Here's To You Mr. Robertson Or...It Can't Be Long Now

Dave Robertson just keeps getting nastier. Struck out the side Thursday night.

This year he's split time at AA and AAA, piling up 74 strikeouts over 51.2 innings-pitched.

Everyone within the Yankees organization realized the only thing holding back Robertson was his high walk rates. Enter the month of June. Over his last 10 appearances [beginning on June 3], Robertson has posted a 27-to-5 strikeout to walk ratio over 17 innings. Oh, by the way, he has a 1.06 ERA and only 7 hits allowed during that time.

When people talk about Nintendo numbers to describe a pitcher's statistics, just look at Dave Roberton's career minor league numbers. Just to keep you posted, that now makes it 136 career minor league innings without allowing a home run. As the former Alabama closer continues to shrink his bb/9 rate, the only question remaining is when?... as in when will he get the call?

At this point, is there anyone on Earth who would rather have LaTroy Hawkins pitching instead of Robertson? Well, besides Red Sox fans. Seriously, what a waste of a roster spot.

Meanwhile, JB Cox is back with the team and back to dominating late AAA innings.

Patterson Promoted To NY

According to multiple reports, Scott Patterson has finally been called up to the majors in lieu of the short hook which will be awaiting Joba Chamberlain on Tuesday. Patterson was a wounded soldier after not making the big club out of Spring training, and that could have led to the tough start to his AAA campaign this year.

Over his 22 appearances [and 23.2 innings] at Scranton, Patterson struck out 22, walked just five, allowed 22 hits and pitched to a 3.04 ERA. Over his last 10 outings Patterson has 8 strikeouts, zero walks and 7 hits over 10.1 innings pitched with a 1.74 ERA.

Much of Patterson's success spawns from his unorthodox, funky delivery seen here:


The corresponding move was Morgan Ensberg getting the ol' DFA.

W.O.W.

What a horrendous loss. New York surrendered three straight leads of 4-0 and 8-4 and finally 9-8. The last two bullpen options to close the game were Jose Veras and someone who can't get lefties out.

To me, Veras was the choice as the upcoming inning called for three straight lefthanded hitters. However Joe Girardi calledup upon LaTroy Hawkins who will now have a new chant at Yankee Stadium: D-F-A.

Boy oh boy will the "Joba stays in the pen" crowd have a field day with this one.

Columnists Want Joba In Pen

Completely unsurprising in its uniformity, is the shared opinion of most baseball columnists that moving Joba Chamberlain to the rotation is a mistake. Taking the George Washington Bridge at 4 o'clock could be a mistake as well, but if it's the smartest route toward your destination, how are you going to know unless you actually give it a shot.

Keeping Chamberlain in the bullpen this year means another wasted year in which Chamberlain hasn't thrown enough innings to become a fulltime starter next season. It's always funny to me to see those stubborn sports writers (not all of course) try out their crystal balls and pretend a setup man supercedes the contributions a frontine starter could offer.

It was especially enjoyable to hear one particular beat reporter contend the Yankees might have won yesterday had Joba been pitching and not Hawkins/Veras. Discard the fact that the Yankees were losing when the terrible twosome entered the ballgame, there have to be other relievers in the Yankees pen besides Chamberlain and Mariano Rivera. If New York was protecting a 1-0 lead in the eighth inning in which Hawkins and Vera's blew, there would have at least been a point to take seriously.

As Big Club Falters, Minors Prosper

The big club in the Bronx may look like the Bad News Bears recently, but the Yankees minor leaguers are giving fans something to smile about.

With Joba Chamberlain's meteoric rise through the minors a well-chronicled journey last year, fans will be much more inclined to keep their ears open for the next young fireballer. Hopefully some of my thoughts will contribute toward your overall prospect knowledge in some capacity.

Periodically throughout every week I will recap the most noteworthy goings-on in the baby bombers arena. Today the focus will be on rising pitching prospects who all took the mound on Tuesday night.

Zach McAllister continues to dominate Sally league:

Last night - 8 innings, 6 hits, 1 earned run, 0 walks, 6 strikeouts.

Over his past two starts McAllister [pictured above] has thrown 15 innings, struck out 17, walked zero and allowed one earned run. That's domination. Over nine starts this season McAllister has had exactly one outing which was not very good.

