According to Peter Abraham’s LoHud blog Jonathan Albaladejo has once again made the Yankees team right out of spring training. Albaladejo, acquired from the Nationals for Tyler Clippard, has impressed again this spring with 9 2/3 innings, allowing only eight hits, one ER, one walk with eight strikeouts. Clippard, meanwhile, is best known as probably the best hitting pitcher of all time!

With the major league pitching staff set Dan Giese, Alfredo Aceves and Brett Tomko were either optioned to Scranton or reassigned to minor league camp. Aceves will be in the Triple A rotation while Brian Cashman said that Tomko will pitch from the Scranton bullpen.

According to Pete Abe, Tomko was crushed, saying the news came as a shock. But he doesn’t have an out in his deal until June. “I don’t have any options,” he said. “I’m trying to be rational about it and look at the big picture. But it’s tough because I had a great spring.”

I still believe that Tomko is just an average pitcher who had a real good streak this spring and the Yankees should pursue trading him to a team that needs an innings eating starting pitcher, like the Dodgers (Torre loves that veterans!), Rangers, Orioles, Cardinals, Rockies or Astros. Based upon how John Maine begins the season, the Mets might even be interested.  

I still do not understand the fascination with the “long man/spot starter” type guy. The Yankees never needed one this season. Over the last THREE years and 367 total starts between them, the combined amount of starts that the proposed rotation of Sabathia, Burnett, Wang, Pettitte and Chamberlain that DID NOT go at least into the 6th inning was 15%. 

Only 15% of the starts did not go at least into the 6th inning! Why the need then for a guy to pitch 4+ innings? Based upon recent history, a Yankee starting pitcher lasting less than six innings will likely occur 24 times (162 games x .15) or just once a week!

There was never a need for a long man. Relievers Phil Coke (former starter), Albaladejo and Edwar Ramirez are all capable of going two (or more) innings at a time. One reason they can is they all throw strikes and walk very few batters. Those three relievers walked a total of THREE batters in 29 2/3 innings this spring.

And the Yankees have begun a trend in the minor leagues to develop two plus innings relievers. They are not converted former starters, but college relievers who have been groomed by the Yankees to throw 2+ innings at a time. Former 2006 draftees David Robertson and Mark Melancon were former college closers who have been effective throughout their brief pro careers by working quickly, throwing strikes and eating middle innings. They also routinely throw two plus innnings in their appearances.

For example, Melancon, who underwent Tommy John surgery in 2006 and missed the entire 2007 season, appreared in 44 games in 2008, and threw 95 innings, an average of 2.16 innings per appearance. And the key to lots of innings is throwing strikes. In fact, Melancon started Monday’s (3/30/09) Triple A game, throwing three innings, using only 38 pitches, of which 31 were strikes. Only one ball was hit out of the infield.

In fact, Melancon started Monday’s Triple A game, throwing three innings, using only 38 pitches, of which 31 were strikes. Only one ball was out of the infield.

The Yankees have begun to change course withe their organizational philosophies, with the one area of the bullpen currently reaping the rewards. In due time, the positional players and starting rotation will begin to arrive and Yankee fans will see the fruits of Brian Cashman’s labors.

Let’s hope that Ramiro Pena gets the last roster spot, furthering the productiveness of the Yankee farm system.

Tags: Brett Tomko, Brian Cashman, Jonathan Albaladejo, LoHud blog, New York Yankees, Peter Abraham