Ian Kennedy promoted to AA

[jacksonianmarch]

This was in newsday 2 days ago. His scheduled start is for tomorrow night.

 

Just a quick thing on Kennedy for those who dont know him.

 

Ian Kennedy, 22, was drafted out of USC in last yrs MLB draft with the 21st overall pick by the New York Yankees. Going into his junior season, he was considered a top 10 pick, but showed a lack of velocity and command en route to dropping in projection to a late 1st to early second round selection. At the time, the yankees were said to have selected him too soon on what most experts called a "reach". Well Kennedy has shown his detractors to be wrong. Last season, he signed rather late and only appeared in one game for the SI Yankees. This off-season, he pitched in the Hawaiian winter league where his K rate was very impressive, but his other numbers were lackluster. There were rumors that he might start at Charleston (A ball) but eventually started the yr in Tampa (A+ ball). And boy did he take off there.

 

Armed with a rejuvenated fastball and the stuff that made him such a highly touted player in early 2006, he dominated A+ ball hitters. In 11 games (10 starts), he was 6-1 with a microscopic 1.29ERA in 63IP. He also had a ridiculous 10.2K/9IP rate as well as a 3.5K/BB rate. His WHIP was 0.96 to go along with a BAA of .183.

[jacksonianmarch]

as I posted in the crunch thread, Kennedy threw today in AA.

 

His start lasted 5 innings, not 7 like the line says and his line was as follows.

 

5IP 6H 0BB 6K 4ER

[Rdsxmbnt]

I think it was 7, where are you hearing the 5 inning line?

[jacksonianmarch]

I think it was 7' date=' where are you hearing the 5 inning line?[/quote']

 

One of the guys on the pinstripes plus blog is actually posting from the game (he's a paid writer and is on hand), or so he says he is. We'll find out tomorrow. He said that Kennedy was pulled after 5 because he reached his pitch count.

[jacksonianmarch]

Ah, actually the guy who posted the Kennedy thing on the other site is a father of one of the Trenton Thunder's players. He was at the game and posted. It is accurate.

[jacksonianmarch]

6IP 3H 0ER 8K 2BB in another trenton victory. DOMINANT.

[jacksonianmarch]

btw, according to the trenton thunder article, Kennedy has been sitting in the low 90s all season, and has been clocked as high as 94 in his starts. The velocity is back, and so is his effectiveness.

[He Hate Me]

btw' date=' according to the trenton thunder article, Kennedy has been sitting in the low 90s all season, and has been clocked as high as 94 in his starts. The velocity is back, and so is his effectiveness.[/quote']

 

nice...

 

I'm cautiously optimistic

[jacksonianmarch]

Kennedy really has been a draft day steal. His mechanics were cleaned up and now he is throwing as hard as he ever has with plus command and control and very strong off speed stuff. I am excited about him.

[ARod2212]

I like having good, young players.

[jacksonianmarch]

Looks like they are giving Kennedy the Hughes treatment. 5 and screw for the second half of the season (minor league first half is about to end). Today's line in AA

 

5IP 2ER 4H 2BB 9K

 

Kid is lighting it up.

[jacksonianmarch]

5IP 4H 1BB 1ER 4K I have a feeling the yankees are pulling back on the reigns a little bit with the innings.

[jacksonianmarch]

5IP 0H 0ER 9K 3BB

[jacksonianmarch]

6IP 2ER 2H 3BB 4K and another win. Kennedy is showing he belongs.

[jacksonianmarch]

6IP 0ER 3H 7K 0BB.

 

He is continuing to dominate.

[jacksonianmarch]

correction: Bowden has a better fastball. He does not have better "stuff". Kennedy has control of a deeper arsenal.