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Has Yankees' Hughes lost it?

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09:04 AM ET 10.26 | There were many reasons that Yankees GM Brian Cashman advised against making a Johan Santana deal last season, notably having to give up prospects and award Santana a record contract. But central to his thinking was that he did not want to surrender Phil Hughes, whom he has envisioned being a cost-effective, homegrown, top-of-the-rotation stalwart. Hughes made that decision look horrendous during the season, and isn't stopping now. It is not just that two of his four starts in the Arizona Fall League have been poor, including Friday night's Rising Stars showcase game. But scouts who have watched him in the AFL say Hughes' delivery, command and array of stuff have not been impressive. He started the Rising Stars game and permitted four runs (one earned) in three innings, allowing two homers and walking two. One scout who has seen multiple starts in the AFL by Hughes offered this report from the Rising Stars game: "His velocity was fine. He threw some at 93-94 (mph), but mostly he was in the low 90s, but the problem was that they were straight. He gave up two bombs and even the outs were mostly hard hit. He couldn't command his fastball to the corners at all. Only about half his curves were good and only about one in four were in the strike zone. He is working to add that changeup (to use against lefties), threw three and all were up and out of the zone.

New York Post

Phil Hughes, Rich Pilling/Getty Images Phil Hughes, Rich Pilling/Getty Images
October 26, 2008  09:14 AM ET

I think I lost it
Let me know if you come across it
Let me know if I let it fall
Along a back road somewhere
Money can't replace it
No memory can erase it
And I know I'm never gonna find
Another one to compare

October 26, 2008  09:40 AM ET

Perhaps a meeting could be arranged with David Cone. Phil blogs on a fair basis @
http://philhughes.wordpress.com/

October 26, 2008  10:20 AM ET

You can't expect Hughes to succeed when you have a meathead manager in Joe Girardi and the worst pitching coach in baseball in Dave Eiland. Go get Leo Mazzone and watch this kid win 20 every year.

October 26, 2008  10:48 AM ET
QUOTE(#3):

You can't expect Hughes to succeed when you have a meathead manager in Joe Girardi and the worst pitching coach in baseball in Dave Eiland. Go get Leo Mazzone and watch this kid win 20 every year.

I think he needs a change of venue, sometimes that kick-starts a career. Take for example Gavin Floyd on the Phillies; too high of expectations and he stunk the joint up. He comes to the ChiSox and is their best pitcher, at least this year.

October 26, 2008  12:18 PM ET

When he first came up his velocity was in the mid 90's. So Ok now it's lower range, can be release point or other mechanics. BUt lack of command and movement keeps in the minors. It's not over for Phil but he needs to sort of reinvent himself, which it looks like what he is doing (change up) He was a young thrower, now has to learn to be a pitcher. Keep working Phil, it ain't over til it's over.

October 26, 2008  12:25 PM ET

You have got to be schitting me. I think maybe Cashman wrote this article under a nom de plume. How about giving the kid a full season, healthy, in the rotation before writing him off? Jesus.

Comment #7 has been removed
October 26, 2008  02:49 PM ET

This is funnie

Comment #9 has been removed
 
October 26, 2008  08:25 PM ET
QUOTE(#7):

Yes. Yes he has. beyachass drank from Pavano's flask. Leo Mazzone?? maybe you need a baseball bat to give you a cavity search. Mazzone done a good job in baltimore right? Punkass beeeyatch.

Sounds like you're familiar with this procedure.
<<maybe you need a baseball bat to give you a cavity search.>>

As for Baltimore's staff, they would suck no matter who was the pitching coach. Hughes actually has talent and if you could ever get your head out of your ****, you would know that.

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