Yankee Minor League notes

[Chamomile]

Have you ever looked at a Sally League roster? 2/3rds of the hitters on his team were younger than him.

[jacksonianmarch]

he's in his first full pro season. He's now in A advanced. Seriously, you are just unbearably homeriffic

[Chamomile]

he's in his first full pro season. He's now in A advanced. Seriously' date=' you are just unbearably homeriffic[/quote']

 

It's a fact he was facing competition younger than him. It's a fact that he'll now be facing competition his age. If you think me pointing out those facts makes me the homer, perhaps you should take a look in the mirror boss.

[jacksonianmarch]

You want me to look in the mirror? How bout we shine that mirror on you. Why dont you, for the record, accept or deny this statement.

 

You are Dutchy.

[Keeper]

Dutchy made the same argument when Ian Kennedy had success in the Minors. Apparently, at 22 Kennedy was much older than everyone else in AA and AAA?

[jacksonianmarch]

Stoneburner was one of the guys I highlighted in my eval of the 2009 draft. Great thing is, another draft will be upon us soon, although I will be pretty jet lagged during it.

 

He's big, he throws a very hard sinker-slider combo and he is accurate. They tried to teach him a change in instructs and the results were good per the SR's, but I'd hold judgement on that for now. Regardless, I think he could relieve in the majors right now and be useful. The Yankees hope he can start, which is why he took this path. If he was drafted as a reliever, he would have started in A+ ball and would probably be in AA by now.

 

Other notes....

 

Andrew Brackman started again in Tampa to mixed results as usual. He is walking far less than he was previously, with a new found emphasis on control. The problem is that he is sacrificing power to throw the ball over the plate, something which is getting him hit hard and will delay his ETA again. Why they havent converted him to the pen is beyond me. A 6'11" pitcher throwing 95-96 with a filthy curve for one inning is much better than the same tall guy throwing 88-90mph sinkers that catch too much of the plate for 5IP. He has never shown that he can stay healthy at any level, college included, and he hasnt shown the ability to start at any level past high school. He's been a project from the start, and it might be time to pull the plug on him as a starter to recoup some of the massive investment from his draft bonus.

[yankees228]

Stoneburner took a perfect game into the sixth inning today.

[riverside sluggers]

You want me to look in the mirror? How bout we shine that mirror on you. Why dont you, for the record, accept or deny this statement.

 

You are Dutchy.

 

Every prospect the Yankees have, you hold them up on the highest of pedestals

[jacksonianmarch]

How often am I wrong on them? Really? How many have I completely struck out on? I give you SR's, projection, ceiling, etc. That's about it. I love the Yankee farm, I think this farm has a lot of high ceiling players in it. How they do in the bigs is anyone's guess, but I can give you their stuff, their power, this contact, etc a lot more than their stats will say.

[yankees228]

How often am I wrong on them? Really? How many have I completely struck out on? I give you SR's' date=' projection, ceiling, etc. That's about it. I love the Yankee farm, I think this farm has a lot of high ceiling players in it. How they do in the bigs is anyone's guess, but I can give you their stuff, their power, this contact, etc a lot more than their stats will say.[/quote']

 

Everyone interprets you talking about the strengths of some prospects as you saying that they're going to be big league stars. It's pretty ridiculous.

[jacksonianmarch]

And, there were a few guys I touted pretty hard who turned out to be pretty good. Joba, oh Joba. I remember when Gom was fawning over dealing him for Gagne. Remember when Francessa said the same thing? Then the sox got Gagne, he flamed out and Joba came up guns blazing.

 

Hughes, well Hughes is proving me right for the second yr in a row. I said that I did not want to deal Hughes for Santana. Well, Santana was great in 2008 when Hughes was hurt. In 2009, Hughes was irreplaceable as a setup man while Santana went down late. And in 2010, thus far, Hughes is one of the best pitchers in the AL.

 

And David Robertson pitched really well last yr, although he has started off pretty poorly this season.

 

There are plenty others, like Pena and his glove (I always said his bat was bad), Cervelli and his defense and his offensive approach, Gardner and his slap ability plus speed and D. Aceves and his poise and control. I have given reports on all of the guys who have come up. But, I must be holding them up on a pedestal. Right, the team with the most home grown players in the AL in 2009 and how did they do with all those home grown guys? Right, WS champs.

