The Book on Joba Chamberlain
Graduated Prospect Info
Now that he's no longer rookie-eligible, The Book is closed on Joba Chamberlain as a prospect. This page remains as a historical record of his time in our prospect list.
Last bio and ranking update: 11/1/2007.
Joba Chamberlain
Born 9/23/1985
RHP, NYY
Joba, Joba, Joba. Nothing can stop Joba (okay, except maybe a few bugs.)
A late-round, high-risk draft pick that some scouts called 'insightful' and others labeled 'insane', Joba turned out to be all that the Yankees imagined in 2007. In 2008, he'll be rushed into the rotation. While we'd like to see how he'd react to a full-season of regular use, it's unlikely the Yankees will indulge us: the early rumblings from Florida suggest that he may be used in the bullpen to start the year, or 'rested' there during the heat of summer, in an attempt to keep his innings down. While we love Joba as a reliever, we don't like the idea of shuffling him back and forth. Joba as a starter would be a different kind of pitcher (for one thing, we might see some more offspeed pitches), and until we see that pitcher for awhile, it'll be hard to evaluate. For now, we're a bit bearish on Joba's 2008, because of the risk of Yankee mishandling, multiple adjustment periods for his evolving role, and the near-guarantee that he won't be used enough to rank among the league's best pitchers.
Of course, should the Yankees reverse field again and give Joba one role to stick to all season, and then actually stick to that plan, we'll be higher on the boy.
Player Updates and Notes
Joba Chamberlain lasted only 2 1/3 innings against the Blue Jays in his first start, allowing one run and walking four. That's what the Yankees get for panicking. Even though the hoped-for five innings did not happen, Joba should be allowed to go up to 75 pitches next time out. Expect teams to be very patient with the youngster, who's not used to facing batters more than once per night.
6/4/2008 by KDaddy
Joba Chamberlain will make his first start for the Yankees tonight, at home in Yankee Stadium facing the Blue Jays. He'll be on a 65-pitch limit, which might make it hard for him to notch a win, but the Yankees will be happy with five good innings and strong command.
6/3/2008 by KDaddy
And.... that didn't last long. Reversing their ever-reversible pinstripe course, the Yanks are now back to plan in converting Joba Chamberlain to a starting role. He threw two innings last night, and will presumably be stretched out to longer and longer outings over the next month or so. If the Yankees stick to this new-old plan, Joba should be ready to enter the rotation before the All Star Break.
5/22/2008 by KDaddy
Oh, what tangled webs the Yankees weave. The team has started shuffling their best minor league relievers, which suggests that the on-again/off-again move of Joba Chamberlain to the rotation could be on again, despite the front office remarks from yesterday. Mark Melancon has been promoted to AA Trenton, while J.B. Cox makes space for him by moving up a notch to AAA Scranton. Hmmm...
5/18/2008 by KDaddy
Apparently they're devout readers of ScoutingBook.com, because the Yankees are reportedly finally considering leaving Joba in the bullpen. Perhaps they've finally realized how little else they have available. They may now leave him as an eighth inning man all season. He's certainly good at the job.
5/17/2008 by KDaddy
It's official. Joba Chamberlain will begin the season in the Yankees bullpen. He'll then leave the MLB team for a month in midseason to be stretched out, and return in the second half to join the rotation. If this works out as planned, it makes swiss-cheese out of Joba's usefulness in 2008, and that's assuming the Yankees are confident enough in their bullpen to remove Joba from it at midseason.
2/12/2008 by KDaddy
Bad news for Joba owners: According to ESPN's Buster Onley, Joba is likely to be on a strict innings limit next season, and might even be sent back to the bullpen under a modified version of last season's Joba Rules. This makes Ian Kennedy, about whose overuse the Yankees seem to care little, more likely to join the full-time rotation.
12/22/2007 by BallGrrrl
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