Trying to Pitch His Way Into the Rotation

Right now the Yankees starting rotation is CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett, Bartolo Colon, Freddy Garcia and Ivan Nova.  In the last week they have been extremely successful.  I was not expecting Colon to last very long as a starting pitcher, but he has been a pleasant surprise since Hughes went on the DL.  Garcia has pitched well too, although only in a limited capacity since he has only pitched 2 starts.  Ivan Novo has struggled but continues to show potential and his last start was great.  Unfortunately though, the season won't work out as perfect as the first month and at some point one of these starters will falter.  Since Hughes is out of the picture right now, the Yankees have already started to use their backups.  So it's time to look at a possible mid-season call-ups

Adam Warren has been the most successful starting pitcher for the AAA Scranton Yankees.  Although he has only started 4 games this season, he has posted a 3.75 ERA over 24 innings, allowing 22 hits and striking out 13 batters. 

Warren's last start was this past Tuesday and he went 5.1 innings allowing 7 hits and 5 Earned Runs.  Although he did allow 5 runs, he had a very strong start to the game.  Over the first 4 innings of the game, Warren only allowed 3 hits and no runs.  He had a terrific first inning putting the side down 1-2-3 in 9 pitches.  7 of those 9 pitches were strikes too.  Warren got himself in a small jam in the 5th inning allowing 2 singles.  He was one pitch away from getting himself out of the inning, when he threw a fastball in the zone allowing a 3 run home run.  This home run basically ruined Warren's line for the day, but if it was not for the home run, it could have been a very successful start.

Warren's last start was similar to his second start of the season.  In the second start he allowed only 1 run over the first 5 innings, but got himself in a jam in the 6th inning.  He allowed two batters on base then hung a curveball which allowed the 2 runners to score.  Warren said after the game it was just a bad pitch.  He finished the day going 6 innings allowing 3 runs on 5 hits.  Again, it was only one inning he got himself into a jam after a strong start.


Warren's third start was extremely successful and is the reason I believe he is the 'star' of the Scranton Yankees.  He went 8 shutout innings allowing only 5 hits.  He struck out 3 batters in the process.  Warren is stretched out and throwing roughly 100 pitches a game now.  Warren throws a fastball in the mid 90's, a cutter in the low 90's a two seam fastball in the low 90's and a changeup in the low 80's.  He has quite an arsenal!  He also throws a curveball, but it is his weakest pitch.  If he continues pitching like this, I would bet the Yankees call him up for a spot start or two throughout the season.  Keep an eye on Warren.

That being said, I'm sure that Cashman is trying to work out a trade for another proven starting pitcher.

UPDATED MONDAY MAY 3

Adam Warren pitched this past weekend against the Braves minor league team and had another succesful outing.  Warren pitched 4 scoreless innings before getting himself in a little trouble.  He allowed two home runs in the 5th and 6th innings, but managed to limit the damage to only three runs.  He finished the day going 6 innings allowing only 3 hits and 3 runs.