[jacksonianmarch]

Well, back to the notes.

 

Juan Miranda came up to the bigs today. He's a big, lefty power hitter who strikes out a bunch. He has a good eye, is a complete butcher in the field and has been hitting lefties much better than prior to 2009.

[jacksonianmarch]

Stoneburner took a perfect game into the sixth inning today.

 

Finished with a hell of a line. 6IP 2H 2ER 1BB 7K. I doubt that he'll be in the FSL for long. His stuff is just too good. I didnt know a ton about him when he was drafted. Checked a few sources, liked what I heard. Then, when he got to instructs and then spring training, he was the most impressive pitcher in camp. 95mph sinkers with 88mph sliders. Massive movement, solid location. He will blow away most minor leaguers.

[Chamomile]

There are plenty others' date=' like Pena and his glove (I always said his bat was bad), Cervelli and his defense and his offensive approach, Gardner and his slap ability plus speed and D. Aceves and his poise and control. I have given reports on all of the guys who have come up.[/quote']

 

Gardner and Aceves do well in the majors and suddenly you've been a believer all along.

 

Alfredo Aceves is another guy I'd sell high on. Very similar to Jeff Karstens. Throws 90-92mph, has average off speed offerings. he is getting by on pitchability and control and as we have seen, the umpires dont give the corners to new kids. So he'll take awhile to mature and the payoff wont be that huge.

 

Brett Gardner I was pretty leery about bringing him up. He is a slow starter and has proven that at every single level. He has blazing speed, but almost no power and doesnt make contact enough to be a top of the order hitter. I would have dealt him before I exposed him. But now, he may be best served as our 4th OFer simply due to his blinding speed.

 

Good stuff.

[Chamomile]

The Yankees have claimed pitcher Shane Lindsay from the Rockies. Lindsay is a 25-year-old righty who's walked more than a batter an inning in Triple A this year. He has good stuff (12.5 K/9 in the minors) but he's always struggled with his control.

 

They released righty Christian Garcia, who recently underwent Tommy John Surgery for the second time. Garcia, a third round pick in 2004, was a top Yankees prospect until 2007 when he had Tommy John Surgery for the first time. He is 24 years old.

 

http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2010/05/14/garcia-released-lindsay-claimed/

[jacksonianmarch]

Gardner and Aceves do well in the majors and suddenly you've been a believer all along.

 

 

 

Good stuff.

 

show me where I am wrong Dutchy. I said, Gardner and his slap ability. It was good enough to crack the bigs and got better this season, enough for him to be a solid contributor. Aceves and his control and poise. I said before that his stuff isnt anything special, but the control is and he has gotten the corners. Seriously, you are arguing semantics as usual. I give you another week until they get rid of you. Maybe you should call yourself the Dutch Oven the next time around, cause you smell like s*** and force your way upon us when you arent wanted

[Chamomile]

You were trying to pat yourself on the back saying how you "touted them pretty hard" before they became successful with the Yankees when in reality you said the Yankees should have sold high on them and traded them.

 

 

You didn't say anything about Gardner's "slap ability", you said "he doesn't make contact enough to be a top of the order hitter" and "he may be best served as a 4th outfielder".

 

Brett Gardner I was pretty leery about bringing him up. He is a slow starter and has proven that at every single level. He has blazing speed' date=' but almost no power and doesnt make contact enough to be a top of the order hitter. I would have dealt him before I exposed him. But now, he may be best served as our 4th OFer simply due to his blinding speed.[/quote']

 

Your own words are right there boss.

[jacksonianmarch]

And how did it turn out? He got the job last yr, lost it due to a slow start and showed that he didnt make a lot of contact off the bat. But, he adjusted and now makes a ton of contact and has had a fast start

[jacksonianmarch]

The Yankees have claimed pitcher Shane Lindsay from the Rockies. Lindsay is a 25-year-old righty who's walked more than a batter an inning in Triple A this year. He has good stuff (12.5 K/9 in the minors) but he's always struggled with his control.

 

They released righty Christian Garcia, who recently underwent Tommy John Surgery for the second time. Garcia, a third round pick in 2004, was a top Yankees prospect until 2007 when he had Tommy John Surgery for the first time. He is 24 years old.

