4/24/2008

Early Returns Pt 2: AL Pitching Prospects Delivering

A quick look at AL pitching prospects already in the Majors

While the National League has been blessed with some stellar pitching debuts from the likes of Johnny Cueto and Hiroki Kuroda, the junior circuit has more than its share of big name freshmen. Here's a quick look at how this season's new arms are doing in the American League.

Of the top pitching prospects already working in the Major Leagues, Yankee wunderkind Joba Chamberlain has seen the most early success.

The Yankees entered the year with a trio of young and exciting arms in Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy, and Joba Chamberlain. Of the Big Three, though, the only bright spot has been Joba, who's been reliable and effective as an 8th inning pitcher. Calls are rising to move him into the rotation already, due to the sad state of fellow prospects Ian Kennedy and Phil Hughes. Joba would certainly boost the starting five, but who could step up to handle the vacant setup role? No other Yankee has been as effective a reliever.

A major disappointment, on the other hand, has come courtesy of the Yankees other top-10 prospect Ian Kennedy. Kennedy is 0-2 in three starts, walking almost a batter per inning while posting a Steinbrenner-rage-inducing ERA of 9.64. While fellow pitcher Phil Hughes hasn't been much better, it's Kennedy who's likely to be demoted, possibly to the minor leagues, if Joba is moved into the rotation.

On the other side of the Bitter Divide, Red Sox super-prospect Clay Buchholz has not yet lived up to his 2007 debut, but who could have quite expected that, anyway. Buchholz has made four starts through today, yielding a 1-1 record and a pretty pedestrian 4.79 ERA. Still, his pitches look fine enough, and the Red Sox profess faith in the young man, so as long as he makes slow progress, he should end the year as one of baseball's best young pitchers.

A little further down the line, Boston prospect Justin Masterson, a righthanded giant from Jamaica, looks like he's ready for a higher level of play. Masterson showed a glimmer of the future to come when he gave up only two hits in a spot start vs the Angels, and followed it up with a 6-inning, 1-run no-decision in the rematch a week later. He has walked more hitters than management would like to see, though, so he'll be back in the minors a bit longer.

Jeff Niemann, one of Tampa's trio of hot pitching prospects, floundered in his big league debut. After handling Baltimore well in his first start, he gave up eight runs in his second game, and was removed before finishing the fourth inning. He clearly needs more time to grow, but since this is Tampa, he'll probably get that time while bouncing around between the bigs and the minors all year long.

A couple of relief pitchers from our Top Prospects List are also getting some turns to shine already, too.

In Cleveland, imported relief specialist Masahide Kobayashi has been solid but non-spectacular for the Indians so far this season, but his 2.58 ERA in 8 full innings is nothing to sneeze at in the powerful AL Central. He's struck out only four, however, and has fallen to fourth on the closer's depth chart in Cleveland. We're interested in watching him, especially late in the season, to see how he adapts to US pitching.

Relocated Braves reliever Joey Devine, now in Oakland, has been one of the A's sweetest surprise pitchers so far, striking out 7 hitters in eight innings of work without yet giving up a single run. He's first in line to take over as closer if Huston Street stumbles, falls, or is traded.