Mark Melancon's progression has been superaltive:

Last night - 3 hitless and scoreless innings, 4 strikeouts, 1 walk, 5 groundball outs to zero in the air. [Melancon entered the game in a 0-0 tie and held off Reading until his team scored three runs in the top of the 10th before closing it out with a 1-2-3 inning]

Once again, that's domination. If you had never heard his name before and went to see him pitch now, you would assume Melancon had been making his way through the minor league ranks for at least a couple years before arriving in Trenton. [Try 37 career minor league innings] His mound demeanor and stuff continue to soar off scouting charts.

JB Cox knocking on the door:

Last night - 1.2 innings, 0 hits, 0 earned runs, 1 walk

His last professional season - which was at AA Trenton - was a dominant campaign for the former Texas University closer. Since returning from elbow surgery this year, Cox has pitched 16.1 innings with a 1.65 ERA and 2.38 GO/AO rate. Safe to say the sinker/slider repertoire remained intact for Cox. Should JB continue to pitch this well at AAA - for say a month or so - he could soon bolster a Joba-less bullpen.

Scott Patterson recovers from early woes:

Last night - 1 inning, 0 hits/runs/walks/strikeouts

In his last nine appearances, Patterson has not allowed an earned run. Over those 9.1 innings the funky righthander allowed 6 hits, 2 walks to go with 9 strikeouts. On the year Patterson has now tossed 20 innings, giving up 17 hits while striking out 19 to just 5 walks and posting a solid 2.70 ERA. It would seem Patterson has fully returned after a poor start to his 2008 season.

Ivan Nova looking to get on track:

Last night - 8 innings, 2 hits, 0 runs, 6 strikeouts, 1 walk

In by far his best start of the season, Nova looked like the dominating pitcher many Yankee fans hope he can develop into. Though this season - and somewhat his career - has been extremely inconsistent, the 21 year-old still has a great deal of promise, evidenced by last night's performance. There had been rumors this April that Nova had lost some of the velocity off his plus fastball [which averaged 93mph last year], but building on his last start would help to quiet his critics.

Joba's Potential Replacements,Cox and Melancon Promoted

Two possible substitutes for Joba Chamberlain in the back of the Yankees bullpen, Mark Melancon and JB Cox, were each given a promotion to AA and AAA respectively.

Cox is the more advanced of the two, mostly because he has logged more professional innings before going down with his elbow injury. Melancon probably has the best stuff, however, and may have the better make-up to pitching in the eighth inning.

Whatever the case may be, both Cox and Melancon have the stuff and mentality to contribute to the Yankees big league pen this summer.

From the SWB Yanks blog:

The Yankees on Tuesday promoted J.B. Cox to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre...

Thanks to a text message good friend John Nalbone, is that Mark Melancon is taking Cox's place in Trenton. Melancon has been in Tampa where he's allowed one run in his past 13.1 innings. He's also walked two and struck out 15 in that span.

The Yankees brass just took another meaningful step toward inserting Chamberlain into the starting five.

The Joba Replacement ProgramCandidate #2 - JB Cox

From The Thunder Blog, comes the member of the Tommy John quartet who's closest to the majors - J.B. Cox. [The rest of the TJ foursome includes Humberto Sanchez, Mark Melancon and darkhorse Christian Garcia]

Take a look at his patented outpitch, a consistently devastating slider:



Meanwhile, Cox was excellent over 41 appearances at AA in 2006. The former Texas University closer [and Huston Street's successor] logged 77 innings, allowing 54 hits, 24 walks, striking out 60 to accompany a 1.75 ERA and 1.01 WHIP during his first stay at Trenton. In a small sample-size this year - a mere 10 innings - Cox allowed 10 hits, 2 earned runs, 2 walks, and 6 strikeouts.

Assuming his stuff has returned to pre-Tommy John levels, Cox utilizes a fastball at 88-92 mph which has extremely heavy sink and movement. His best pitch, however, may be his hard biting slider which is generally 83-85 mph. The development of his changeup may be a key cog in his progress towards the big leagues.

The somewhat sidearm delivery Cox uses, as well as the power slider he commands so well, often draw comparisons to a dominant former Yankees setup man in Jeff Nelson. If Cox could ever mimic Nelson's efficiency in the 7th or 8th inning, the Yankees would be exponentially more comfortable with the prospect of Joba Chamberlain joining the rotation.

Veras Promoted To New York

Jose Veras has been promoted to the Yankees bullpen, filling in the spot vacated when Hughes was placed on the disabled list. Veras pitched very well while in AAA and earned saves in each of his last seven appearances.

