When Aroldis Chapman was clocked at 105 mph during a minor league game, scouts around the game and in the media responded with skepticism, even though the eye popping number was reportedly recorded on two different radar guns. Well, in last night’s relief appearance against the Brewers, Chapman repeatedly threw fastballs that registered over 100 mph, including two that topped out at 104 mph, according to PitchFX. Where are all those doubters now?
Aroldis Chapman's first pitch to Jonathan Lucroy was recorded at 103.9mph. Chapman threw another pitch clocked at 103.8mph in the AB before striking Lucroy out on a slider.
Although still short of the elusive 105 mph that had so many shaking their heads, Chapman’s fastball is everything it was reported to be and more, making the Reds off season acquisition look even more incredible. If Chapman is able to harness his blazing fastball, not to mention his sharp breaking slider, he may turn out to be the once in a generation talent that everyone thought Stephen Strasburg was going to be. Unlike the 2009 number one draft pick, however, Chapman was available to the highest bidder, which means there are 29 other teams who may wind up regretting their relative lack of interest in the Cuban defector who has already drawn comparisons to Randy Johnson. If Chapman turns out to be anything like the Big Unit, it could be a Reds October for years to come.
In the span of just over a week, Nyjer Morgan has transformed himself from one of the game’s more anonymous players into one of its greatest villains.
Nyjer Morgan isn't signaling touchdown, although his actions did help turn last night's contest against the Marlins into a football game (Photo: AP).
Morgan’s troubles started back on August 21, when he threw a ball into the stands and struck a fan in the head during the eighth inning of a game at Citizens Bank Ballpark in Philadelphia. Earlier in the game, the Nationals’ center fielder had been carrying on a contentious conversation with fans in that section, prompting an investigation that concluded with the handing down of a seven game suspension.
Morgan quickly appealed the suspension, and a hearing was set for September 7. So, you’d probably imagine that he would be on his best behavior in the interim? Guess again.
Instead of treading lightly while under the threat of suspension, Morgan went on a home plate collision rampage that eventually culminated in a benches clearing brawl last night in Florida. For those who haven’t seen the highlights, Marlins pitcher Chris Volstad plunked Morgan in apparent retaliation for his home plate collision with rookie catcher Brett Hayes in the previous night’s game. Hayes, who was not blocking the plate, suffered a separated shoulder, which likely added fuel to the fire.
After getting hit, however, Morgan then took it upon himself to steal second and third despite his team trailing by 10 runs. Apparently, this action also didn’t sit well with the Marlins because in his next at bat, Volstad tried to hit Morgan again. This time, however, he missed with the pitch and Morgan came charging after him. Obviously not intimidated by the smallish Morgan, the 6’ 8” Volstad threw down his glove in anticipation of the impending confrontation. As Morgan approached the towering pitcher, he actually had to leap in the air to deliver his first punch, but before anything further could develop, Marlins first baseman Gabby Sanchez came charging in and close-lined him to the ground. From there, the usual pile-up ensued.
When the dust settled, Morgan was seen walking off the field gesticulating to the crowd in WWF style, actions now befitting his new reputation as baseball’s bad boy.
To say Morgan’s behavior has been bizarre would be an understatement. Although Morgan is not known to be the brightest player on the field, he never seemed to have any behavioral issues. In fact, when the Nationals acquired him from the Pirates for Lastings Milledge, it was the Nationals who were thought to be shedding the problem player. Oh, the irony.
Morgan’s litany of transgressions, all coming on the heels of a pending suspension, demand that MLB take immediate and decisive action. For starters, Morgan’s appeal hearing should be held immediately, but not before an extended suspension is levied. Morgan’s reckless behavior over the past 10 days should not be tolerated, so like Hayes, Morgan’s season should also now be over.
More important than disciplining Morgan, however, major league baseball needs to finally address the issue of barreling into the catcher at home plate. For some reason, baseball has long tolerated violent collisions with catchers, whether they are blocking the plate or not. However, the rules clearly state that such an action is illegal. What’s more, the practice of a catcher blocking the plate without the ball is also against the rules…it isn’t good defense, it’s obstruction. By simply enforcing the rules already on the books, baseball could avoid these senseless collisions that not only threaten injuries to catchers and runners alike, but also violate the spirit of the game. The NFL season starts in the fall. Major league baseball should not be providing previews during the summer.
