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Pending Pinstripes
Hughes v. Bailey
A look at the greatest debate in the (prospect) world:
Hughes, a 6-foot-5, 220-pound native of Santa Ana, Calif., has separated himself from Homer Bailey. While his repertoire on the hill is not that of Bailey’s, Hughes has no problem showing off something that Bailey does not have: impeccable control.
Last season, Bailey posted the greatest control numbers of his career with WHIP numbers of 1.00 and 1.15 at High-A and Double-A respectively. If Hughes had put up similar statistics, it would have been the worst year of his minor league career.
Hughes has never posted a WHIP over 0.91, which came in 21 starts last year at Double-A Trenton against tough competition in the Eastern League. Over the course of the 237.1 innings pitched in his minor league career, Hughes has done it all: 21-7 record, 2.13 ERA, amazing 269:54 K to BB clip, and of course, the microscopic WHIP of 0.86.
No one in their right mind will ever question Bailey’s talents, but you can see without too much analysis that he has walked twice as many batters per nine innings (4.07 to 2.05) as Hughes throughout their respective developments. If Homer Bailey continues to develop the way everyone expects him to, he will grasp the control needed to become a pitcher of, let’s say, Philip Hughes caliber.
But Hughes isn’t done developing either. Anyone else scared to see what this guy could do?
These two are both amazing young arms who any club in the big leagues would fall head over heals for, but if you really want to single out the best, look no further than Hughes. While he may not have the pure electric stuff of Homer Bailey on the hill, Philip Hughes and his impeccable control and poise at such a young age make this polished star the best young arm in the minor leagues.
Am I the only one that think Hughes could at the very least match whatever performance put forth by Pavano/Rasner/Karstens from the 5th start spot?
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6 Responses to “Hughes v. Bailey”
January 16th, 2007 at 2:20 pm
Prior to the Johnson trade, most projection systems listed Hughes as having the 2nd lowest ERA (around a 4.00) for a starter next season. I think he would easily put up better numbers than our 5th starter options.
Tom Verducci has an article on Hughes and Clemens at cnnsi:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/tom_verducci/01/16/yankees.cashman/index.html
January 16th, 2007 at 4:40 pm
That article right there made me smile, it is going to be tough to wait for Hughes to take the mound in the Bronx.
January 16th, 2007 at 4:58 pm
you are not alone in your belief that hughes could fill that 5th starters spot. Based on a major league equivalent projection system, hughes would have had an era in the low 4’s
January 16th, 2007 at 7:19 pm
Based on what I read in interview with Nardi Contreras, Hughes has 2 solid pitches right now, Fastball and Curve-ball (that he just learned in his first year as a professional). It was coach’s opinion, that he would need the third pitch: change-up. He has not thrown it consistently so they would probably work on it this year.
I am not sure if he can master a new pitch that fast and then survive the hot plate in Al East as rookie.
Verlander and Lirianno came to Majors at higher level and much more experience that Huges has right now. They were not pitching in Media capital of the world and everyone expects Hughes to match Verlander or Lirianno or even Weaver.
Not to mention the comparisons to Dice-K that would be forthcoming albeit unfair.
I think Tyler Clippard and Humberto Sanchez are in much better position to help Yankees right now. Humberto, if he is healthy is ready as any minor-league pitcher is going to get.
January 16th, 2007 at 9:14 pm
You think Hughes and Daisuke would be compared? I think the Igawa, Daisuke comparisons and more likely and probably even more unfair.
I am starting to not believe a word cashman says. The chances of Hughes staying in triple A the entire season even for the playoffs is astronomically low in my mind. All he needs to work on is to better his changeup which shouldnt take more than 100 innings at the most. Hughes should be up soon after. Probably even sooner if our rotation is absolutely falling apart. With two huge question marks, the clemens issue not settled and moose and pettitte’s injury history, I am going to say Hughes will be up in less than 100 triple A innings unless clemens comes to NY of course.
January 16th, 2007 at 10:32 pm
Cash Money never said Hughes WOULD spend the whole year at AAA. He just said it wouldn’t be a bad thing. And it’s true. He’s only 20. And while his FB and curve are plus, his change could use some work. We know when rookies dont perform for Joe, he doesn’t like giving them 2nd chances. We want rookies to come in with as much confidence as possible.
Even so, i read his change is currently ML average, so he has 2 plus (or plus-plus) pitches, and 1 average pitch. That would probably make him the Yanks 4th starter easily. But i agree with Cash that patience is a virtue with prospects, especially those of Hughes’ caliber. Even if he doesn’t see the Show until 08, he’ll be just 21 then.
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