On the year [13 appearances] Veras has allowed a mere two earned runs - both of which came in one game - and posted a season ERA of 1.38. Over those 13 innings: 8 hits, 4 walks, 21 strikeouts, .170 opponent batting average.

As Chad Jennings notes, Veras' one-inning pedigree may mean a short stay in the Bronx as long relievers are in steady demand these days. Also, the Sunday promotion of Darrell Rasner will mean a corresponding demotion is in order.

The $126 Million Reliever

One of the most unbelievable stories in Major League Baseball is Barry Zito's complete regression into a Jamie Moyer-like starter, except he is 29 and not collecting Social Security checks.

The story took another ugly turn as Zito has been moved to the Giants bullpen until they can fake his death further notice:

Barry Zito was demoted to the bullpen Monday by the San Francisco Giants, who hope the former ace can correct his problems by working in relief.

Zito, who only 16 months ago signed a $126 million, seven-year contract with the Giants to lead their rotation, was informed of the move in a meeting with manager Bruce Bochy.

The left-hander has lost his first six starts this season and has a 7.53 ERA that jumped considerably after Zito was tagged for eight earned runs in a 10-1 loss Sunday to Cincinnati.

BA Likes McCutchen, Robertson

Baseball America's John Manuel likes Trenton pitchers Daniel McCutchen and Dave Robertson to contribute toward the Yankees late-inning bullpen spot vacated when Joba Chamberlain moves to the rotation this summer.

From Wednesday's ESPN chat:

Matt (PA): Melancon, Cox, Sanchez or Horne.. Who gets that call up first for the Yankees once Joba hits the rotation? So I guess around the all-star break.

John Manuel: Good question, but there are many other options--David Robertson is a sleeper who could be a factor, he's dealing at Trenton right now. Also Dan McCutcheon, who is a starter but could slide into a relief role with his stuff and aggressive approach. I actually like both those guys better for a middle relief role this year than those you mentioned except for Melancon. If Melancon is at full strength, he's the guy. Sanchez and Cox won't help the Yankees in New York this year, IMO.

Now serving as Trenton's closer, the 23 year-old David Robertson has already thrown 14 innings compiling a 0.64 ERA and 21 K’s. In 2007, his first year of pro ball, he went 8-3 flashing an 0.96 ERA over 84 innings with 113 strikeouts and only 32 walks.

As the closer for Alabama it was said Robertson possessed a 95-96 mph blazing fastball, but in the minor leagues scouts soon realized his fastball was really 89-92. However, the explosive late-movement on his fastball is so dramatic that it seems to be 3 to 4 ticks higher. Hitters simply cannot catch up with his fastball which, at its best, runs 90-93 mph. He compliments his riding fastball with a hammer curve which is his outpitch.

Also, don't forget about Scott Patterson who has struggled a bit at AAA after being robbed of a major league roster spot out of Spring training. Jose Veras and his mid-90s fastball also remain in Scranton Wilkes-Barre where over 9 innings he has struck out 15, walked 3, notched 5 saves with a 2.00 ERA.

Joba's Plan Ain't New[Well, Duh]

Joel Sherman finally figured out the Yankees plan for Joba Chamberlain in 2008 - pitching half the year in the bullpen before joining the rotation - is not some crazy, unprecedented blueprint.

The Cardinals are masters of this maneuver. Rotation members Brad Thompson, Todd Wellemeyer and Joel Pineiro (on the DL) each had 10 starts and 20 relief appearances in 2007. Ace Adam Wainwright and Braden Looper moved from closers to starters. St. Louis GM John Mozeliak said longtime pitching coach Dave Duncan "has a model in mind of who can make the conversion generally it is big guys who have shown durability and have more than two pitches."

Chamberlain is certainly a big guy. And Gil Patterson, who worked as a pitching coordinator for the Yankes in 2006-07, vouched that Chamberlain's "curve and changeup are not far behind his fastball and slider, which are electric" and that "there is no question with stamina. He was throwing [last year] 95-96 [mph] in pitches 80 to 90."

But the two cases most similar to where the Yanks are with Chamberlain involve Santana and the Dodgers' Chad Billingsley.

Shocker, considering last year's use of Chad Billingsley by the LA Dodgers is the comparison this blog and countless others have referenced in illustrating the advantage and safety of such a program.

The Dodgers righty was 22 last season, the same as Chamberlain this year. It was his first full major league campaign. He opened with 23 games in relief (6-4, 3.09 ERA, 40 strikeouts in 35 innings). He followed with 20 starts (8-5, 3.38 ERA with 101 whiffs in 112 innings). In total, he pitched 147 innings and began this year as a full-time member of the rotation, a combo similar to what the Yanks envision for Chamberlain between 2008 and 2009.

