Down on the Farm

Now that things are back in order in the MM household, time to get back to some effort here at My Pinstripes. With all of the excitement that Joba Chamberlain has brought to the Bronx, its understandable that many fans wanted Ian Kennedy to start last Tuesday's game against Baltimore. When you look at the season Kennedy has been having, it's hard to blame them.

Though he was roughed up his last time out, the Yankees number 1 pick in '06 has been nothing short of outstanding. Just look at his numbers at each of the 3 levels he's pitched this season.

Tampa 6-1, 1.29 ERA 72 strikes out in 62 innings pitched and just 39 hits allowed. Held opponents to a .183 average

Trenton 5-1, 2.59 ERA 57 strikeouts in 48.2 innings pitched and just 27 hits allowed. Held opponents to a .163 average

Scranton 1-0, 1.96 ERA 21 strikeouts in 23 innings pitched. Held opponents to a .235 average.

All levels combined - 12-2, 1.87 ERA in 134.2 IP and an opponents avg. of .185. His 48 walks are a little higher than you would like to see, but he makes up for it by not allowing hits. It's easy to see why this kid could be a mainstay of the rotation for a long time to come.
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Getting back to the craziness after Mariano Rivera blew a save in Wednesday afternoon's game. Listening to callers to Mike and the Mad Dog, and Michael Kay were down right embarrassing. Supposed loyal Yankees fans were quick to throw the greatest closer in MLB history under the bus. One moron even suggested sending him to the minors. Just as nuts was the cry for putting Joba Chamberlain, who had pitched all of 4 innings in the majors at that time, in as closer. Get a grip people.
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Jose Tabata's season has come to end. The 19-yr old stud prospect has been having hand and wrist problems since playing winter ball this past off-season. It's been decided that the issue is his hamate bone, a not uncommon condition for ball players. Tabata will have surgery this week to remove it and will sit out the rest of '07.
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Juan Miranda was signed this past off-season after defecting from his native Cuba. The 24-yr old (hopefully) 1st Baseman was given a 4 year, $2 million contract that required his addition to the 40 man roster. Though he hasn't really been discussed, Miranda has quietly put together a very solid season between Single-A and Double-A.

He hit .267-9-50 in 250 at-bats at Tampa, with a .812 OPS. He had 17 doubles, 3 triples, and 29 walks. As with most young hitters, Miranda needs to cut down on his strikeouts. He k'ed 60 times at Tampa.

Miranda has hit even better for Trenton. He's hitting .289-4-34 in 135 ABs, with 14 doubles, 2 triples, and an .881 OPS. His walk to strikeout ratio is nearly the same as it was at Tampa.

For the season, Miranda is hitting an overall .273 with 13 HRs and 84 RBI. Perhaps he'll be the starting 1st Baseman when the new Yankee Stadium opens in 2009.