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On July 23, Hughes recorded his first career save after a 6–3 Yankees victory over the [[Oakland Athletics]]. He relieved [[CC Sabathia]] in the eighth, and pitched two perfect innings.
On July 23, Hughes recorded his first career save after a 6–3 Yankees victory over the [[Oakland Athletics]]. He relieved [[CC Sabathia]] in the eighth, and pitched two perfect innings.


Hughes' dominance in the setup role has widely been regarded as a key to the Yankees 2009 season turn-around. In the same year, Hughes altered his change-up to make his change-up more of a Vulcan Change-Up.
Hughes' dominance in the setup role has widely been regarded as a key to the Yankees 2009 season turn-around. In the same year, Hughes altered his change-up to make it more of a [[Vulcan changeup]].


====2010====
====2010====

Revision as of 19:36, 14 February 2013

For other people named Phil Hughes (baseball), see Phil Hughes (baseball) (disambiguation).
Phil Hughes
New York Yankees – No. 65
Starting pitcher
Born: (1986-06-24) June 24, 1986 (age 38)
Mission Viejo, California
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
debut
April 26, 2007, for the New York Yankees
Career statistics
(through 2012 season)
Win–loss record52–36
Earned run average4.39
Strikeouts535
WHIP1.29
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Philip Joseph "Phil" Hughes (born June 24, 1986) is an American right-handed baseball pitcher who has played six seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees. He was the Yankees' first-round pick in the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft.

During his time in the Yankees' minor-league system, Hughes became one of the most highly anticipated prospects in baseball. He debuted in the Major Leagues in 2007, and quickly demonstrated his potential with a bid for a no-hitter in only his 2nd MLB start. However, injury cut short his start, as well as significant portions of his 2007 and 2008 seasons. Hughes began 2009 in the starting rotation, but after struggling, he was converted to a relief pitcher for the remainder of the season, where he excelled as a setup man in a World Series-winning season. He returned to the rotation in 2010, winning 18 games and earning his first All-Star selection. Arm fatigue cost Hughes nearly half of the season in 2011.

His pitching repertoire consists of a four-seam fastball, slider, curveball, and changeup.

Early life

Hughes was born in Mission Viejo, California, and attended Foothill High School in Santa Ana, California, where he was a first-team High School All-American pitcher and had one perfect game.[1] In his junior year (2003), he had a 12–0 record and posted an 0.78 earned run average (ERA) while striking out 85 batters in 72 innings. In his senior year (2004), he had an 0.69 ERA and a 9–1 record. In 61 innings, he gave up 41 hits and three walks while striking out 83 batters.[2]

Hughes first committed to Santa Clara University, but he chose to sign with the New York Yankees when they selected him in the 1st round (23rd overall) of the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft.[2] The Yankees were awarded this pick when they lost free agent pitcher Andy Pettitte to the Houston Astros.[3][4]

Professional baseball career

Minor leagues (2004–2007)

In 2004, Hughes pitched five scoreless innings for the rookie Gulf Coast League Yankees, striking out eight hitters. He spent 2005, his first full professional year, between the Class A Charleston RiverDogs and the Advanced A Tampa Yankees. He had a 9–2 record and a 1.24 ERA, and in 85+1⁄3 innings he gave up 54 hits while striking out 93.[5]

After attending spring training with the Yankees in 2006, Hughes began the season with Tampa. He was promoted to the Double-A Trenton Thunder of the Eastern League at the beginning of May after he had a 2–3 record and a 1.80 ERA with Tampa while striking out 30 batters in 30 innings.[1][6]

Hughes with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees

In 2006 in the minor leagues, Hughes held opposing batters to a .179 batting average in 146.3 innings, while averaging 2 walks and 10 strikeouts per 9 innings pitched.[7] On June 13, Hughes took a no-hitter into the sixth inning and threw a one-hitter through seven innings in a 3–0 victory over the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.[8] Ten days later, he put forth another dominant start, taking a no-hitter into the eighth inning and pitching eight shutout innings in a 4–0 win over the Connecticut Defenders.[9] He became stronger as the year progressed; in August he gave up only 10 hits in 30 innings, while striking out 40. Hughes made one appearance in the Eastern League playoffs, earning a no-decision after pitching six innings of 1-run ball with 13 strikeouts.[10] The game was the only postseason victory for the Thunder that year.[11]

In November 2006, Baseball America rated Hughes the Yankees #1 prospect, and as having the best curveball and best control in the Yankee system, called him "arguably the best pitching prospect in the minors," and projected him as the Yankees #1 starter in 2010.[12] Through 2006, in his minor league career Hughes was 21–7 with a 2.13 ERA in 237.1 innings (45 starts), in which he averaged 5.7 hits, 2.0 walks, and 10.2 strikeouts per 9 innings.

