Minor League Pitching Updates
Thanks to some prominent beat writers, we have updates on the status of several Yankee pitching prospects that are rehabbing, injured or changing levels:
Phil Hughes - Hughes is only able to condition at this point, and he is still in the process of healing. He's scheduled for an x-ray later this month, and is now wearing glasses. (source)
Future Role: MLB rotation
Jeff Karstens - Karstens tossed three innings in an extended spring training game over the weekend and is scheduled to pitch five innings today. If he does well, he'll start a rehab assignment with Trenton or Scranton. (source)
Future Role: Triple-A rotation, possible long man
Humberto Sanchez - Sanchez is currently throwing off a mound and will likelky see live action in early June. According to Sanchez, his breaking and off-speed stuff is coming along nicely, but he is unsure about his velocity. (source)
Future Role: MLB bullpen
Andrew Brackman - The Yankees 2007 first-round draft pick is still rehabbing after undergoing Tommy John surgery nine months ago. He's currently throwing fastballs off a mound, but will not see any live action this season. (source)
Future Role: Single-A rotation (2009)
Alan Horne - Horne is ready to rejoin the Triple-A Scranton rotation after throwing in a simulated game yesterday in Tampa. According to Horne, the session went great, and he feels ready. There is no official word on when Horne will rejoin the S/WB Yankees. (source)
Future Role: Triple-A rotation, MLB bullpen
Daniel McCutchen - Staten Island Advance beat writer David Waldstein and Trenton Thunder manager Tony Franklin both feel that McCutchen is capable of pitching at a higher level, and could probably help strengthen the big league pen thanks to his aggressive approach on the mound. McCutchen has posted a 2.52 ERA and 46/15 K/BB ratio in 50 innings this season for Double-A Trenton. (source)
Future Role: MLB bullpen
J.B. Cox - Cox was promoted to Triple-A Scranton yesterday, and if he fares well at this level, he'll probably be in New York before the All-Star break. Splitting time with Single-A Tampa and Double-A Trenton, Cox threw 12.2 innings wit ha 1.98 ERA. He is primarily a ground ball pitcher, so don't expect a high strikeout rate, but he has terrific control on his sinker, and his slider is a plus pitch as well. Cox missed the 2007 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. (source)
Future Role: MLB bullpen
Mark Melancon - Melancon was promoted to Double-A Trenton yesterday in order to replace Cox in the bullpen. Like Cox, Melancon missed the 2007 season because of Tommy John surgery, but he's put up great numbers in the Florida State League (20/6 K/BB, 2.84 ERA in 25.1 IP). According to reports, Melancon's makeup, composure, work ethic and attitude are off the charts, and many feel that it will be this (combined with his outstanding control) that will help make him the heir to Mariano Rivera's throne. He'll need to impress at the Triple-A level before he gets a big league promotion this season, but odds are he'll end up with the Yankees in mid-July. (source)
Future Role: major league bullpen (2008), major league closer (2010)
Kevin Whelan - Whelan made his season debut for Single-A Tampa last night and tossed two scoreless innings, allowing one hit, striking out one and walking one. Whelan has not been able to pitch this year because of a sore elbow, but if he can improve on his control, he might a future as a major league reliever. (source)
Future Role: Triple-A bullpen (2009)




