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January 19, 2007

Peaking Over The Fence To Check Out The Green Stuff

I was just reading about the Mets two best pitching prospects in Baseball America this morning - Mike Pelfrey and Philip Humber. This is what they said about each one:

Mike Pelfrey -

"There are few pitchers in the minors whose fastball can rival Pelfrey's. His two-seamer sits at 92-95 mph with fierce sink and late life and rates as a 70 on the 20-80 scouting scale."

"He should be in the Mets rotation for years to come and has the potential to be a legitimate No. 1 starter."

Philip Humber -

"Humber's curveball is one of the best in the minors. Thrown at 74-78 mph, it has tight rotation with a powerful downward action. His fastball sits at 90-94 mph. He also features a developing low-80s changeup with late sink. He throws strikes with all three pitches."

"Though his stuff is good enough to pitch in the big leagues, Humber will probably be better served with a full season in Triple-A to improve his endurance. He profiles as a No. 2 or 3 starter."

For the Yankees, some consider their two best pitching prospects to be Phil Hughes and Humberto Sanchez. Here is what Baseball America says about those two prospects:

Phil Hughes -

"Hughes has it all, with the combination of stuff, feel and command to profile as a No. 1 starter."

"Hughes sits at 91-95 mph with his four-seam fastball and touches 96. He can throw quality strikes with either his four-seamer or his upper-80s two-seamer."

Humberto Sanchez -

"Humberto Sanchez, who started the 2006 Futures Game for the World team, is one of the better pitching prospects in the upper minors. He's not as good as top Yankees prospect Philip Hughes, but Sanchez is in the next tier. If he's healthy after experiencing elbow problems late in the season, he could contribute in New York in 2007."

Mike Pelfrey versus Phil Hughes.
Philip Humber versus Humberto Sanchez.

Which pitching prospect duo is better - the Mets or the Yankees?

It's a very interesting debate. And, it may not be able to be settled until some time around October 2017.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at January 19, 2007 09:45 AM

Comments

I'd take Hughes over Pelfrey, but Humber over Sanchez because of Sanchez' nagging injuries.

Quite the debate. Would you take Hughes-Tabata-Sanchez over Pelfrey-Martinez-Humber? Another good debate.

After that, the Yanks system is clearly deeper...

Posted by: Mike A. [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 19, 2007 11:24 AM

I'll reserve judgement till January 19, 2010. I think we'll have a better idea at whose career is starting out better - with respect to the four pitchers you have listed.

Though by 2017 it could be the end of the world, all out world war, peak oil, Rosie passes gas in NYC (again) and kills everyone, a lot could definitely happen by then.

Posted by: Garcia [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 19, 2007 12:11 PM