).

In fairness to Mitre, he's having a good year. He's probably a smart pickup- he pitched well for the Yankees last year, and he can fill that Alfredo Aceves/ Ramiro Mendoza role.

But with so many prospects knocking on the door, I have to wonder: what do they have to do to get a start?