Monday, August 15, 2011

Update On the Killer B's


Dellin Betances
The big news coming out of Double-A Trenton yesterday was Dellin Betances has been called up to Triple-A.  This was an expected call-up, especially after Bentances’ most recent game this past weekend.  In Betances most recent start he pitched 7 full innings, allowing only 5 hits and 1 run.  By all accounts, this was his best game yet as he struck out 6 and allowed no walks.  Betances threw 97 pitches over 7 innings and 60 were strikes.  It was also great to see that Betances held 2010’s #1 Draft Pick, Bryce Harper hitless in his 3 at bats including a strikeout to the slugger.  Ultimately, Harper did win the game with a walk off home run in the 9th.
Betances has now started in 21 games for the Double-A Trenton Thunder, yet has only pitched 105 innings.  His ERA is 3.42 and his WHIP is 1.33.  In those 105 innings, Betances has now struck out 115 which brings his strikeout ratio up to 9.8K/9IP.

BETANCES UPDATE 8/19: Betances had his first Triple-A start on Thursday night and impressed. He threw 6 full innings allowing 3 runs on 7 hits.  I was surprised to see him pulled after only 91 pitches when he was still throwing heat in the 6th inning (94 mph), but I guess they wanted him to finish on a high note.  He finished on a high note indeed, as he had 8 strikeouts in his Triple-A Debut.
 

Manny Banuelos
Manny Banuelos pitched again in Triple-A making his third start with the Scranton Yanks since being called up.  Banuelos allowed 6 hits and 3 runs over 5.2 Innings Pitched to take the loss.  He was better than the numbers indicate though as he ran into trouble during the first inning allowing 4 of his 6 hits and 2 of the 3 runs. Following the troublesome 1st inning, Banuelos settled down and pitched into the 6th inning allowing only 2 more hits and 1 run while striking out 3.  55 of his 96 pitches were strikes although he did allow 4 walks.
Banuelos since joining Triple-A has started 3 games, pitching a total of 16.2 innings. His ERA is 3.24 and his WHIP is 1.62.  Although he only struck out 3 in the last game, his strikeout ratio is still, 8.6K/9IP.  Overall, the Yankees seem to be pleased with Banuelos’ progress this season.  No word on whether he will be called up by the Yankees this season.

Andrew Brackman
"Killer B" is not really an accurate description of Andrew Brackman as this season has been very disappointing.  Brackman started this season as a starter but about halfway through the season was assigned to the bullpen.  As a starter, Brackman went 2-5 with a 6.75 ERA which prompted the move to the bullpen.  The cause for the struggles seems to be in his mechanics, which is no surprise as Brackman is nearly 7 feet tall. It seems that his mechanics issues have manifested a problem with his control.  Equally as problematic is the drop in his velocity from last season. Brackmans velocity has dropped from the mid 90’s to the low 90’s.  At one point last season, Brackman was hitting 97 mph, but this year he is topping out around 92mph.
Overall he has pitched a total of 81 innings and has an ERA of 6.86 and a WHIP of 1.77.  His peripherals aren’t much better as his walk ratio is higher than his strikeout ratio – 7.7BB/9IP to 7.1K/9IP.  This was supposed to be a big year for Brackman as this would be his second full season fully recovered from Tommy John Surgery, but he has been unable to produce.  I’m not sure where this leaves Brackman as his 4 year deal expires after this season.


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