Hughes was rated the #2 prospect in the minor leagues for 2007 by Baseball Digest.[13] Brian Cashman indicated in December 2006 that he wanted Hughes to start the 2007 season in Triple-A, though he had the talent to start the season in the major leagues.[14]

In January 2007, the Yankees announced that Hughes was being invited to spring training.[15] He began the 2007 pitching for the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees.

Major Leagues (2007–present)

2007

Following injuries to several Yankees' starters in 2007, Hughes was called up in April.[16] Hughes, the second-youngest player in the American League in 2007, made his major league debut on April 26, 2007, against the Toronto Blue Jays wearing number 65 (he wears 65 because he wanted to wear a number ending in five, and every lower number ending in five was taken or retired (5 Joe DiMaggio, 15 Thurman Munson, 25 Jason Giambi, 35 Mike Mussina, 45 Carl Pavano, 55 Hideki Matsui). In 4.1 innings, he allowed four runs on seven hits, earning his first career loss. In his second major league start on May 1 against the Texas Rangers, he was dominant and in control while maintaining a no-hitter through 6 and 1/3 innings before pulling his left hamstring on an 0–2 curveball to Mark Teixeira.[17] He returned on August 4 against the Kansas City Royals, in a 4.2-inning no-decision.

Hughes made his first post-season appearance in 2007 against the Cleveland Indians, pitching in relief in Game 1. He relieved Roger Clemens and pitched 3.2 scoreless innings in Game 3. He struck out four and earned his first playoff win. The youngest person on the Yankees roster (Hughes, 21) replaced the oldest person on the roster (Roger Clemens, 45) when Clemens left with a hamstring injury.

2008

Hughes pitching in May 2008

Prior to the 2008 season, it was reported by numerous news sources that Hughes was coveted by the Minnesota Twins organization in a trade that would involve pitcher Johan Santana.[18] Trade talks between the teams fell through, however, and Santana instead went to the New York Mets.

For the first half of the 2008 season, Hughes switched to number 34, a number he wore in high school and for the 2006 All-Star Futures Game. On April 30, he was placed on the disabled list with a strained oblique and cracked rib. On a May 2 visit to an optometrist, Hughes was found to be slightly nearsighted and started wearing glasses on the mound.[19] After recovering from the rib injury, Hughes spent the summer in Triple-A with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, where he helped them win the 2008 International League title.

After the IL playoffs, Hughes was recalled to the Yankees on September 13. On September 17, Hughes made his first start since April 29 against the Chicago White Sox at Yankee Stadium. He went four innings with a no-decision, giving up one earned run.

After his call up, Hughes was re-assigned the number 65 jersey.[20] Because injuries severely limited his workload during the season, the Yankees sent Hughes to the Arizona Fall League to pitch more innings.[21]

2009

Hughes before a game against the Chicago White Sox

Although he had a solid performance in spring training, Hughes began the 2009 season in Triple-A. He was called up to the majors early in the season after Chien-Ming Wang was placed on the disabled list. Hughes debuted on April 28 against the Detroit Tigers, and pitched six scoreless innings with a career-high 6 strikeouts. Hughes pitched well enough to earn another start on May 3 against the Angels. On May 25 Hughes made his best start of his career, pitching 8 scoreless innings against the Texas Rangers.

Wang returned to the rotation in early June and Hughes was moved temporarily to the bullpen, where he pitched well, becoming the primary setup man.[22] Some commentators began to implore the Yankees to keep Hughes as a setup pitcher,[23] much as they previously had with fellow pitcher Joba Chamberlain following his stint as a set-up pitcher. However, the Yankees organization maintained that Hughes will be a starter over the long-term.[24]

On July 23, Hughes recorded his first career save after a 6–3 Yankees victory over the Oakland Athletics. He relieved CC Sabathia in the eighth, and pitched two perfect innings.

