Joba Struggling, Aceves Thriving (UPDATE)
As we just passed the halfway point in spring training, I thought it would be time for us to take a look at how the fight for the 5th spot in the rotation is shaping up. At the start of the spring, the talk surrounding the Yankees was that Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes were the key contenders to win the spot to pitch behind Javy Vasquez. As spring training has progressed, a few other pitchers improved. Alfredo Aceves and Sergio Mitre are having a great spring training, as seen in the table below. I would love to sit here and say that the Yankees should base their decision on numbers like this, but personally, I don’t feel statistics in spring training should be the sign as to whether or not a pitcher should win the 5th spot. It should be considered, but it should contribute about 25% towards the decision.
PITCHER IP ERA SO BB
Alfredo Aceves 10 0.90 5 0
Phil Hughes 8.2 2.07 4 2
Sergio Mitre 9 3.00 7 2
Chad Gaudin 7 7.71 4 2
Joba Chamberlain 3.2 27.00 2 6
In spring training it’s rough to gauge how players will truly perform come the regular season. We can’t forget spring training of 2009 when Brett Gardner belted 5 home runs in March and made the Opening Day roster. Gardner is good, but did not perform near that level in ’09. I am saying this because Alfredo Aceves‘ numbers could be stellar because he was facing AA/AAA guys without Major League experience who he was able to dominate. Phil Hughes may have faced starters at the beginning of games which is why his ERA is hovering at 3.00.
The main que
stion here, however, is Joba Chamberlain. What is going on?! Allowing an ERA of 27.00 in 3.2 is inexcusable for someone expected to be “fighting” for the 5th spot in the rotation. I don’t know if he is trying something different on the mound that he is not comfortable with, trying a different routine, but whatever it is, he is on the brink of being completely eliminated from the race. His strikeout to walk ratio this spring is .333 which is absolutely awful. A good ratio is anywhere between 3.00 and 5.00. I know it’s tough to gauge how an entire season would pan out, but these stats do not sound promising at all.
I read an article in the NY Post today by George A. King III where Joe Girardi is quoted as saying:
“Got to pick it up, we have told him [Joba] you got to pitch now. We gave you those couple of starts to get under your belt. Now you have to show us, you got to pitch. You want to see him execute pitches and do the things you have to do to be successful. Be ahead in the count. You don’t want to be walking people. You want to attack hitters and you want to make quality pitches.”
David Eiland has said that crunch time has arrived.
“When you compete for the fifth starter’s spot with the Yankees it’s put up or shut up. I expect him [Joba] to pitch good [today]. He pitched better than the numbers showed in the second game. But it’s time to put it all together, that’s for all of them.”
Joe Girardi has made it clear that Joba will be getting another even if he has a very poor outing today. So far this spring, Joba’s fastball HAS shown signs of life touching 94 MPH in his last outing.
UPDATE (3/17 at 5:10PM): After the Yankees loss to the Phillies today by a score of 6-2, Yankees.com is reporting that: “Joba Chamberlain pitched four strong innings for the Yankees, giving up one run. The Phillies agreed to play the final inning despite the game being officially over to allow Chamberlain to get an extra inning of work.” To read more on this update, click here.
What are your thoughts on the stats listed above? Do you think Girardi should begin eliminating pitchers from the competition now rather than later? Where do you think Joba should be: starter or bullpen? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section.
Click the following link to read more on the article by George A. King III: Girardi: Chamberlain has to ‘pick it up’ to win Yankees No. 5 spot
Photoscourtesy of Zimbio.com
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