Kennedy nearly throws perfect game

Post #1 » by **nykgeneralmanager** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 2:35 am

Kennedy nearly threw a perfect game tonight. With 1 out to go, he had allowed 0 hits and 0 walks (but 2 men reached on errors, so it wasn't really a perfect game). Then there was a 3rd error to pro-long the game, and the next hitter doubled to break up the no-no.

I know a lot of people have lost hope in him, and some have even given up completely (why people give up on 22 year olds with 50 major league innings is beyond me, but thats besides the point). But lets remember that a year ago this kid was our future #3 behind Joba and Hughes. He can still be that guy when he has his command, he can be very effective. He won't have amazing numbers like Joba because his raw stuff isn't as spectacular, but the potential for a very effective middle of the rotation guy is there. He has quality pitches, great command when right, and great pitchability. He has everything you need to succeed, and I just feel that he has gotten a raw deal and people don't even consider him to be in the long-term picture anymore.

In his past 2 starts, he has pitched 14 innings, allowing 4 hits, 1 ER, and 1 BB with 9 Ks.

Pharmcat · Post #2 » by **Pharmcat** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 2:42 am

he's a minor league bully who cant hack it in the real league....i remember the one time this year, he had a start in a minor, and did fine, then got called up again 5 days later and pitched bad....he just doesnt have the AL stuff, in the NL, he could be ok since NL lineups arent as deep...i dont see anything in him to write home bout

cmaff051 · Post #3 » by **cmaff051** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 3:02 am

Bring him back up.

Let's give him 5-10 more starts in the majors. We are going to need to be patient with him. He has more upside than Sidney Ponson or Darrel Rasner.

Post #4 » by **sully00** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 3:14 am

Pharmcat wrote:he's a minor league bully who cant hack it in the real league....i remember the one time this year, he had a start in a minor, and did fine, then got called up again 5 days later and pitched bad....he just doesnt have the AL stuff, in the NL, he could be ok since NL lineups arent as deep...i dont see anything in him to write home bout

If anything the Yanks rushed the kid through the system. Can't hack it in the bigs? Jump to conclusions much it can take a kid years not days to become an effective starter, never mind in the AL East and for the NY Yankees. He pitched one season in the minors.

Post #5 » by **nykgeneralmanager** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 3:24 am

Pharmcat wrote:he's a minor league bully who cant hack it in the real league....i remember the one time this year, he had a start in a minor, and did fine, then got called up again 5 days later and pitched bad....he just doesnt have the AL stuff, in the NL, he could be ok since NL lineups arent as deep...i dont see anything in him to write home bout

After 20 major league innings in 2007 he was a future stud who was going to be around for over a decade. After 30 major league innings in 2008 he is now a career minor leaguer who can find some time in the majors, such as a Rasner or Karstens.

Shortsightedness much?

Pharmcat · Post #6 » by **Pharmcat** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 3:43 am

i dont know who called him a future stud...he just doesnt have the control needed to survive in the mlb when u dont have the gas, and he walked guys too...i just go by what i saw, and like i said, its nothing to write home bout with this pitcher

cmaff051 · Post #7 » by **cmaff051** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 3:54 am

Pharmcat wrote:i dont know who called him a future stud...he just doesnt have the control needed to survive in the mlb when u dont have the gas, and he walked guys too...i just go by what i saw, and like i said, its nothing to write home bout with this pitcher

He had great command in the minors.

He had great command at USC.

I also think he'll have great command with the New York Yankees, if we are patient with him.

If he gets hit around, that is another story, but command has always been his strong point. It's something that we should soon see at the major league level.

Post #8 » by **nykgeneralmanager** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 3:54 am

Pharmcat wrote:i dont know who called him a future stud...he just doesnt have the control needed to survive in the mlb when u dont have the gas, and he walked guys too...i just go by what i saw, and like i said, its nothing to write home bout with this pitcher

Come on everybody was in love with the trio the entire winter, some people even felt that Kennedy was untouchable. He DOES have the control for the majors, he just struggled with it for 40 innings this season, not unusual for a 22 year old rookie don't you think? I'm not trying to say he will be bad or great, I'm just saying there is no logical way to come to that conclusion at this infant stage of his career.

