Written by Greg Fertel
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04 May 2008
To clear room for Darrell Rasner, the Yankees sent Ian Kennedy to Triple-A. This is probably the correct short term and long term move. Kennedy was getting hammered, and didn't appear to be on his game. His control was suffering, particularly on the curveball, and he was reducing velocity to try and bring the control back in.
That's all right. It happens. Kennedy will be back eventually. Although I did think that he would be ready right away, its worth remembering that the Yankees cut corners with Kennedy during his meteoric rise through the minors. They've got plenty left to teach him. He's in Triple-A after one professional season of baseball. I call that success.
The Yankees now have 4 starters in the majors. They need to call one more up. That is almost surely going to be one of Kei Igawa or Steven White. Both have been strong at Triple-A this year. To review, Igawa has pitched 32 2/3 innings in 6 starts (just under 5.5 per start) with an ERA of 3.5, a strikeout per inning, two home runs allowed, and just 2.18 BB/9. In other words, he's had pitch count problems but has besides that has been pitching very well.
Steven White has been just as good, pitching 33 2/3 innings in 6 starts (just over 5.5 per 9), striking out 29 and walking 14. His ERA of 3.21, but his peripherals are worse than Kei Igawa. For this reason, and Igawa's salary, I'm going to guess that White won't be called up. He's also walked 10 in his last 3 starts.
Sleepers: Jeff Karstens (no idea when he begins rehabbing) and Alan Horne (should get back on the mound any day now). Those guys would be just as high on the depth charts are Igawa and White if they were healthy.
I'm not too unhappy with Igawa coming up. For a 7th or 8th depth starter, he's not that bad. He's not giving up home runs in the minors right now, and his K/BB ratio indicates good command of the strike zone. I know that we all are angry at him for being a terrible pitcher last year, but Igawa is a lefty with good stuff, decent control, and a good amount of experience under his belt. He's got the potential to be useful. Plus, if he pitches well he'll become trade bait.
