An unscientific glance at the Yankees’ 2011 Spring Training numbers to date

Joe Girardi watching his charges (AP)

In something of a departure for me, I’m going to eschew any advanced analysis and take a cursory, unscientific look at the numbers the Yankees have put up thus far during spring training. All the usual caveats apply — pitchers are more concerned with stuff than results, hitters’ batting lines are partially comprised of numbers built up against pitchers who may not even sniff a Major League roster, etc.

However, now that we’re 19 games into the spring with only 13 left to play, it doesn’t hurt to start taking a look at how everyone’s been doing.

Starting Lineup:
Derek Jeter, .333/.357/.407 in 27 at-bats, 1 XBH, 1 BB
Nick Swisher, .188/.212/.219 in 32 at-bats, 1 XBH, 1 BB
Mark Teixeira, .360/.429/.640 in 25 at-bats, 6 XBH, 2 BB
Alex Rodriguez, .440/.462/.840 in 25 at-bats, 2 HR, 1 BB
Robinson Cano, .214/.241/.286 in 28 at-bats, 2 XBH, 1 BB
Jorge Posada, .231/.310/.423 in 26 at-bats, 1 HR, 3 BB
Curtis Granderson, .321/.387/.786 in 26 at-bats, 3 HR, 3 BB
Russell Martin, .192/.323/.308 in 26 at-bats, 1 HR, 5 BB
Brett Gardner, .280/.419/.520 in 22 at-bats, 5 XBH, 6 BB

Other notables:
Jesus Montero, .185/.214/.222 in 27 at-bats, 1 XBH, 1 BB
Eduardo Nunez, .333/.389/.485 in 33 at-bats, 3 XBH, 2 BB
Jorge Vazquez, .464/.483/.893 in 28 at-bats, 3 HR, 0 BB
Eric Chavez, .370/.414/.407 in 27 at-bats, 1 XBH, 2 BB
Andruw Jones, .208/.296/.417 in 24 at-bats, 1 HR, 3 BB

How nice would it be if Tex can carry this performance into the regular season? I’m not holding my breath, but thus far it looks like the team’s decision to give Tex more spring playing time has worked wonders. Additionally, how about that Alex Rodriguez? Again, expectations must be reined in, but it’s still pretty exciting to think of how good the offense will be if its two main cogs really kick it into gear. Granderson’s also killing the ball as well.

Neither Swish nor Cano have done all that much hitting thus far, but that doesn’t concern me. Russell Martin, true to form, is taking his walks but doing little else, while Brett Gardner continues to impress with the OBP.

Most of the players in contention for the bench are having themselves decent springs. Chavez and Jones could end up combining to form one of the more potent benches the Yankees have had in some time, and even Nunez is performing far better than I’d have expected. I threw Jorge Vazquez on the list, because even though he won’t break camp with the team, it’s impossible to ignore what he’s done. If Vazquez actually learned how to take a walk, he could potentially be a valuable asset off the bench, but for now his best-case scenario is probably filling the Juan Miranda role if one of the veterans on the bench succumbs to injury.

Hurlers:
CC Sabathia, 9.2 IP, 4.66 ERA, 5 K, 2 BB
A.J. Burnett, 9.0 IP, 2.00 ERA, 6 K, 0 BB
Phil Hughes, 9.0 IP, 5.00 ERA, 4 K, 2 BB
Freddy Garcia, 7.2 IP, 4.70 ERA, 6 K, 2 BB
Bartolo Colon, 9.0 IP, 3.00 ERA, 12K, 1 BB
Ivan Nova, 8.0 IP, 2.25 ERA, 3 K, 2 BB
Sergio Mitre, 5.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 4 K, 0 BB

All four men in contention for the back end of the rotation have thrown better than expected, although we heard earlier today that Mitre’s going to be out of commission for an unspecified amount of time. I’m not really sure what to make of the fact that Colon has struck out more than a batter per inning, but I definitely like it. Burnett’s of course generated some excitement with his tweaked mechanics translating into positive results.

Joba Chamberlain, 5.0 IP, 3.60 ERA, 2 K, 2 BB
Pedro Feliciano, 4.0 IP, 2.25 ERA, 6 K, 0 BB
Boone Logan, 2.2 IP, 13.50 ERA, 2 K, 1 BB
David Robertson, 4.1 IP, 6.23 ERA, 9 K, 2 BB
Rafael Soriano, 3.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 3 K, 0 BB
Mariano Rivera, 1.0 IP, o.oo ERA, 3 K, 0 BB

Nothing to see here; the bullpen’s all performed quite well with the exception of Boone Logan. I do wonder if Logan continues to struggle whether Luis Ayala — who’s quietly put together a pretty nice spring — could nab a spot in the ‘pen.

The B’s:
Andrew Brackman, 2.2 IP, 0.00 ERA, 2 K, 2 BB
Dellin Betances, 6.0 IP, 6.00 ERA, 8 K, 7 BB
Manny Banuelos, 7.2 IP, 0.00 ERA, 10 K, 4 BB

True to the scouting reports, Betances is getting his strikeouts while also walking way too many; Brackman’s seen limited duty and pitched well enough; and Banuelos has been pretty lights-out, including another 2 2/3 scoreless innings last night against Boston (though his control wasn’t all there, issuing three walks to two strikeouts).

Other notables:
Hector Noesi, 9.0 IP, 4.00 ERA, 7 K, 1 BB
Adam Warren, 5.2 IP, 1.59 ERA, 5 K, 3 BB
David Phelps, 6.0 IP, 10.50 ERA, 8 K, 4 BB
D.J. Mitchell, 5 IP, 3.60 ERA, 5 K, 0 BB
Eric Wordekemper, 5.1 IP, 3.38 ERA, 3 K, 2 BB
Mark Prior, 3.2 IP, 2.45 ERA, 6 K, 3 BB
Andy Sisco, 3.1 IP, 2.70 ERA, 1 K, 4 BB
Ryan Pope, 4.1 IP, 4.15 ERA, 2 K, 1 BB
Luis Ayala, 6.2 IP, 1.35 ERA, 7 K, 0 BB

Most of these players have either been sent to AAA or reassigned to Minor League camp. Based on spring training results, it would appear that Noesi and Warren will continue to be next in line for spot starts when the inevitable ineffectiveness/injury takes hold of one of the members of the Big League rotation. David Phelps got knocked around a bit, though I’d imagine he remains higher on the depth chart than D.J. Mitchell, who acquitted himself pretty nicely. Andy Sisco managed the ignoble trick of walking three more batters than he struck out, and so the big southpaw will have to work out his control issues in the minors if he doesn’t get released; Mark Prior has compiled a decently inspiring stat line; and Ryan Pope hasn’t been terribly effective but also hasn’t been cut yet, as presumably the Yankees are hoping Pope can contribute out of the ‘pen in the Bronx later this summer.

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