Joel Sherman of the NY Post reports that Phil Hughes has been struggling in the Arizona Fall League which calls to mind Hank and Brian’s decision not to include him in a package for Johan Sanata last season.
From the article…
According to scouts 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. “I think the problem is that his elbow is too low so he is not commanding because he is not throwing downhill. His command stinks because his motion stinks. For example, his curve has good rotation and break, but I think because of that delivery it breaks early and so hitters pick it up.”
Question is will coaching help Hughes? or are the Yankees now stuck with another young talent who’s stuff just never will be.
:: Donnie23
