Kennedy Throws Great Game In AAA

Ian Kennedy went 7 1/3 scoreless innings in his first start for the Scranton/Wilkes Barre Yankees, yesterday. Kennedy allowed only one hit, no-hitting the Charlotte Knights through 6 2/3 innings in what was clearly his finest start of the year between the Majors and the Minors. He struck out eight and didn't walk a batter. 

Here's the most jaw-dropping statistic for me: zero walks. Kennedy managed to walk 20 hitters in only 23 2/3 innings in the big leagues. Yankee coaches, especially pitching coach Dave Eiland, were baffled at Kennedy as to why he had so much trouble getting his 88 mile-per-hour fastball over the plate in the Major Leagues. After comments about being intimidated a couple of days ago and this outing I think they have their answer.

Kennedy frightened of Major League hitters' bats. Thus, he panics and doesn't even work the corners, he works off the corners. When he hits his self-imposed target, he is still missing a few inches to the right or left. When he misses, he is throwing the ball way outside since he is already starting off throwing a ball. He feels like every mistake he makes, every curveball that misses its target, every fastball that's too far inside is going to be hit a mile. This explains his relatively high Major League strikeout total (16). A pitcher with his stuff needs to pitch to contact. Since he is throwing the ball so far out of the strike zone, when batters swing, they miss since have so much trouble reaching the pitch.

In his start last night, Kennedy wasn't intimidated by the hitters. He went right after them, throwing strikes and working off his fastball. He has enough confidence in his stuff to throw it over the plate and know it won't get hit. This is the mentality that he needs to bring into the Major Leagues. If he keeps throwing like this, he'll have a spot in the Yankees' rotation shortly, especially after the inevitable Kei Igawa stinkbomb on Friday night. When he is recalled, the Major League Ian Kennedy needs to have the same swagger as the Minor League Ian Kennedy or he will continue his series of terrible outings. After all, that's why the Yankees are so high on him. 

- D. Spell