And Dodgers GM Ned Colletti cited almost the same reasons for Billingsley's usage pattern in 2007 as the Yanks offer for Chamberlain in 2008: "He was ready for the big leagues. Our bullpen was comprised in such a way that we needed him there to start. We got him big-league time and experience without extending his innings or putting him in danger physically. . . . By the end of the year, we wished we had two of him because when we took him out of 'pen the 'pen suffered."

Johan Santana is the other example many [including Sherman] use as a measuring stick for Chamberlain:

Santana climbed from 1081/3 innings in 2002 to 1581/3 innings in 2003, and then in his age-25 season began a four-year stretch in which he became exclusively a starter and led the AL (9121/3 ) in innings before joining the Mets. Santana's arm probably was protected by the gradual innings progression, as the Yanks New York Yanke hope they are doing with Joba.

"At this point, I would have to say, yes [that the 'pen was good for him]," Santana said. "Back then? No. I wanted to be a starter my whole career. . . . I learned a lot in the bullpen. It gives you more time to think, and I went through every possible situation as a pitcher. You're exposed to everything out there, and I'm a guy who's always watched and listened. If Joba does the same thing, he'll be fine."

Hughes Strong In Final Start

Saturday night's matchup against the Florida Marlins didn't start well for Phil Hughes. The righthander needed 25 pitches and allowed a run on two hits in the first frame. However, he would use only 44 pitches over the next four innings, over which time he did not allow an earned run and only one more hit.

Of the 69 pitches thrown during his five innings of work, Hughes tossed 44 of them for strikes, struck out four and mixed in a good percentage of sliders and changeups throughout. According to MLB Gameday, Hughes was throwing his fastball 93-95 mph all night along with a solid curveball 74-76 mph.

In his final two starts of the Spring - often times considered the most important starts of camp - Hughes logged 10 innings, allowed six hits, struck out 10, walked three and allowed four earned runs. He threw 155 pitches, 98 of which went for strikes. A solid strike-to-ball ratio of 63%.

He commanded the fastball nearer the level associated with Hughes and appears to understand the importance of trusting his changeup and slider more often. Whether or not his command of these pitches translates to the real games will be seen soon enough.


Notes:

• Derek Jeter left the game with a bruised pinky, afterwards saying he was fine.

• The Yankees relief was very strong as Mariano Rivera retired the only batter he faced, Kyle Farnsworth struck out the two batters he faced and somehow threw 7 of his 8 pitches for strikes. Brian Bruney struck out the two he faced, throwing 11 of 15 for strikes. Joba Chamberlain struck out one and retired the only other hitter he faced, needing only six pitches all of which were strikes. Ross Ohlendorf allowed a double to lead off the 9th, but struck out two and stranded the runner to earn the save.

Roster Set, Pettitte To DL

The roster is set, and my previous post's discussion has become a reality as Andy Pettitte has been placed on the disabled list and eligible to return Saturday.

Without further adieu, your 2008 New York Yankees:

Lineup
Johnny Damon LF
Derek Jeter SS
Bobby Abreu RF
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Jason Giambi 1B
Jorge Posada C
Hideki Matsui DH
Robinson Cano 2B
Melky Cabrera CF

Bench
Jose Molina C
Shelley Duncan IF/OF
Morgan Ensberg IF
Wilson Betemit IF

Rotation
Chien-Ming Wang
Mike Mussina
Phil Hughes
Ian Kennedy

Bullpen
Mariano Rivera
Joba Chamberlain
Kyle Farnsworth
LaTroy Hawkins
Billy Traber
Ross Ohlendorf
Jon Albaladejo
Brian Bruney

The Yankees will not have a long man to begin the season, but the extra relief spot during Pettitte's absence makes up for it. Joe Girardi says there will be a longman reliever in the Yankees bullpen at some point this season - probably sooner than later.

Pettitte Healthy After Bullpen

Andy Pettitte is feeling fine after throwing a bullpen this morning which leaves the lefty ready to make the third start of the season. Pettitte is now scheduled to pitch a minor league game on Saturday and if he comes through it alright will be all systems go for the regular season.

"It makes me feel good that I got though that and I felt good," Pettitte said. "I could just tell that I felt a whole lot better this morning when I woke up. It loosened up nice for me."

In other news, Johnny Damon may miss a few more days of work after coming down with the flu.

