Phil Hughes returned to the rotation last night and the results were pretty mixed. The first inning didn’t look good as a run scored before an out was recorded. Then, there was that Cervelli-like throw by Russell Martin that let in a second run. But, after that, Hughes settled a little bit.
Overall, he allowed just those two runs on six hits in five innings. He struck out just two batters, but walked only two. He also hit two Cleveland batters.
Hughes threw 87 pitches overall: 40 fastballs, 20 cutters, 21 curves, and 6 changeups. I’m glad he threw that many curveballs because that was something I was worried about. I would’ve traded more curves for more changeups, but I won’t complain too much.
There were, though, the same Hughes problems that presented themselves in the second half of last year and the first few starts of this year. His fastball velocity was fine at an average of 91.51, but there was little velocity range; he topped out at 92.9. Because of that, he only registered two swings and misses. One was a curveball that struck out Carlos Santana in the first inning and the other was on a changeup on which Grady Sizemore whiffed.
Considering where Hughes was before in term of fastball velocity (averaged 89.2 MPH before last night per Texas Leaguers), last night was definitely an improvement. Still, I’m very concerned about the lack of fastball velocity. Why? Because Phil Hughes gets little movement on his fastball and can forget his secondary stuff at times. While he does have the cutter to offset this, if he doesn’t locate it or guys are laying off of it, he becomes ineffective. If he could add just a few more miles per hour back to that fastball, I’d be less worried. Without movement and without consistent low-mid 90s velocity on the fastball, Hughes is not going to register many swings and misses with the pitch, and that can become problematic.
In terms of location, Hughes was a bit iffy. He got better as the game progressed but looking at the pitch type location chart, we can see that too often, fastballs and cutters were left over the plate:
There are positives, though. Like I said, the velocity was there and he was throwing his fastballs for strikes (even if some of them were “too good” if you catch my drift) but there are still issues. The control was there, but the command wasn’t and it seemed like Hughes’ location was a bit sketchy all night. Still, he only walked two and limited the damage, as they say. We’ve got to remember, this was Phil’s first major league start in months. To expect him to be super-sharp was unrealistic and the start is something to build on.
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
11 Responses to Okay results, “meh” process for Hughes in first start back
Leave a Reply
TIQ IQ
Problem with Phil ever since the All Star Break last year is that he is just not fooling anyone with his fastball… I really hope he figures it out because he is so important to this team this year and beyond
His importance to our future is somewhat diminished now that he’s only 2 years from free agency and still has yet to show he can pitch a full season.
“I would’ve traded more curves for more changeups, but I won’t complain too much.”
In theory, yes, going back to last year it would be nice to see Hughes use the CH a little bit more.
In practice, however, it doesn’t look like Hughes still has a good feel for the pitch and has only gotten seven (7!) swings-and-misses on the pitch out of the 103 he has thrown since the beginning of 2010.
http://pitchfx.texasleaguers.com/pitcher/461833/?batters=A&count=AA&pitches=CH&from=3%2F31%2F2010&to=7%2F6%2F2011
I for one have not yet given up on Hughes. While his performance was not what he needs to warrant staying in the rotation, I think it showed he is healthy again. It probably would have been best to have kept him at SWB until after the AS break to continue to build arm strength. However, at some point this year they had to give him a shot at the starting rotation. His command was terrible in the 1st inning (nerves?) and the 5th (fatigue?) but was better in between. He must show significant progress in his next start or two. To have expected him to have pitched last night like he did at the start of 2010 was unrealistic. To expect him to be close to that after another 2 starts is essential.
“To have expected him to have pitched last night like he did at the start of 2010 was unrealistic.”
I don’t think anyone expected that and I don’t think it’s realistic to expect it after three starts either.
Hence the word “close.”
It’s still ridiculous.
Well, he’s definitely not going to add a few miles per hour as you stated. Maybe you were exaggerating? Considering his average mph in years that he has been a starter are: 91.0, 91.2, and 92.6, then 91.5 slots in pretty much exactly what he is. Asking him to add a few mph to this is not going to happen. At most, he is what he was last year at around 92-93, which is plenty as long as he locates the heater and commands his other pitches. He will never be a pure, blow you away with my fastball type pitcher. Swings and misses are going to come, not with more velocity, but with better command and a better changeup/cutter to keep hitters honest. The trouble is more that he’s too predictable right now and he’s not hitting corners.
I was encouraged by a couple good changeups last night (which pretty much matches the number of good changes I’ve seen him throw in his entire career). He also tried to pitch inside a lot more (though he struggled in this aspect). If he can improve in those areas, I think he will get hitters off balance and get more whiffs.
The bottom line is the Red Sox will have a field day with Phil Hughes, new and improved or not.Hector Noseci and or Ivan Nova have better stuff. Take Hughes, Boone Logan, and Luis Ayala, tie them up in a packaged deal and get someone else. ‘Cause we can’t beat the Red Sox with those three.
Noesi and Nova don’t have better stuff actually. Noesi averages 92.9 in the pen in 25 innings. That would drop with simply more outings, and in the rotation he should drop a full MPH or more off of what he is doing now. Noesi projects as nothing more than a reliever. Nova averages 92.2 MPH as a starter, and it doesn’t get strikeouts at anywhere near the rate a healthy Phil Hughes does. Plus Hughes Curve is no where near as lazy, and loopy as Nova’s is. Ayala isn’t a prospect, and Logan is a LOOGY and therefore has very limited trade value based on position alone, never mind the results.
His backdoor cutter is just awful. I wish he’d stop throwing it.