jacksonianmarch
06-26-2007, 06:17 AM
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.
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.