Cano Walks Off, Garcia K's 10

Robinson Cano put a bow on the best performance from Ian Kennedy this year by hitting a walk off RBI single and giving the Yankees a 2-1 win. Kennedy tossed six innings, striking out four (but walking four) and allowing only one run on four hits. Escaping a bases-loaded with one out jam without yielding a run was the key point of the game.


IN PROSPECT NEWS:

Chris Garcia was an uber prospect out of high school but has since become an injury bitten enigma. This year, Garcia is making his way back into games and made his 2008 debut last week. Tonight, the 22 year-old Garcia tossed a gem by striking out 10 batters, walking one and surrendering two hits over six scoreless innings.

I haven't yet heard about Garcia's stuff or velocity, but when he was 100% healthy in years past he would use a plus fastball ranging from 92-95 mph and touching 97. Though his fastball is reportedly only at 91+ mph right now, Garcia will likely regain his velocity down the road. At 6'5 and 210 lbs. he has the perfect frame for workhorse power pitcher.

Pre Tommy John, Garcia also possesses dynamite off-speed pitches including a hammer power curveball 80-83 mph. Along with his knuckle curve Garcia also uses a devastating changeup around 80mph. It was said that when Garcia was healthy and could stay on the mound he had the best curve and changeup in the entire organization.

If Garcia dominates at A+ Tampa, he could move rather quickly. However, the most important part of Garcia's season will be proving he can remain healthy and log innings. Striking out 16 batters [to just 2 walks] through 10.2 innings this year is a step in the right direction.

Kennedy Looks Perfect At AAA

Ian Kennedy is showing his toughness. After being sent down to the minors due to his horribly ineffective start to the 2008 season, Kennedy has thrown five perfect innings in his first start since being demoted. He has five strikeouts and obviously zero walks or hits. [60 pitches and 41 strikes] Looks like Ike has no intentions of having an extended stay at Scranton Wilkes-Barre.

More updates throughout the game.

UPDATE 8:30: 7 innings, 1 hit, 7 strikeouts, no walks

UPDATE 9:00: Kennedy's night is over after throwing 7.1 innings Kennedy gave up just the one hit, did not walk a batter but struck out eight. Kennedy went 5.1 innings pitching perfect ball before surrendering a hit.

Looks like Kennedy got the message, which is essentially you gotta earn your playing time, rook.

UPDATE FROM SWB BLOG:

Chad Jennings has some quotes from Kennedy on his blog. Suffice to say Kennedy's confidence was palpable tonight, and that this type of performance could have occurred just as easily in the big leaguese:

“I’m trying to say it humbly, but it doesn’t matter what I say, it’s going to come out cocky,” he said. “You just know. I woke up today and told my wife, I just have a feeling I’m going to make these guys look stupid.”

“It felt like it was getting better and better the last two outings, and then I got called into the office and told I was coming here,” Kennedy said. “I knew it was time, one of these times it was going to come out and I was going to have an outing like this, because I know it’s in me."

“I just felt like I could do no wrong,” Kennedy said. “Whether it was 2-0, I didn’t care, I could place a fastball away. I’ve been working on it every start, getting my mind set in the big leagues. I felt like I was getting better and better every time. It just led up to this. It was inevitable for me to do well. It was just a matter of time.”

Talking to him, I got the feeling Kennedy believed he would have had a night like this regardless of where he pitched. He woke up today expecting to make hitters -- any hitters -- look stupid. He was going to have a good night here or in the big leagues. He just happened to be here.

The curveball and how well he commands it from start to start may become the most crucial portion of Kennedy's development. According to Jennings, Kennedy had good control of his hook, set up by strong fastball location.

Probably A Bad Idea Anyway

A Kansas City minor league team canceled an upcoming promotional night which would take the form of a Michael Vick Welcome Home party.

No dogs allowed:

The Kansas City T-Bones of the Northern League had planned to have a Michael Vick "Welcome to the Neighborhood" night May 28, complete with prison uniforms, spotlights and escape sirens. Other events promoting caring for animals also were planned.

Vick, the former Atlanta Falcons quarterback, is serving a 23-month sentence at the U.S. Penitentiary in nearby Leavenworth after pleading guilty to federal charges related to dogfighting.

I love the excuse the general manager gives for the event:

"It was not our intent to be culturally insensitive," T-Bones general manager Rick Muntean said. "We simply wanted to raise awareness for what we think are great causes."

Nats Send Down Clippard

Better late than never comes the report that former Yankee farmhand and myspace frequenter Tyler Clippard has been sent down by the Washington Nationals. I've always been a T-Clip fanatic of sorts and was sad to see his downward spiral last year from Mets killer to AA punching bag.

He pitched well in his last outing, but former Yankees prospect Tyler Clippard was optioned out of big league camp by the Nationals on Monday. Clippard pitched three times for the Nationals and had a 3.38 ERA through eight innings. Most of his numbers were impressive, but he did have five walks and one hit batter.

The positive side of being traded from the most prestigious team in professional sports to a tomato can like Washington is the dearth of starting pitching in the latter's system. This means Clippard, who would have been behind countless power-pitching prospects in the Yankees minor leagues is now near the head of the line within Washington's.

Baseball IQ's Top 15 Prospects

Here is a top prospect list I can dig. The compilation is based on several factors with a strong emphasis on each player's ceiling - an attribute I rate very high as well.

1. Joba Chamberlain (RHP) - 9B
2. Jose Tabata (OF) - 9C
3. Ian Kennedy (RHP) - 8B
4. Austin Jackson (OF) - 9C
5. Alan Horne (RHP) - 8C
6. Andrew Brackman (RHP) - 9D
7. Dellin Betances (RHP) - 9D
8. Jesus Montero (C/1B) - 9D
9. Humberto Sanchez (RHP) - 8C
10. Jeff Marquez (RHP) - 8C
11. Kevin Whelan (RHP) - 8C
12. George Kontos (RHP) - 8D
13. Ross Ohlendorf (RHP) - 7B
14. Shelley Duncan (OF/1B) - 7C
15. Kelvin DeLeon (OF) - 9E

PLAYER POTENTIAL RATING
Scale of (1-10) representing a player's upside potential.
10 - Hall of Fame-type player
9 - Elite player
8 - Solid regular
7 - Average regular
6 - Platoon player
5 - Major League reserve player
4 - Top minor league player
3 - Average minor league player
2 - Minor league reserve player
1 - Minor league roster filler

PROBABILITY RATING
Scale of (A-E) representing the player's realistic chances of achieving their potential.
A - 90% probability of reaching potential
B - 70% probability of reaching potential
C - 50% probability of reaching potential
D - 30% probability of reaching potential
E - 10% probability of reaching potential

About time somebody threw Humberto Sanchez and Dellin Betances ahead of Gardner or Marquez. Too bad Melancon wasn't in there as well, but hey nobody's perfect. I also like the inclusion of Kontos in the top 15. He is an intriguing prospect entering a crucial year in his development.

[Hat Tip to SWB Yankees Blog]