Hanky gets his way.... as usual.. Joba starts.

[Thumper]

MINNEAPOLIS - The wait is over. Joba Chamberlain has a spot in the New York Yankees' rotation and a date for his first start: Tuesday night against Toronto. Manager Joe Girardi said the 22-year-old will be limited to 65 or 70 pitches when he takes the mound at Yankee Stadium.

 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080530/ap_on_sp_ba_ne/bba_yankees_chamberlain

 

Who thinks he's a starter?

 

Honestly, he's a good pitcher, I won't deny that, but I think he's best a set up man and he could take over Rivera's position when he retired.

 

I think he's gonna get too worked and rocked this soon as a starter.

[jacksonianmarch]

why shouldnt he get his way? He does kinda OWN THE TEAM.

 

And you assumption is funny. I think the one knock you can make is that Joba seems to average about 15-17 pitches per inning since he gets so many K's. Therefore, his 75 pitch count will likely only get him through 5 innings at the most.

[CrespoBlows]

He's a starter, and he'll probably be a good one.

 

Have you looked at this track record in the minors? He knows how to be a starter.

[a700hitter]

He's a starter, and he'll probably be a good one.

 

Have you looked at this track record in the minors? He knows how to be a starter.

From what I can see, his Minor League experience is limited. Buchholz and Lester had more extensive experience in the minors and both had better records at AA. Neither Buchholz nor Lester stepped into a rotation spot and performed consistently at the beginning. I don't expect that Joba's journey will be markedly different.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

The main key to Joba Chamberlain is his velocity. If that velocity drops in a game or decreases throughout the season then he won't be nearly as effective. Justin Verlander comes to mind.

 

Joba has that same energy that Jonathan Papelbon carries and thats the ideal pitcher to have late in a game. This is as good a time as any for the Yankees to try him out as a starter though. The team is below .500 and the rotation sucks so what harm could it have? Unless Joba injures his arm after throwing 100 pitches of 98-100mph fastballs and snapping off 85-90mph sliders.

[ksushi]

95+ with a great slider and an alright change. Electric fastball, good build, questionable delivery. Overall, I think he'll be very good in the rotation.

[Optimist]

I think it's a good idea to try this out now. The Yankees need the help with their rotation. If it doesn't work, he can go back to the eighth. No harm, no foul (or little at most, I'd say.) However, if the Yankees don't stretch him out their hands are tied when the rotation continues to struggle and possibly even next year.

[26 to 6]

This is true. Best that we try it now.

[VA Sox Fan]

This is true. Best that we try it now.

 

Best if it would have been tried in Spring Training actually, but desperate times call for.....

 

Hanky, LOL, too bad he's NO WHERE near as cool or likeable as Mr. Hanky The Christmas Poo!

[26 Reasons to Hate Us]

Best if it would have been tried in Spring Training actually, but desperate times call for.....

 

 

 

Didn't Joba start some games in spring training?

[VA Sox Fan]

Didn't Joba start some games in spring training?

 

Didn't really pay attention to your Yanks in ST......sorry. But I don't think so. But better May than August?

 

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

 

GO TWINS! Way to get picked off Mr. Rod.

[26 to 6]

Yeah he did start games in ST.

[26 Reasons to Hate Us]

Didn't really pay attention to your Yanks in ST......sorry. But I don't think so. But better May than August?

 

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

 

Actually, he did start all through spring training, and then was moved to the pen the last time through the rotation before the season started.

 

I'm not sure how desperate a move this is, given the plan laid out before the season:

 

Joel Sherman from the NY Post has the scoop this morning. Citing Yankee executives, Sherman lays out the following plan for Joba Chamberlain in 2008:

 

1. Prepare as a starter in Spring Training.

2. Move to the bullpen for the beginning of the season and act as the 8th inning bridge to Mariano.

3. In late May/early June go to the minors for 3-4 weeks to build up arm strength (throw 5-6 innings/game)

4. Return to the Yanks as a starter for the remainder of the season

 

http://www.springtraining08.com/yankees/jobas-role-reportedly-defined.php

 

The only difference from that plan and reality is that Joba is stretching out at the major league level, which is probably better for the team than losing him for a month would be anyway.

[ARod2212]

This has always been the plan, as 26 just outlined. This isn't Hank stomping his feet, this is what they've been planning all along.

 

Find out if he can start at the big league level. If he can, you don't have to worry about the inning limit in October because you saved innings in April and May.

 

He's got dominant stuff, and a good head on his shoulders. I think he'll be fine.