Nyjer Morgan’s Summer of Discontent
August 21: During a game in Philadelphia, Morgan argues with fans before throwing a ball into the stands.
August 28: Morgan makes contact with Cardinals catcher Bryan Anderson despite the latter having his back to the plate without the ball. Morgan was eventually called out because he only touched the plate later with the assistance of another player. After the game, Nationals manager Jim Riggleman criticized his player and opined that his aggression may have stemmed from anger over being moved down to 8th in the batting order.
August 31: In the 10th inning of a scoreless game, Morgan collides with Marlins catcher Brett Hayes, who was not blocking the plate. Had he slid instead, Morgan would have likely scored the go ahead run, but his decision to go for contact not only resulted in an out, but a serious injury to Hayes. Later in the game, Morgan is caught on tape cursing at fans in the stands (see below).
September 1: Nyjer Morgan charges the mound after a second attempt to hit him with a pitched ball. After the ensuing brawl, Morgan rips off his jersey and makes profane and aggressive gestures while walking off the field.
By trouncing the Athletics for the second straight game, the Yankees concluded the month of August with their longest winning streak of the second half and reclaimed sole possession of first place in the process. However, despite ending the month on a positive note, the Yankees had more than their fair share of bumps and bruises along the way.
The biggest weakness during the month was the starting rotation, which posted a disappointing ERA of 5.14 and averaged just over five innings per start. Aside from C.C. Sabathia, who went 5-1 with a 3.12 ERA, and the introduction of Ivan Nova, all of the other starters had a very rocky month. In particular, Javier Vazquez and AJ Burnett each had a horrendous August, collectively going 0-6 with a 7.91 ERA in nine games started. Filling in for Andy Pettitte, Dustin Moseley had a couple of solid outings in victories over the Red Sox and Blue Jays, but otherwise struggled to give the Yankees length and quality innings. Still, the Yankees managed to win four of the six games he started. Rounding out the rotation was Phil Hughes, who like Moseley had his moments, but mostly struggled to go deep into his outings. Hughes never went past the sixth inning in any of his six starts, but considering his innings limit, that probably isn’t such a bad thing.
Because of several early exits by the starters, the Yankees bullpen was called upon to pick up the slack and came through with flying colors. The bullpen’s collective ERA of 2.12 in August was by far the best in the majors, out pacing the next closest team by more than on-half run. Kerry Wood, a trade deadline addition to the team, was particularly impressive, yielding only one run and nine hits in 12 2/3 innings since joining the Yankees. Joining Wood as a force from the left side was Boone Logan, who was unscored upon in his 13 appearances and did not allow an inherited runner to score. Also worth noting were the performances of Vazquez, Sergio Mitre and Chad Gaudin, all of whom helped saved the bullpen on various occasions by being able to deliver quality length. So, despite having a month in which the starters seldom went much more than five innings, Joe Girardi should have a relatively well rested bullpen down the stretch.
Despite losing Lance Berkman and Alex Rodriguez to injury at the end of the month, and in spite of month long struggles by Derek Jeter and Brett Gardner, the Yankees were still able to average 5.3 runs per game in August. Marcus Thames, whose OPS of 1.106 easily led the team in the month, and Mark Teixeira, who continued his second half resurgence, were the two biggest reason why the offense was able to maintain a respectable output (by its own standards), and solid August campaigns by Robinson Cano, Nick Swisher and Jorge Posada also played a role.
At the other end of the spectrum, backups Ramiro Pena and Francisco Cervelli were both more than two runs below average, but startlingly, Derek Jeter was just as bad. Jeter continued his year-long downslide by posting an OPS of .650 in the month, which resulted in a “contribution” of 2.1 runs below average. With Arod and Berkman both due back early in the month, the Yankees biggest concern on offense remains their struggling Captain.
Although there were some encouraging signs from the Yankees offense in August, including its major leading total of 44 long balls, the lineup did suffer from considerable inconsistency. During the month, the Yankees scored in double digits on five occasions for a total of 55 runs, or over 35% of the total output. In 12 other games, however, the team scored three or fewer runs, including three shutouts. Over the previous four months, the Yankees only had 31 such games. So, for much of August, it was either feast or famine on offense. As the pennant race heads into the final month, the Yankees will need to be more consistent at plate.
