Just in case you were wondering how this kid, who went 5-3 with a 4.46 ERA, his rookie season, would start off in 2008…
Phil Hughes pitched 4 innings of lights out baseball earlier today against the Minnesota Twins. He marched right through the first 9 batters, and then walked 2 in the forth. He said that he was pleased, and liked the location of his fast ball. His pitch count hit 56. Very good stuff this early in spring. Girardi was also available to give the kid, in his sophomore campaign, a thumbs up. “It seems he’s growing as a pitcher,” was one of the comments made by the skipper to the Associated Press today. Twins Manager, Ron Gardenhire, also had this to say, “He’s got good stuff. He’s as advertised. I thought he did what we try to get our guys to do, and that’s pitch.” Impressive.
Pretty ironic, really, if you consider in the off-season, the Yankees had put together a deal which included Phil Hughes to the Twins for Johan Santana. It sounds like fate was on our side for that one. We may see an impressive emergence of a super star talent as we watch Phil Hughes grow into his own on the mound. I hope he didn’t jinx himself when he jokingly remarked, “I just hope I don’t waste all of the good innings during spring training.”
We will have to wait and see. Although that is what makes the cream rise to the top. Consistency.
