2012 Phil Hughes Performance Thread

[NYCrusader]

Big year for Hughes in establishing his future as a Yankee going foward.

He turns 26 in June and is entering his physical prime it's now or never to put it all together and be more then just a league average pitcher.


News on Hughes Velocity today

Erik Boland ‏ @eboland11
Scout had Hughes' velocity as high as 93 on fastball. Remember, all last spring it rarely hit 90

Marc Carig ‏ @MarcCarig
Scout says Hughes' fastball topped at 93 mph, but he hit that number multiple times.

[philleotardo]

He got pulled after just 1.1

[bcom33]

Goods news on his velo. For all we know he was mostly working on fastballs today, I don't care about the hits off him, especially this early in spring.

[YESSIR!]

Anyone know how many pitches he threw today? I'm assuming his count was getting high, which is why they pulled him after 1.1. Those deep counts are like the turd that won't flush.

The veolicity is very encouraging, though. 93 in his first appearance is great.

[Principessa21]

Anyone know how many pitches he threw today? I'm assuming his count was getting high, which is why they pulled him after 1.1. Those deep counts are like the turd that won't flush.

The veolicity is very encouraging, though. 93 in his first appearance is great.

38 pitches. 24 strikes.

[Gator's Shadow]

38 pitches. 24 strikes.

I feel a lot better coming here and seeing this as well as his velo than I did looking quickly at the box score.

[YESSIR!]

Averaging almost 10 pitches per out is kind of a bummer, mostly because it continues to be one of Hughes' biggest problems/roadblocks. Obviously it's his first outing of the Spring, etc. etc., but it will naturally bear watching as the calendar moves towards opening day.

[snapple]

He's just gotta throw strikes. Hopefully hearing what his velocity was gives him the confidence to attack.

[a-RobinsonCano-Fan]

Im also not too worried about yesterdays outing. Gotta reduce that pitch count per batter, buts its good to see him throwing strikes and should have almost walked out with a scoreless first inning with a few K's against some good hitters.

[NYCrusader]

Phil done for the day

3 shutout innings and was sitting 92-93 according to Lohud.

[rpbri2886]

Phil done for the day

3 shutout innings and was sitting 92-93 according to Lohud.

Good to hear.

[hellonewman]

buenas noticias

[Eldee5]

Some additional information on Phil's start on Sunday:
http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2012/03/1...ia-and-hughes/

PHIL HUGHES
3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K

Joe Girardi went on the road to see Hughes make his second spring appearance. Last time out, Hughes’ arm strength was much better than at this time last season, and his fastball remained in the low 90s this afternoon. I wasn’t there to see it, but it seems to be another solid step forward.

Hughes: “The cutter wasn’t as good as it was last time, but the curveball was much better. Fastball location was much better, as well. Command-wise, it was a lot better, especially in the second and third innings… It seemed like my fastball was good. It was jumping on hitters a little bit based on the swings I was getting. That was a positive thing. Being able to work out of some trouble with guys on, they put together some good at-bats in the first and I was able to get around those.”

Girardi: “I thought he had everything today. Fastball location was much better, he threw some good changeups, curveballs and cutters. I was very pleased. I thought it was a nice step in a positive direction for him. A lot of times at this point in the first couple starts, I’m focusing on the good things. Knowing that they are rusty, you don’t expect them to have their A stuff a lot of times. You want to see what they’ve got the first couple starts. I was pleased.”

• Girardi said today that Hughes and Sabathia will split their next start, four innings apeice, on Friday.

[MoVaughnEatsAlot]

I was there and he actually looked like he was throwing past his max effort, so I'm definitely concerned about his actual max effort or even partially full max effort velocities during the course of an actual game.

[pleasepassthesoup]

I was there and he actually looked like he was throwing past his max effort, so I'm definitely concerned about his actual max effort or even partially full max effort velocities during the course of an actual game.

What in the world does this mean?

[teknetic]

What in the world does this mean?

He blew his arm out basically.

[False1]

I was there and he actually looked like he was throwing past his max effort, so I'm definitely concerned about his actual max effort or even partially full max effort velocities during the course of an actual game.

Yeah, I don't really get this either. Even if you assume he was just completely airing it out to try and make an impression with his velocity, wouldn't that affect his command, which was reportedly very good?

[SatchelPaigeYankee]

I gathered that he was joking, citing the anonymous scout's "max effort" language

[MoVaughnEatsAlot]

I'm glad somebody gets me.

[SatchelPaigeYankee]

I'm glad somebody gets me.

life's hard, brother

[YESSIR!]

Looked great today. Fastball was 91-94, which is typical Phil. Healthy amount of swings and misses. He had good command and the curveball was solid, locating several for strikes and burying a couple when he wanted.

[pleasepassthesoup]

Looked great today. Fastball was 91-94, which is typical Phil. Healthy amount of swings and misses. He had good command and the curveball was solid, locating several for strikes and burying a couple when he wanted.

He's gonna look great as the 6th inning man.

[YESSIR!]

He's gonna look great as the 6th inning man.

Tell me about it. Should be a real hoot.

[THEBOSS84]

Tell me about it. Should be a real hoot.

It's hard for me to feel bad for Phil about this situation he's in.

[Yankees13]

He'll still have his chance. He'll get at least a good 7, 8 starts in before Pettitte could even possibly be ready. If he's pitching well, he won't be the one replaced.