 

http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2010/05/14/garcia-released-lindsay-claimed/

 

Garcia has to be passed through waivers since he was on the 40 man. Dont think any team would claim him since he cannot be placed on the 60 day DL due to his MiLB status and therefore cannot be removed from the 40 man. Sounds like he'll accept an outright assignment assuming he doesnt get claimed

[Chamomile]

And how did it turn out? He got the job last yr' date=' lost it due to a slow start and showed that he didnt make a lot of contact off the bat. But, he adjusted and now makes a ton of contact and has had a fast start[/quote']

 

And if you had your way, he would have been dealt years ago before he "got exposed" my major league competition. If you were trying to claim that you've touted Yankees prospects who worked out, you probably shouldn't have mentioned two prospects (Gardner and Aceves) who you said you thought the Yankees should have traded while their value was high.

[jacksonianmarch]

David Adams suffered an injury two days ago. NO update, but apparently it doesnt look good.

 

And, Jeremy Bleich is headed for season ending shoulder surgery.

[jacksonianmarch]

On this rainy Hawaiian morning, I figure I would go for another minor league update prior to the start of rookie ball and the draft in 2 weeks.

 

AAA

Colin Curtis started out hot, but has been on the DL with an ankle injury since the end of April

 

Jesus Montero is starting to turn it on. His near .900OPS over the past 10 games shows improvement. Would like to see more balls driven over the fence, but he is starting to hit a few doubles as well as a significant improvement in the walk department.

 

Eduardo Nunez continues to hit, but the peripheral department is starting to suffer. His AVG sits at .327, which is solid for a SS. But he hasnt walked in 10 games and has seen his OPS slip to .788. Regardless, with Russo and Pena in the bigs, Nunez has definitely been pegged to stay in AAA all yr, which may not be that bad of a thing for the 22 yr old.

 

Zach McAllister seems to be turning a corner. After an abysmal start to begin the month (7ER in 3IP), he has strung together 3 consecutive 7 inning performances. Overall, a respectable 4.33ERA in AAA and a 1.36WHIP, but the concerning thing for me is his GO/AO. He's a sinkerballer, so the BAA of .292 isnt too bad, but the GO/AO of 0.7 is.

 

Romulo Sanchez is starting to turn himself around. He came up to NY and had a strong outing before going back down. And now, over his past 3 starts, he's been untouchable. 20IP 3ER 9BB 24K. His control isnt great, but he is getting more swings and misses. He is starting to round into a big league option out of the pen.

 

Ivan Nova got a little messed up by his stint in the bigs. He went 17 days inbetween starts and it showed, only lasting 2.1IP and giving up 5ER.

 

Mark Melancon continues to dominate and the Yankees keep f***ing around with him. In his last 4 appearances, he's struck out 13 in 5.2IP without allowing a run. Might be time to give him a chance and send down Logan, since Logan has no future and this kid looks to have a good one

 

AA

Austin Romine is killing the ball. .323/.386/.512 line is solid for the first time AA player. Romine continues to show that he has a big league future as a solid all around catching prospect.

 

David Adams also was killing the ball, although an injury 2 days ago looks like he might be missing some time due to an ankle injury. His .900OPS, 15 doubles, and 18 walks leads the team

 

Brandon Laird is also swinging the stick very well in AA. Laird smacked his team leading 8th homer today, which brought his BA up to .293 and OPS to .842.

 

Losing Jeremy Bleich hurts this team, as he looks to be having shoulder surgery.

 

Wilkin de la Rosa, a converted starter to reliever has been absolutely terrible. He looked like a future lefty reliever for the big club, but his conversion hasnt been smoothe.

 

David Phelps is jumping up the Yankee prospect sheet, albeit had a rought game today. He sits at 3-0, 2.59ERA and a WHIP under 1 after 8 starts.

 

DJ Mitchell continues to be lackluster in AA, with an ERA north of 5 and a WHIP north of 1.5. The sinkerballer continues to keep the ball in the yard (only 1 homer) and continues to get grounders (2.07GO/AO), but he continues to struggle with command.

 

A+

Well, we lost Abraham Almonte for the season after shoulder surgery.

 

Corban Joseph continues to swing the bat well, with a .296BA and .764OPS in a pretty tough offensive conference.

 

The rest of the offense has been non-existant. Bradley Suttle has been bad and Neil Medchill has been incredibly bad.

