The Analytical Yankee Fan

First of all, great series against the Blue Jays, they have a great pitching staff. It was nice to see us scrape this series away from them using pitching, defense, small ball and timely hitting. Halladay, Burnett and McGowan could be legitimate aces on any staff.

Phil Hughes fastball is a rarity,

Hughes did not have his great velocity (he was sitting right around 91. On a warm night, mid-season, he’ll sit 92-95), but he had that rare late life. McGowan was throwing harder than Hughes, yet Hughes fastball still LOOKED harder. David Cone said that Hughes “really drags that four-seamer down through the strike zone”–he couldn’t possibly be more right. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a four-seam fastball in baseball with late life like that. It tilts and tails through the strike zone, as if it’s picking up velocity one foot in front of the hitter. Not many guys are going to get the fat part of the bat on that fastball.

Hughes curve was outstanding. I’ve noticed that he can throw that fastball three different ways.

Curve number one: Like AJ Burnett or Josh Beckett, he throws it as a power curve, with that real late bend. Great strikeout pitch

Curve number two: Like Barry Zito, he can slow it down and make it bigger. This is a great pitch to throw for a first strike, as it freezes hitters. Makes their knees buckle.

Curve number three: Now I don’t know if he does this in purpose. But this curve is sort of Kazmir-esque, a slurve-like curve ball. He seems to get on the side of the ball, like Paul O’neill was saying last night. This can also be used as a great strikeout pitch against right-handed batters.

Did you see the three or four change-ups Phil threw? Looked like a plus pitch to me. Who needs Johan Santana? Every time he threw it, it lead to a silly-looking swing from those Blue Jay hitters

I love Phil’s slider. What a pitch. Tight little slider, with excellent rotation. Looks like Luis Vizcaino’s, as I’ve said many times before. Gives hitters a much different look. He can throw that as a first strike pitch, or surprise a batter and get a strikeout from time-to-time.

What great control. Only walked one batter, and two of those called balls were borderline strikes anyway.

Scariest thought of all: He’s only 21. He’s going to continue to improve. As he goes into his prime, there’s no telling what this kid is going to be capable of. His 3rd and 4th pitches, which are already great pitches, will continue to improve. He will fill out, and his velocity will increase. Biggest pitching prospect since Andy Pettitte, he was. I love Andy, but sorry, Pettitte NEVER had stuff like this.

I expect Cy Young awards.