He has had about 200 minor league innings, while most guys accumulate 400-500 before reaching the majors. And you're already declaring his major league career as a failure?

Post #9 » by **PR07** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 6:49 am

I'd honestly trade him at this point. I don't see his value getting any higher, and if he flops again, his value goes from an A- to a C+ aka pretty much a disaster for the Yankees. I'd try to make him the centerpiece in a trade for Jason Bay.

I mean when you think about it, looking at the next 5 seasons:

SP: Sabathia/Sheets
SP: Wang
SP: Joba
SP: Hughes
SP: ???

You essentially have one starting spot up for grabs. I think we have higher ceiling prospects than IPK to take it.

Slamm Goodbody · Post #10 » by **Slamm Goodbody** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 11:31 am

Kennedy deserves another shot if he keeps mowing down the competition in AAA. He's too young to just give up on and I don't consider the small sample size some proof that he's a lost cause. His control issues on the major league level are more likely than not a product of nerves and confidence. He'll get another chance, maybe not this year, but definitely somewhere down the road.

TKF · Post #11 » by **TKF** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 2:21 am

good thread, and I agree, he just needs time. If we can get hughes healthy along with kennedy and we look at what joba did tonight in fenway, and then add wang! our rotation is going to be very damn good...

Pharmcat · Post #12 » by **Pharmcat** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 3:45 am

there is no space for IPK...you got joba, wang, phil, moose/pettite, sabathia/sheets....plus brackman among others in another year or so....id be open to giving IPK some starts to prop his value and trade him

cmaff051 · Post #13 » by **cmaff051** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 3:51 am

Pharmcat wrote:there is no space for IPK...you got joba, wang, phil, moose/pettite, sabathia/sheets....plus brackman among others in another year or so....id be open to giving IPK some starts to prop his value and trade him

Injuries my friend, injuries. There is always room for quality starting pitching.

Bring 6 quality starters to spring training. You'll use all 6.

Post #14 » by **nykgeneralmanager** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 4:00 am

Pharmcat wrote:there is no space for IPK...you got joba, wang, phil, moose/pettite, sabathia/sheets....plus brackman among others in another year or so....id be open to giving IPK some starts to prop his value and trade him

So you're banking on a $130 million free agent signing as well as guys who are only in A ball? Trust me, there is room for IPK for the foreseeable future.

Pharmcat · Post #15 » by **Pharmcat** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 4:00 am

i just need to see more starts, tats all....im not convinced from wat i saw this year

cmaff051 · Post #16 » by **cmaff051** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 2:21 am

Welcome back to the majors, Ian.

I'll be very surprised if he doesn't get a call-up tonight or tommorow.

Post #17 » by **HCYanks** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 2:24 am

My fear is they'll give into the Mariners' stupid demands for a Washburn trade.

cmaff051 · Post #18 » by **cmaff051** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 2:26 am

HCYanks wrote:My fear is they'll give into the Mariners' stupid demands for a Washburn trade.

Come on, give Cashman some credit, he's better than that.

When is the last time Cashman got fleeced in a trade?

Post #19 » by **HCYanks** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 3:20 am

cmaff051 wrote:
HCYanks wrote:My fear is they'll give into the Mariners' stupid demands for a Washburn trade.

Come on, give Cashman some credit, he's better than that.

When is the last time Cashman got fleeced in a trade?

You're probably right. I'm just a little edgy since i'm not as sold on the Marte/Nady trade as most people. Although i'll admit my problem with the deal is about needs and not value.

Balkman32 · Post #20 » by **Balkman32** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 5:48 pm

Bye Bye Sidney!