 

The pitching has been solid. Adam Warren continues to dominate. A sub 2ERA and a 1.12WHIP have him leading the staff. He looks primed to be promoted with Bleich down due to injury.

 

Hector Noesi got promoted last week after putting up 53K in 43IP and a sub 1WHIP

 

Andrew Brackman has started to turn it around. He's put up 16IP 13H 5ER 2BB 12K over his last 3 starts. He still remains a massive project and a likely pen candidate, but they are starting to see a healthier, more controlled pitcher

 

And for the sideshow, Pat Venditte continues to dominate. WHIP under 1, 29K in 23IP as well.

 

A

Charleston got a real prospect this past week with JR Murphy being promoted. He's 8 for 24 in his first 6 games.

 

Zoilo Almonte continues to hit. His OPS of .833 has been a nice continuation of his progress from last season's impressive SI season

 

Luke Murton is probably the best hitter on the team, although he is probably more of a filler prospect. He leads the team with 6 homers and an .839OPS

 

DeAngelo Mack fell off the map.

 

Jimmy Paredes and Robert Lyerly are starting to swing the bat a bit better, but both are still projects

 

Graham Stoneburner got promoted after dominating A ball and has started off okay with a 1.1WHIP, but his 5+ERA and 6BB in 10IP could be improved upon

 

Jose Ramirez continues to dominate. WHIP right around 1, ERA in the mid 2's and about a K per inning

 

Kelvin Perez is about ready for a promotion. 2.59ERA and a 1.19WHIP for the 24 yr old, probably time to see him pitch in the FSL.

 

Sean Black seems to be turning it around after being bombed through April. His overall numbers still suck, but he should turn in a pretty good yr should his improvements continue

 

On the injury front....

 

George Kontos (Tommy John) is throwing off flat ground. He should be ready for instructs after the season and be ready for AAA action again for 2011.

 

Manny Banuelos (appendectomy) is still about a week away from playing in Tampa

 

Dellin Betances (Tommy John) is pitching in extended and should be seen in a short season game by season's end.

[jacksonianmarch]

Another week down, another update

 

AAA

Another week, another concern about Jesus Montero. His average has continued to languish in the .230 range, after a 5 for 21 week that only saw 1 walk and 1 EBH. He'll get more time in the minors to figure things out

 

Eduardo Nunez has hit another rough patch as well. After being in the mid .300s for most of the yr, he has dipped down to .311 with a slash line after that. His OPS is down in the mid .700s as well since his patience is waning (1BB in last 10 games) and his power has been non-existant. The good news is that he will get plenty of time in the minors now that Russo and Pena are in the bigs.

 

David Winfree continues his power drive with a complete lack of patience. With Golson on the 40 man, Winfree has a long way to go

 

Onto the pitchers, Romulo Sanchez started the week off hot, but cooled down today allowing 5ER in 5+IP. He might be up with the big club within a few weeks as a reliever.

 

Ivan Nova righted the ship in his last start, 6IP 6 baserunners and only 2 runs. He's also starting to get more grounders and his walks are starting to abate (2 walks in each of his last 4 starts and 2 or less in all but one start in 2010). He is starting to get some pub as a potential 5th starter candidate for 2011 if the Yankees get Lee and let Javy and Pettitte walk. He's earning it too. He's always had the stuff, now he is starting to put it together

 

Zach McAllister has continued his successful run. Now 4 straight starts with 6+IP after his last gem. His ERA is down to 4 and his WHIP is down to 1.29. If he keeps this up, he'll start inserting his name into the 5 starter candidacy. Unlike Nova, McAllister really isnt a pen arm. He throws right around 90, is mostly a control guy and sinks everything. Not the best guy to put out there in a 1 run ballgame in the 8th since he gives up more hits than most due to his sinker.

 

Mark Melancon had a weird week. NO ER allowed, but 6 hits in and 4 walks in only 4 innings, while only recording 3 strikeouts.

 

AA

Austin Romine and Brandon Laird are just killing the league right now. Laird hit his team leading 10th homer today, to go along with his 50RBIs, 105 total bases and his .911OPS. He's on pace for 28HR and 142RBI, AND he is traditionally a second half player. My guess it that he starts playing some OF since the yankees have no vacancies at 1st or 3rd for awhile, but his bat is maturing into something unreal. And remember, he is only 22 yrs old.

