Day Off Dilemma: Phil Hughes
On days where the Yankees aren’t playing, (Days Off) I will be starting a series called Day Off Dilemma’s, where I discuss one problem I have with the Yankees, or perharps even baseball in general. Today’s will be about Phil Hughes, currently fourth in the starting rotation in for the Bombers.
Yes, I heard all the hype surrounding Hughes after being a first round draft pick, and a supposed “star” in the making while he was in the minors. Even I was a believer after he had thrown 7 innnings of no hit ball against the Rangers. But while he still had a no-hitter going, he injured himself, and was on the DL for an extended period of time.
He came back, and while he served as an 8th inning set up man, I loved him. He had good velocity, and he threw strikes. He had a great year, and so did the Yankees. That year was 2009, and they won the World Series. The next year, he earned a spot in the starting rotation. And, for the first half of the season, he looked great. But after the All-Star break in 2010, he has never been the same pitcher. He can’t throw the ball nearly as hard as he used to, and his fastball is DEAD STRAIGHT. He got hit hard throughout last year, but Brian Cashman(GM) and Joe Girardi(Manager) were convinced he could get back to his form 2010, in which he went 18-8.
My opinion: put this guy in the bullpen where he can be effective, or trade him. When Michael Pineda and Andy Pettite join the team in May, I sure hope Phil Hughes is the odd man out of the rotation, because he simply cannot perform at a high level as a starter.
Disagree? Leave a comment below!
The New York Yankees Daily 
Hughes took that no hitter into the 7th against the Rangers, not the Indians. Also, he went 18-8 in 2010 not 19-6.
Phelps held his own. Someone give that kid a spot on the rotation!
After today, I couldn’t agree with you more.
It’s obvious that his fastball has nothing on it when Pujols hits an 0-2 fastball at his neck. He was trying throw that pitch away, but it had no velocity. Thanks for the comment!