Hughes' dominance in the setup role has widely been regarded as a key to the Yankees 2009 season turn-around. In the same year, Hughes altered his change-up to make it more of a Vulcan changeup.

2010

On March 25, Hughes was named as the Yankees 5th starter for the 2010 season.[25] On April 21, Hughes carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning against the Oakland Athletics before allowing a leadoff single to Eric Chavez; he would face two more hitters prior to being relieved, having struck out a career-high 10 batters.[26]

He went on to win his first five decisions, a streak snapped May 22 by the New York Mets at Citi Field.[27] He followed with another five-game win streak, the last coming against the Mets, June 19 at Yankee Stadium.[28] After missing a start, he saw this win streak come to an end June 29 against Cliff Lee and the Seattle Mariners.[29]

Hughes was named to the AL All-Star Team, Sunday, July 4. Five days after his first selection to the midsummer classic, Hughes beat the Mariners, this time in Seattle, but not against Lee, the announced probable starting pitcher up until his trade to the Texas Rangers in the hours before gametime.[30] He would also be on the wrong end of the decision in his next outing – July 13 in Anaheim. Hughes, the sixth pitcher used by the AL in the Midsummer Classic, allowed a pair of one-out singles to Scott Rolen and Matt Holliday in seventh inning before yielding to Matt Thornton of the White Sox; Rolen and Holliday scored the tying and go-ahead runs on Brian McCann's three-run double that proved decisive in the N.L.'s 3–1 victory. Hughes had a good season in 2010, finishing fourth in the A.L with 18 wins, only 8 losses, and a 4.19 ERA.

2011

Hughes, who began as the third starter in the 2011 season, suffered from a dip in velocity. His four-seam fastball averaged only 89 mph and peaked at 92 mph after three starts, compared to his usual 92–95 mph. After opening the season 0–1 with a 13.94 ERA in three starts, Hughes was placed on the disabled list due to a dead arm syndrome.[31] It was later revealed that Hughes had been suffering from shoulder inflammation. He underwent an arm strength rehabilitation program for several weeks. On July 6, he made his first start in nearly 3 months, pitching five innings, allowing two earned runs, striking out and walking two batters, in a 5–3 loss to the Cleveland Indians.[32] Soon after Hughes' return, the Yankees found themselves with 6 starters, leading to speculation about which pitcher would be removed from the starting rotation. Thus far, Hughes has pitched well in the second half, with a 3.72 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and 4–2 record.[33]

2012

Hughes in August 2012

On January 16, 2012, Hughes signed a one-year deal worth $3.25 million that includes incentives, effectively avoiding arbitration. His deal is a $0.5 million raise from his disappointing 2011 season.[34]

Hughes started off the 2012 season poorly, averaging only four innings in his first four starts. His numbers improved in May and the first half of June with an average of 6.4 innings per start in that time.[35] Hughes's revived fastball helped him to his first career complete game on June 3 in a road start against the Detroit Tigers.[36]

Personal

As a child, Hughes was a Boston Red Sox fan and had a poster of Nomar Garciaparra with the slogan "Reverse the Curse" on his bedroom wall.[37] Hughes is a devout Christian. 'Phil. 4:13' can be seen in his glove.

Scouting report

Hughes in 2011

Hughes's pitch repertoire has varied over the years, although his main pitch has consistently been a four-seam fastball at 92–95 mph, and he has also relied on a spike curveball in the range of 73–77 mph. He has also developed a mid-80s changeup against left-handed hitters, and in mid-2012 he developed a low-80s slider to right-handers.[38]

Hughes added a cut fastball in the high 80s as a weapon against right-handers in the 2008 season, and he used the pitch 16% of the time in the 2009 and 2010 seasons:[38]

It was something I was messing around with in rehab and figured could be a good equalizing pitch in fastball counts. It was basically a way to get some cheap outs. It was also a pitch that was easier for me to control than a slider. It’s just a fastball grip with a little alteration, so it was easier for me to throw strikes with it. That was kind of the purpose to adding it in.[39]

By early 2011, Hughes's velocity on his fastball was down several mph, and there was speculation that his overuse of the cutter was to blame.[40] Hughes continued to use the cutter into the start of the 2012 season. Through his first four starts, Hughes went 1–3 with a 7.88 ERA; he threw the cutter about 12% of the time in this span.[41][42] Beginning in early May, Hughes seems to have decided to drop the cutter as a pitch in his repertoire, using it only 1.5% of the time from May 1 to June 17.[43][44] Hughes went 6–2 with a 3.51 ERA in that span.