 

Austin Romine has been equally impressive. He leads the team with a .329BA and is third in OPS at .889. His 16 doubles lead the team. Add that to stellar D, and this kid is the total package. Unfortunately, he's blocked by Montero and will probably stay in AA for the season.

 

David Adams rolled an ankle and should be back soon

 

From a pitching standpoint, David Phelps has been on fire. He threw another gem, going 7.2IP allowing only 1ER and 5 baserunners. His WHIP sits at 0.96 on the season and should lead to a promotion soon.

 

DJ Mitchell had probably his most dominant game of his career this week, striking out 9 in 6IP. The ERA is under 5 and the WHIP is right around 1.6, which are big improvements from his early season struggles

 

The Yankees finally gave up on Wilkin de la Rosa as a reliever this week and moved him back to the rotation. Well, he flourished, throwing 5 innings of 1 hit ball. Strange that a guy with only 2 pitches (albeit both plus) couldnt find it out of the pen.

 

Hector Noesi was promoted to AA and had an okay start. 8 runners in 6 innings isnt too bad, the 5ER was.

 

Grant Duff continues to cruise as the Thunder closer. ERA at 2.41, WHIP in the 1.29 range and K/9 right around 9. He should get a callup to AAA soon, assuming a change is made in the bigs. He has ridiculous stuff, just poor command (9BB in 18IP)

 

A+

There really is only 1 guy of note doing well offensively for the Tampa Yankees. That being Corban Joseph, the 21 yr old HS draftee out of Tennessee. He clubbed 2 homers today, to bring his OPS up to .823. His improved patience and developing power have a lot of people thinking a move to the OF is in order. This is being brought up for 2 reasons. 1, he is a god awful IFer right now, with 10 errors, and 2 is obviously that Cano is there for the long term. But this kid is raking in a pitcher's league. He probably wont see a promotion this yr, but he is gonna be on the short list of big prospects by the end of the yr

 

On the pitching side, Adam Warren ran into some rough luck this week, lasting only 2.2IP in an awful outing. Regardless, his WHIP is still in the 1.1 range and the ERA is in the mid 2's. He's the next guy to get called up now that Noesi is in AA

 

Andrew Brackman is actually turning it around in the rotation. You heard it here first. Now, he is definitely easing off the gas a bit, now sitting in the 90-92 range, but he has had his mechanics reworked and he can actually throw strikes. The hope is that he is going all out by the end of the yr. But the latest returns are good. He's only walked 5 batters the entire season, AND now his K totals are starting to climb (12K in last 12IP). He's has 2 straight 6IP 1ER performances and has seen the WHIP slip under 1.4. Looks like we might have something here. Assuming he stays healthy, he should be back on the prospect scene early next yr when he's in Trenton and only a phone call away from the majors.

 

Graham Stoneburner continues to dominate everywhere he goes. He has pitched 4 games in Tampa and has a WHIP under 1. After walking 5 in his second start, he's only walked 4 over his last 12 innings while striking out 13. His stuff is real, and he should potentially see another promotion should he continue to dominate. He's that good.

 

As for the sideshow, he got roughed up today, allowing 3ER in 1IP. His WHIP is now right at 1 after being under for his career. He still has incredible numbers to this point and is deserving of a promotion.

 

And onto another guy who is forcing himself into the prospect spotlight, Shaeffer Hall was promoted to Tampa this week and debuted well. He threw 5IP of shutout ball while striking out 6. He's a soft tossing lefty with a good curve and change who can locate with the best of them. Probably not a prospect, but his numbers dont lie. He's too polished for inexpereinced hitters.

 

A

 

Offensively, this level is completely barren. JR Murphy, the second round HSer from Florida, was recently called up to this level. After hitting .333 in his first 6 games, he has seen his BA slip to .222.

 

Kyle Higashioka, a highly touted HS catcher from Cali drafted in 2008 has been terrible, hitting right around .200.

 

Jimmy Paredes, the 20 yr old dominican SS whose 5 tools have been touted in prospect circles has put up a slash line. His BA of .282 and 20SBs are all well and good, but the OBP of right around .300 isnt

 

Zoilo Almonte is hitting well as is Luke Murton, but both arent really prospects at this point in their careers

 

Regardless, in the A ball levels, there isnt much offensively to write home about.

