New York Yankees: Why Phil Hughes Earned No. 3 in the Bombers Rotation
April 3, 2012 · Michael Moraitis · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
When spring training 2012 kicked off, the New York Yankees only had two spots guaranteed in their starting rotation: CC Sabathia and Hiroki Kuroda. But at the culmination of spring, Phil Hughes has emerged as the No. 3 starter.
According to Dan Martin of the New York Post, manager Joe Girardi has announced that Hughes will be the Yanks No. 3 starter with Ivan Nova and Freddy Garcia rounding out the last two spots.
So who has earned what spot in the rotation?
3. Phil Hughes: 0-1, 1.56 ERA, 3 ER in 17.1 IP
4. Freddy Garcia: 1-1, 2.92 ERA, 4 ER in 12.1 IP
5. Ivan Nova: 1-2, 6.86 ERA, 15 ER in 19.2 IP
As far as earning a spot is concerned, is there even a debate here? Hughes’ spring has been far and away better than his other teammates, Sabathia and Kuroda included.
Normally, I don’t make a big deal out of the number in the rotation a starter is unless it’s No. 1 or No. 2, but being No. 3 for Hughes could be important moving forward.
It was a rough 2011 for the 26-year-old right-hander, and Hughes’ confidence could be slighted as a result.
In fact, at one point during the spring when Pineda was still healthy and Andy Pettitte announced his comeback, it could’ve been in Hughes’ head that maybe he’d lose out in the rotation altogether.
But instead of letting it get to him like some of his early quotes might have indicated, Hughes worked through it and had himself a great spring.
There’s no question that making Hughes the No. 3 guy in the rotation is a huge show of confidence by Girardi. If not for the signing of Kuroda during the offseason, that would mean Hughes would have earned the No. 2 slot behind CC Sabathia.
It’s a ‘what if,’ but a big one at that.
I expect Hughes to have a great year in 2012. I think the signing of Pettitte gave him that extra boost he needed to right the ship and become the dominant pitcher Yankee fans saw two years ago.
Read more New York Yankees news on BleacherReport.com
Yankee Tickets
Shop Yankee