Hughes throws a disproportionate number of his pitches high in the strike zone and above the zone.[45] He has one of the lowest ground ball/fly ball ratios in baseball among active pitchers.[46]

Hughes asserts that the hamstring injury he suffered in his rookie year has permanently altered his pitching mechanics: "My stride, and things like that, have never quite been the same."[39]

Awards and honors

  • 2004 – 1st team High School All-American P
  • 2005 – New York Yankees Minor League Player of the Year
  • 2006 – Minor League Baseball's End-of-Season Prospect Rankings[47]
  • 2006 – Minor League News ranking – No. 45 – MLN 123 Baseball 2006[48]
  • 2007 – Baseball America's Top 100 prospects: #4.[49]
  • 2010 – American League All-Star

References

  1. ^ a b "Phil Hughes Stats, Video Highlights, Photos, Bio". MLB.com. Retrieved February 8, 2013.
  2. ^ a b Feinsand, Mark (2004-06-07). "Bombers take California righty". MLB.com. Retrieved 2011-08-22.
  3. ^ Kepner, Tyler (December 12, 2003). "Yankees Lose Part of Their Core As Pettitte Signs With Houston". The New York Times. Retrieved October 14, 2009.
  4. ^ "1st Round of the 2004 MLB June Amateur Draft". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 8, 2013.
  5. ^ "Phil Hughes Minor League Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com (Minors). Retrieved February 8, 2013.
  6. ^ "Sardinha's three-run walkoff home run gives Thunder 3-2 win". oursportscentral.com. May 3, 2006. Retrieved February 12, 2013.
  7. ^ "Philip Hughes 2006 Stats". minorleaguesplits.com. Archived from the original on April 2, 2007. Retrieved April 26, 2007.
  8. ^ "Hughes helps Thunder to 3-0 win". oursportscentral.com. June 13, 2006. Retrieved February 9, 2013.
  9. ^ "Hughes flirts with "no-no" in 4-0 Trenton win". oursportscentral.com. June 23, 2006. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
  10. ^ "Matsui, Hughes lead Thunder to 3-1 win". oursportscentral.com. September 6, 2006. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
  11. ^ "Thunder season ends with "walkoff" loss to Sea Dogs". oursportscentral.com. September 9, 2006. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
  12. ^ Manuel, John (2006-11-08). "2007 Prospects: New York Yankees Top 10 Prospects". BaseballAmerica.com. Retrieved 2007-04-26.
  13. ^ Hamrahi, Joe (2006-12-20). "Baseball Digest Daily's 2007 Top 100 Prospects: #1 – #50". baseballdigestdaily.com. Retrieved 2007-04-26.
  14. ^ Jennings, Chad (2006–12–16). "Farm taking root Yankees stockpile minors with legitimate prospects". The Times-Tribune. Retrieved 2007-04-26. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  15. ^ Hoch, Bryan (2007-01-12). "Hughes among Yankees spring invites". MLB.com. Retrieved 2007-04-26.
  16. ^ Breakey, Caleb (April 25, 2007). "Hughes ready for coming-out party". Yankees.MLB.com. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  17. ^ Kepner, Tyler (2007-05-02). "A No-Hit Bid by Hughes Ends With a Leg Injury". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-05-22.
  18. ^ "Santana for Melky, Hughes, and Prospect?". Mlbtraderumors.com. 2007-10-21. Retrieved 2010-03-26.
  19. ^ Hoch, Bryan (2008-05-02). "Hughes to wear glasses upon return". MLB.com. Retrieved 2010-03-26.
  20. ^ Abraham, Peter (2008-09-13). "Hughes en route to New York". yankees.lhblogs.com. The Journal News. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
  21. ^ Hughes, Phil (2008-09-00). "AAA Playoffs". Yardbarker. Retrieved 2011-08-22. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  22. ^ Martin, Dan (2009-07-05). "'Pen Comes Up Hughes". New York Post. Retrieved 2010-03-26.