August Run Distribution
Source: Baseball-reference.com
August was a month of contradictions for the Yankees. The month began with three straight losses, but also included the milestone 600th homerun by Alex Rodriquez. Then, the middle of the month featured a series win over the Red Sox as well as a big comeback victory over Cliff Lee and the Rangers, but segued into a disappointing split against the Royals that included being shut down by journeyman Bryan Bullington. Finally, August came to a close with a four game winning streak despite the starting rotation being in disarray. Through it all, the team managed to end the month where it began…in first place with only one game shaved off its lead.
It’s a credit to the team that they were able to persevere through a month’s worth of trials and tribulations, but as the season enters its final leg, it will undoubtedly have to play better. The return of Alex Rodriguez and Lance Berkman should bolster an offense that finally seems to be turning the corner, but the real challenge for the Yankees will be re-establishing the starting rotation heading into the playoffs. Obviously, the return of Andy Pettitte will play a major role toward that goal, but ultimately, the Yankees must also get AJ Burnett turned around as well as determine who their fourth starter in the post season will be. Although a return to the playoffs is all but assured, the Yankees still have a lot to play for, so September should be a very compelling month.
Falling behind 3-0 to the pitcher with the second lowest ERA in the league probably wasn’t the best way to go about starting the season’s longest homestand on the right note, but that’s exactly what the Yankees did against the Oakland Athletics and Trevor Cahill.
Marcus Thames flips bat away after hitting fifth-inning homerun, his sixth in the last six games (Photo: AP).
Entering last night’s game, Cahill’s ERA of 2.43 trailed only Boston’s Clay Buchholz (2.21), and his August ERA of 0.92 led all starters in the month. So, when Dustin Moseley spotted the Athletics three first inning runs, it seemed like the Yankees were headed for another disappointing loss. The gloom and doom didn’t last for long, however, as the Yankees immediately tied the game in the bottom of the first before taking the lead in the third on back-to-back wall scrappers by Mark Teixeira and Robinson Cano that just made into the first row of the right field short porch. By the time Cahill’s night was over, he had surrendered a career-high eight runs in only four innings, boosting his season ERA by almost one-half run to 2.82.
Despite being taken off the hook and then staked to a lead, Dustin Moseley could not muster enough command to make it through five innings. Throughout the game, Javier Vazquez had been warming as Moseley teetered on the edge, but after allowing a one-out single and a walk in the fifth, Joe Girardi could wait no longer. Vazquez pitched out of Moseley’s jam in the fifth, thanks in large part to a patented Derek Jeter jump throw from the hole to retire Kevin Kouzmanoff, and then polished off the final four innings of the game, yielding only two hits and one run while striking out six. Not only did the rejuvenated right hander, whose fastball averaged 89 mph and topped out at 92 mph, help preserve a much needed victory, but he also saved the bullpen in the process.
For the second time since being demoted to the bullpen, Vazquez was called upon to pick up the slack for a failed starter and once again pitched well enough to merit reconsideration for the rotation. Girardi did not announce any forthcoming changes after the game, but you can bet careful consideration is being given to replacing Moseley with Vazquez. Playing the hot hand may be the best way for Girardi to get the most out of his wobbly rotation, but even more pertinent, re-establishing Vazquez as a potential post season starter could prove significant if Andy Pettitte has any more setbacks (or AJ Burnett is unable to turn things around).
After Vazquez restored order on the mound, the Yankees put the game away with a five-run fifth that was capped off by a titanic three-run blast by Marcus Thames, who sent a 97 mph fastball from Henry Rodriguez into the second deck in left field. The home run was Thames sixth in his last six games, including at least one in each of his last five starts. By filling the power void left by Alex Rodriguez’ injury, Thames, who has six homers off righties and four off lefties, has made a convincing case for more playing time down the stretch. Complicating matters, however, is the impending return of Lance Berkman. With both players best suited for the role of DH, Girardi could find it difficult to get both playing time without compromising the defense. A strict lefty/righty platoon is likely in order, but with the way Thames has been hitting of late, it is going to be very difficult to take his bat out of the lineup.
The win last night was an important one because it helped the Yankees maintain their eight-day embrace with the Rays atop the American League East, a major league record for the longest consecutive first place tie after the month of July. Although both teams now enjoy a comfortable seven game cushion over the Red Sox, the battle for the division looks as if it could go down to the wire. The dog days of August are almost done, but now it’s down the stretch they come.
Most Consecutive Games Started With a HR by a Yankee, Since 1920
