Alan Horne

[jacksonianmarch]

Anyone take a look at Alan Horne? He is the next big thing in the yankees minor league system. And guys like Keith Law continue to underestimate him yet are starting to come around. Asked at the beginning of the yr, Law said that Horne touches 90 and is nothing but a fringe guy. Asked after the first month, he was said to be a 4 or a 5 and throws 88-92. Asked recently and he said Horne is a mid rotation guy who throws low to mid 90s. HE'S GETTING CLOSER!

Alan Horne is a 6'4" power armed pitcher who was a top prospect in the SEC going into his sophomore season at Ole Miss. After Tommy John and a transfer to U of F, he showed flashes of being an ace, but didnt rediscover the consistent dominance of his former yrs until now. At 24 yrs old, many people will consider that he is too old for the league in AA. That is true, but when you lose 2 seasons to Tommy John before you start your pro career, then you have an excuse.

The yankees drafted him in 2005 and made his full season debut in 06 with mixed results. His mechanics were being altered and that led to an uncanny amount of free passes. But he finished strong in A+ ball and led some to consider him a sleeper in the yankees minors and boy were that right. This season, Horne is among the league leaders in ERA, IP, K, and HR allowed mostly due to vastly improved command, repetition of his mechanics, and an overpowering sinker.

Most scouts who actually watch him (Keith Law not included) will make similarities to Chien Ming Wang. Horne features a low 90s sinker but also has a 95-96 mph 4 seamer to go along with a plus curve and developing changeup. This has led to him having significantly low levels of HR's (half of Buchholz's rate) while allowing him to strikeout 10.2 per 9 innings. But his return to command is what is so big for him. Last season, he struggled with his mechanics to the tune of a BB/9IP of 4.5. This season, his BB rate has been nearly halved to 2.4 per 9. His BAA sits at a solid .248 as well. Watch out for this guy.

In a yankee system loaded with pitching talent, Alan Horne could certainly be viewed in 2 different ways. With his sinker and location, he could prove to be a very valuable swing man, a la Scot Shields. OR, he could potentially be a top to middle of the rotation arm with his velocity and his control. We shall see how it plays out, but keep his name in mind. He was the big sleeper for this season, and boy has he broken out.

[lasorda's speed dial]

How is this going to help you today? Yankees are done.

[yeszir]

Originally Posted by lasorda's speed dial

How is this going to help you today? Yankees are done.

So you're ripping him about remaining passionate about his team?

It's not even the proverbial 7th inning of the 2007 season, not quite quitting time.

[lasorda's speed dial]

Originally Posted by yeszir

So you're ripping him about remaining passionate about his team?

It's not even the proverbial 7th inning of the 2007 season, not quite quitting time.

It is the "proverbial" top of the fourth, their starter has already been run out of the game, they're down 5 runs and the bases are loaded with nobody out. Yes I'm ripping him.

On the bright side, Wang is starting to pitch like his old self. Well, that's about it. Pitching prospects? You're going to need 3 of them, cause Wang and Pet are the only decent starters you've got, and they're just decent as of now. Clemens butt raped Capt. Moneybags and is not going to be their saving grace and neither is Arod. Can't wait for him to opt out and sign with the bums this winter. Thanks a lot.

Trade Hughes for Teixeira straight up and hope they can score 8 runs a game.

[Metropolitan Cowboy]

Originally Posted by lasorda's speed dial

It is the "proverbial" top of the fourth, their starter has already been run out of the game, they're down 5 runs and the bases are loaded with nobody out. Yes I'm ripping him.

On the bright side, Wang is starting to pitch like his old self. Well, that's about it. Pitching prospects? You're going to need 3 of them, cause Wang and Pet are the only decent starters you've got, and they're just decent as of now. Clemens butt raped Capt. Moneybags and is not going to be their saving grace and neither is Arod. Can't wait for him to opt out and sign with the bums this winter. Thanks a lot.

Trade Hughes for Teixeira straight up and hope they can score 8 runs a game.

8 runs? They will need at least 10 with that gas can of a bully.

[jacksonianmarch]

6IP 1ER 6H 7K 3BB Solid effort tonight. Time for a promotion I think.

[jacksonianmarch]

6IP 1ER 7K 7H 1BB still dominating.