  23. ^ Madden, Bill (2009-07-02). "As Phil Hughes dominates in relief, Joe Girardi should give him Yankees' set-up role". Daily News. Retrieved 2010-03-26.
  24. ^ Munson, John (2009-07-01). "General manager Brian Cashman in no hurry to take Phil Hughes out of New York Yankees bullpen". NJ.com. Retrieved 2011-08-22.
  25. ^ Hoch, Bryan (2010-03-25). "Hughes named Yankees' fifth starter". MLB.com. Retrieved 2010-03-25.
  26. ^ "April 21, 2010 New York Yankees at Oakland Athletics Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. 2010-04-21. Retrieved 2011-08-22.
  27. ^ "May 22, 2010 New York Yankees at New York Mets Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. 2010-05-22. Retrieved 2011-08-22.
  28. ^ "June 19, 2010 New York Mets and New York Yankees Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. 2010-06-19. Retrieved 2011-08-22.
  29. ^ "June 29, 2010 Seattle Mariners at New York Yankees Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. 2010-06-29. Retrieved 2011-08-22.
  30. ^ Sullivan, T.R. (2010-07-09). "Rangers acquire Lee from Mariners". MLB.com. Retrieved 2011-08-22.
  31. ^ Begley, Ian (2011-04-16). "Yankees put Phil Hughes on DL". ESPN.com. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved 2011-08-22.
  32. ^ Hoch, Bryan (2011-07-06). "Hughes progresses, but Yanks can't help". MLB.com. Retrieved 2011-08-22.
  33. ^ "Phil Hughes Stats, Splits – Pitching: 2011". ESPN.com. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved 2011-08-22.
  34. ^ "Yankees avoid arb. with Phil Hughes at $3.2M". NBC Sports. January 16, 2012.
  35. ^ "Phil Hughes 2012 Pitching Splits - Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  36. ^ "Phil Hughes' fastball command key to complete game win, a sign of hope for future". New Jersey On-Line. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  37. ^ Hoch, Bryan (April 12, 2008). "Where were you?". Bombers Beat. Retrieved September 7, 2012.
  38. ^ a b "Brooks Baseball · Home of the PitchFX Tool - Player Card: Phil Hughes". Brooks Baseball. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  39. ^ a b Laurila, David (July 27, 2012). "Q&A: Phil Hughes, Evolution of a Repertoire". Fangraphs. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
  40. ^ Harper, John (April 16, 2011). "For Phil Hughes, development of cut fastball may be to blame for lost velocity, not 'dead arm' - New York Daily News". Daily News. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  41. ^ "Phil Hughes 2012 Pitching Gamelogs - Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  42. ^ "Phil Hughes, New York Yankees - PITCHf/x Pitcher Profile - TexasLeaguers.com". Texas Leaguers. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  43. ^ "Phil Hughes, New York Yankees - PITCHf/x Pitcher Profile - TexasLeaguers.com". Texas Leaguers. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  44. ^ Schultz, Eric (May 8, 2012). "Hughes improves by cutting out the cutter". The Yankee Analysts. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  45. ^ "PitchFX Pitcher Profile: Phil Hughes". Baseball Prospectus. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  46. ^ "Major League Leaderboards » 2012 » Pitchers » Batted Ball Statistics". Fangraphs. Retrieved 5 September 2012. {{cite web}}: Text "FanGraphs Baseball" ignored (help)
  47. ^ Mayo, Jonathan. "2006 Minor League Baseball's End-of-Season Prospect Rankings". minorleaguebaseball.com. Retrieved 2007-04-26.
  48. ^ Hickling, Dan (2007-04-26). "Minor League News ranking: No. 45 – MLN FAB50 Baseball 2006". minorleaguenews.com. Retrieved 2007-04-26.
  49. ^ "Prospects: 2007 Top 100 Prospects". BaseballAmerica.com. 2007-02-28. Retrieved 2010-03-26.
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