Yankees Turn to Phil Hughes

The New York Yankees have announced that young phenom Phil Hughes will start Thursday night's game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium. Hughes started the year at AAA Scranton and has compiled a 2-1 record with a 3.94 ERA. In his last start vs Syracuse he pitched 6 scoreless and recorded 10 strikeouts.

The Yankees are currently reeling, having lost their last 5 games. Including a sweep by the Boston Red Sox over the weekend. Their pitching staff has been devastated by injuries to starters Carl Pavano, Chein-Ming Wang and Mike Mussina. Lately they have been starting the ineffective pair of Jeff Karstens (0-1, 14.54 ERA) and Chase Wright (1-0, 7.88 ERA). So the Yankees are turning to Phil Hughes to try and help them until the regular starters can return.

Prior to this year Hughes has been nothing short of amazing in the minors, having gone 21-7 with a 2.13 ERA. His K rate has also been tremendous at 10.2, and his BB rate is also great at 2.1. Most scouts and baseball executives consider Hughes to be the top pitching prospect in all of baseball.

He will be facing a tough Blue Jays lineup in his first start, and a hot team. The Blue Jays just completed a mini sweep of the Boston Red Sox. Can Hughes handle the assignment? Everything in his minor league record indicates he can. Many believe Hughes should have been in the Yankee rotation right from the start of the year.

Hopefully you get the Yes Network and can watch the game Thursday night. All Yankee fans will be tuned in to see what they hope will be the next great Yankee pitcher. And many non Yankee fans will also be turning in to see the best pitching prospect in baseball making his Major League debut.