 

From the pitching side, there is. Jose Ramirez continues his dominance. He's got almost a K an inning, a greater than 3:1 K:BB ration and an ERA under 2 for the 20yr old.

 

Kelvin Perez has fallen on hard times, allowing 19 runs in his last 12IP. He started out on fire with a solid arsenal, but his recent struggles coupled with his age (24) could mean a pen switch for next season, especially with the pitching that should be graduating from the short season leagues.

 

Sean Black is picking it up after a slow start. He threw 7 shutout innings this week and has seen his ERA fall under 5 and his WHIP down to 1.41. His stuff indicated better results than he has had, look for a strong finish from the Seton Hall product.

 

Now onto some other matters. The DSL started up this week. And no, I wont go into in-depth coverage of a league that sees about 30% of its players make is stateside in a reasonable capacity. But it is telling of a new change in practice for Yankee management. Over the past few seasons, the Yankees had rushed their dominican prospects and their HS draftees. Now some may just call it bad scouting, but a good amount of these guys stumbled significantly out of the blocks. And the presumption is that they were rushed. So, this yr, the yankees have taken a pretty conservative approach. As you see, JR Murphy and Slade Heathcott were left behind in EST to start the yr (Murphy is now in Charleston). We are also seeing it with Dominican prospects as well, none too apparent than Yeicok Calderon. Calderon hit .321 with a .440 OBP in the DSL last yr, after being one of the biggest catches of the 2008 INTL FA signee period. But, instead of moving him to the states, they left him behind for one more yr of seasoning. You will see that more with the yankees over the next few seasons as the yankees hope to slowly grow their prospects rather than overadvance them and risk losing their potential.

 

The short season leagues start 6/18. The draft is coming up in a week, and Staten Island looks pretty loaded for bear. Mikey OBrien, Matt Richardson, and Kyle Turley figure to be leading the Staten Island rotation, while Heathcott, Kelvin DeLeon, Eduardo Sosa, and Jose Mojica figure to be the big bats on the team. Should be a whole lot of fun, and SI should be a hell of a team.

[yankees228]

Jacko, I've got a question. Why start Murphy in Charleston, but hold off Heathcott for short season Staten Island?

[Spudboy]

I just skimmed through your post.

 

What's up with Pat Venditte?

[jacksonianmarch]

Jacko' date=' I've got a question. Why start Murphy in Charleston, but hold off Heathcott for short season Staten Island?[/quote']

 

Murphy was started in EST, but was promoted to Charleston presumably due to the absolute lack of offense and they thought his bat would be ready. I agree that it doesnt make a ton of sense, and I would love to see Murphy moved back to SI in 2 weeks so he can get regular work at catcher without having to share time with Higashioka.

 

Venditte is otherwise known as the sideshow, Spud. He had a rough week, but still, his overall numbers are worthy of promotion

[Spudboy]

Murphy was started in EST, but was promoted to Charleston presumably due to the absolute lack of offense and they thought his bat would be ready. I agree that it doesnt make a ton of sense, and I would love to see Murphy moved back to SI in 2 weeks so he can get regular work at catcher without having to share time with Higashioka.

 

Venditte is otherwise known as the sideshow, Spud. He had a rough week, but still, his overall numbers are worthy of promotion

 

I just checked. He's back at A+ Tampa. 1.025 WHIP, 11K/9, ~4K/BB.

 

I think he's interesting. Sideshow or not.

[jacksonianmarch]

I just checked. He's back at A+ Tampa. 1.025 WHIP, 11K/9, ~4K/BB.

 

I think he's interesting. Sideshow or not.

 

He is interesting. The thought in the yankee org is that he is getting by on pitchability and movement, something that easily gets past inexperienced hitters. They are afraid to move him too soon and see more advanced sluggers who could work past his pitching style. I think we should move him up and let the chips fall where they may. He's been excellent for 2 yrs, give the guy a chance. And if he falters, then we move on.

[jacksonianmarch]

Dellin Betances makes his long awaited return from Tommy John Surgery tonight. Word is, he looks pretty impressive now that he's healthy. We'll see if he can get FSL hitters out before getting my hopes up

[jacksonianmarch]

Betances goes 6IP 3H 1ER 6K and 0BB. The bolded part is the biggest IMO. He might finally be on track here. Lets see how he does in his next start