Jose Lopez: It is looking like another second-half collapse for Lopez, 1/8/.237 in 177 AB vs. 7/44/.280 in the first-half. The same thing happened last year, 9/58/.280 in the first-half vs. 1/21//285 in the second-half. Although he is still only 23 years of age, it is not encouraging to see him stagnating in some areas, 2006/2007 BB/K's of .33/.31, and even regressing in other areas, his power is down, 48 extra-base hits in 2006 vs. 26 in 2007, despite his FB% rising to 38% from 33% in 2006. The 8 triples that he hit last year shows nice speed, but he has yet to learn how to take advantage of it on the basepaths, just 2 steals in 4 tries.
Kendry Morales: Morales has been on fire since being recalled on August 24th, 12 for 25 with a home run and 3 doubles, and should still see playing time despite Casey Kotchman returning. Morales was hitting well in Triple-A, .341 average in 255 AB with a solid 88% Ct%, but was not hitting for much power, 5 home runs, or walking very much, 5.6% BB%. Without much power, speed, or the ability to work counts, Morales will probably have trouble finding playing time once a higher percentage of the balls that he puts in play fall for outs instead of singles.
Jack Hannahan: Hannahan is in the midst of an eleven game hitting streak, although he has just one multiple hit game during that span. In 16 games, he is displaying good power, 2 home runs and 4 doubles, and excellent plate patience, 14.5%, which have both carried over well from Triple-A. Unfortunately his poor contact skills, 72% Ct%, have also carried over from the minors. With Eric Chavez out for the year, Hannahan will be the regular third baseman the rest of the way. He can provide help in the power department, but not in batting average.
Ian Kennedy: Kennedy will make his major league debut in a start against the Devil Rays on Saturday. This will be the fourth level that he has pitched in this season. He dominated the lower levels, 1.29 ERA with a 10.3 K/9 in Single-A and a 2.59 ERA with a 10.5 K/9 in Double-A. In six Triple-A starts, he pitched well, 2.08 ERA, 8.8 K/9, and a 2.9 BB/9. Not being a particularly hard thrower, his control, it hovered around the 3.0 BB/9 in all three levels, and minimal experience above Double-A has to be of some concern. Do not be surprised if he struggles in his first shot at major league hitters, although he has to be better than Mike Mussina right now.
Mike Mussina: In his last three starts, Mussina has been horrible, 19 ER in 9.2 innings, prompting the Yankees to remove him from the starting rotation for at least one start. It has to be a serious concern when a 38 year old pitcher loses more than 2 K's per 9 innings from the previous season, 2006/2007 K/9's of 7.8/5.5. Whether the latest blowup is an age-related decline or just a slump will be better known when Mussina gets a few outings out of the bullpen or back in the rotation. For now, he is not worth using in any format.
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