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Called up from AAA Scranton last Thursday, Ian Kennedy made his second debut for the Yankees, albeit in a 5-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. After being demoted to Scranton 10 days prior, Kennedy started two games in the minors, throwing 8 1/3 innings, allowing two hits and no runs. Kennedy's performance in Tampa in the recall probably would have been better served in Las Vegas at the World Series of Poker. As the dealer Kennedy dealt himself trip 5's, with 5 innings of work, allowing 5 hits and 5 earned runs. Of those five hits, there were two home runs and one double.

Most media outlets hammered Kennedy's performance, and despite the Vegas-type pitching line, his appearance was much better than the final result. The biggest knock on Kennedy during his prior 6 major league starts were control problems as he walked 20 batters in just under 24 innings. His usual efficiency shown during his brief professional career was missing. But during yesterday's outing, Kennedy walked only one in his 5 innings. Kennedy said, "Tonight I only had one walk and that was after battling 3-2. That was the main thing I was having trouble with and I think I am going in the right direction."

I completely agree.

Control issues are usually the primary reason a young pitcher, in fact ANY pitcher, has bad outings. It is the first thing a young hurler needs to get acquainted with when pitching in the major leagues. There are new umpires with tighter strike zones and their preconceived notions, better hitters who have "earned the respect" of these umpires, plus much more scrutiny from multiple layers of media. All three of these factors can make or break a young pitcher.

Ian Kennedy has appeared to have improved upon the control issue. He threw strikes against Tampa, but gave up some big hits. The next step is to begin having command WITHIN the strike zone. The double and one homer he allowed yesterday both came in the fourth inning - after two were out and the bases were empty. The homer was on a two strike hanging slider. These types of mistakes will be improved upon with more experience - that is, MAJOR LEAGUE experience.

There is absolutely no reason Ian Kennedy should be sent down to the minor leagues again this season. Kennedy should be given those 25 starts remaining in the 5^th spot of the Yankees rotation.

Why? Because of the trade that never happened.

When Brian Cashman declined to include Ian Kennedy into the Johan Santana for Philip Hughes and Melky Cabrera deal, he likely knew he was not getting a World Series title this season - he was keeping his young pitchers so the Yankees can be better in 2009 and beyond.

The 2008 season is being known as the year of the young hurler. Under 27 year olds emerging as top flight starting pitchers include Edinson Volquez (24) in Cincinnati, Zach Greinke (25) and Luke Hochevar (24) in Kansas City, Scott Olsen (24) in Florida, Edwin Jackson (24) and Andy Sonnastine (24) in Tampa Bay, Jesse Litsch (23) and Shaun Marcum (26) in Toronto, John Danks (23) and Gavin Floyd (25) for the White Sox plus Ervin Santana (25) and Joe Saunders (27) in Los Angeles for the Angels.

What all these hurlers have in common (besides being very effective this season) is that all have gone through terrible seasons in the majors when they first came up. For example, Volquez is 7-1 with a Bob Gibson like 1.33 ERA this season, but two years ago, at age 22, he made 8 starts and went 1-6 with a 7.29 ERA. Greinke is currently 5-1 with a 2.18 ERA but staggered through a 5-17 season three seasons ago at age 21. The Yankees did not see Andy Sonnastine (6-1 in 9 starts) this past series, but before a recent blow up against the Angels (a no decision), Sonnastine won four straight starts including a CG 3 hit shutout against the White Sox. Last Friday night, Sonnastine went 8 strong, beating the Cardinals 3-1. Last season, however, Sonnastine was bombed (and not because of alcohol) in 12 of his 22 starts and his ERA was 6.35 after his unlucky 13^th start.

And this phenomenon does not end with just the current crop of youngsters. Last night Brandon Webb became the fifth starting pitcher to win his first nine starts and is now 9-0 with a 2.56 ERA. He is the definitive front runner for the NL Cy Young award after finishing second last year and winning the award in 2006. But just four years ago, he was 7-16 in 35 starts. At not one time did Arizona think of removing Webb from the rotation. Future HOFers Randy Johnson, Tom Glavine and even Greg Maddux got pounded their first seasons in the majors.  

But, what I read on the blogs and hear on talk radio is that Kennedy does not have the electric stuff of a Tim Lincecum or Zach Greinke and doesn't amount to more than a Quadruple A pitcher - one that is great in Triple A but can't quite cut it in the big show.

What the track record suggests, though, is that young pitchers need a year (or two) to become what is expected of them. They need to "take their lumps" for awhile in the majors so they can learn the hitters and earn the respect of the umpires. There are only three current veteran pitchers, Atlanta's Tim Hudson, Houston's Roy Oswalt and Cleveland's C.C. Sabathia who have been great in the majors since their first seasons - all of the others have had growing pains. For the non-Mensa members: only 2% of today's 150 starting pitchers have not gone though these "growing pains."

It is well documented that a new pitcher will not get a close call against a Manny Ramirez or Derek Jeter, especially with two strikes. The pitcher must earn his own respect among the umpires by being efficient, throwing strikes and keeping his composure on the mound.

This comes with experience of the major leagues and why Kennedy should be left in the rotation - even if it means the Yankees do not make the playoffs this season. Most of the current first place teams in the standings today: Florida, Arizona, the Los Angeles Angels and even 2nd place Tampa Bay have at least two starters in their current rotation that fit the mold of bad at first, but better now, pitcher. Tampa Bay does not have a starting pitcher over the age of 26 plus three studs in the minor leagues, including last year's #1 overall draft pick David Price. Despite all the people talking about how the Rays will come back down to earth, I disagree. The Rays are here to stay for at least the next decade, primarily due to good, young starting pitching!

Starting pitching which was allowed to develop in the major leagues.

Look at a similar scenario to the Kennedy situation and how it was handled by the Florida Marlins. Andrew Miller was the key arm that Florida received in the Miguel Cabrera-Dontrelle Willis trade with the Detroit Tigers. Miller was 0-2 with a 9.68 ERA after his first four starts this season with the Marlins. If he pitched in New York, Miller would have been booed, pressure would have been to send him down for "more seasoning", and fans would have wanted the team to trade for a veteran arm to give the team innings.

But the Marlins stuck with the struggling Miller (because they have patience) and Miller responded with a 3-0 record and 3.85 in his next four starts. Also, last year's bust (on and off the field) for the Marlins, Scott Olsen, is 4-1 with a 2.82 ERA. Miller is only 23 and Olsen is in his third full major league season at age 24!

Ian Kennedy should stay in the rotation for the duration. If an injury occurs or Mike Mussina (a surprising 6-4) begins to falter, then Phil Hughes should be back from his injury or another youngster from the minors can be called up, or dare we say Joba should be a starter? And the Yankees cannot go with last year's version of the revolving door - go with the youngster and stick with him.

Because of the reliance on young pitching this season, Cashman knows that if the Yankees do not make the playoffs this season he may be out of a job, but the franchise will likely be better in 2009 and beyond.  It is quite possible that Kennedy could be next year's Scott Olsen or Edinson Volquez, but only if he is allowed to finish this season in the Yankees rotation.