Breaking News: Joba Is Good

Joba Chamberlain struck out the side on eleven pitches in his one inning of work today. This was the first time this Spring it seemed like Chamberlain really let loose with his pitches. Slider was nasty, fastball well commanded 95-96 mph and the minor leaguers he faced looked defenseless. Joba is talented enough to pitch six innings every five days or two innings in two days, so it will be interesting to see his season shape up.

Ian Kennedy also looked very good. His target was 75 pitches for the day and he threw 76. Over 4.1 innings he allowed five hits [the last of which was a popfly misplayed by his infield], one run, struck out four and walked zero. His changeup looked exceptional and he was spotting the ball well with his heater around 87-90mph. The curveball was not as consistent, but he struck out a batter with a well placed deuce in the dirt. [Sounds like kindergarten humor doesn't it]

Girardi: Joba Starts In Pen

Joe Girardi finally declared what we already knew months ago, that Joba Chamberlain will begin the season in the bullpen:

Joe Girardi said just a few minutes ago that RHP Joba Chamberlain would open the season in the bullpen.

He left open the possibility that Chamberlain will move into the rotation later this season. “His future will be as a starter,” Girardi said.

Chamberlain will pitch in relief against Toronto tomorrow and again on Saturday. Ian Kennedy will start against the Blue Jays, a sign that he has nailed down the No. 5 starter job.

There will be no Joba Rules. Chamberlain can be used for multiple innings and on consecutive days. “It will be common sense,” Girardi said.

Some Old Joba News

Joba Chamberlain will start the year in the bullpen. I thought we all came to this realization months ago?

With less than two weeks remaining before the Yankees break camp, Joba Chamberlain believes that he will begin the year in New York's bullpen.

"You stretch your innings out and you go from five or six [innings] to one or two, and it's a little bit easier to go that way," Chamberlain said. "It's good. My arm strength is good, and I felt loose in my last outing. I'm looking forward to getting to New York."

"It's a long Spring Training and a lot of things can happen. I knew the situation of what was going to happen. I was hoping everybody would stay healthy and I'd get the chance to do whatever they had set for me."

On potentially joining the starting rotation midseason:

"We'll cross that bridge if it comes," Chamberlain said. "It's one of those things you can say, but until you're put in that situation, you don't know. I think if that comes about, we'll have to sit down and talk about it, but right now we'll just take it one day at a time.

"You can do anything you set your mind to. You've got to be patient. That's kind of the hardest part, just being patient with what's going on, and not get overanxious and rushed."

Here's a story of a guy named Patterson. If Scott Patterson had never stubbed his fingers in a doorjam three years ago, he may have never taken up relief pitching. But he did, was forced out of his starter role and promptly lit up minor league batters to the tune of a 1.47 earned run average and 136 strikeouts in 116 innings. "In six games [this March], he has allowed no runs or walks in six innings, and opposing hitters are 1 for 18." I'd say Scottie's moved on from "the sleeper" to a strong candidate to make the big club out of Spring training. I've encountered Patterson while at Trenton last season and he is humble by nature, making this opportunity - at age 28 - a well deserved one.

Pettitte OK After Bullpen Session.

After an elbow issue scratched him from his start on Wednesday, Andy Pettitte longtossed, threw some warmup pitches and then 40 more off the mound without any discomfort or setbacks.

“I felt great, really great,” said Pettitte, who skipped his last start with slight elbow tendinitis. “I have no concerns.”

Pettitte's next start will be against Boston where he should build up to five innings or 70 pitches of work.

Sherman: Joba to the pen. Like the MSNBC report discussed on Friday, Joel Sherman's NY Post story claims to be an "exclusive" story on Joba Chamberlain beginning the season in the bullpen. He will likely pitch 40+ innings in relief before moving to the rotation for another 90+ innings during the second half of the season.

Joba Chamberlain will prepare during spring training as a starter, but will begin the season in the Yankee bullpen barring injury to any of the other five main rotation members, team officials confirmed to The Post.

It had been speculated throughout the offseason that Chamberlain could open in the 'pen as a way to restrain his innings from going beyond the approximately 140 the organization wants to limit him to in 2008.

The starting rotation, barring an injury, appears to be set with Wang, Pettitte, Hughes, Kennedy and Mussina. At some point after the all star break, the Yankees will move Chamberlain to the minor leagues for 3-4 weeks so they can stretch him out in lieu of making him a starter. He will then move to starting staff where either Hughes, Kennedy or Mussina will be pushed into another role.