Alfredo Aceves: A Yankee Sleeper?

It was only yesterday Yankee fans and the Yankee front office were pinning their season on generation trey.  Three young kids whom the organization vehemently refused to part ways with to attain even the greatest and most established of available veteran pitchers.

So far generation trey has amounted to 4 wins, 11 losses, three various injuries and a boat load of disappointment.  One would be insulting Chamberlain to include his era in a total aggregate so just suffice to say, Joba thus far, has been the only one who has proved not to be overrated, and even he missed time due to tendinitis. 

Unfortunately it sounds like Joba is being bashed here but in the end the real complaint is directed at Hughes and Kennedy.

Johan Santana so far this year, albeit in another league, has 15 wins, 7 losses, and a 2.64 era.  Drastic contrast to what the two that were revered so highly did this year.  Tell Yankee fans they are untouchable now.

Overall why were these kids so highly touted, so heavily relied upon, so greatly over valued?  There really  isn't one solid answer to this issue.  It leads to the basis of the article.

There was no talk of a tuff 25 year old kid coming out of the Mexican league after his sixth season pitching there.  There was no talk of Alfredo Aceves this spring.  Funny thing is he has given more than two thirds of generation trey combined in only 26 innings.  That is if your considering his ability to maintain composure and keep the Yankees in the game. 

Alfredo Aceves, known by his friends as Paton, which means big feat (easy now ladies), started pitching in the Mexican League at 19.  He continued pitching there for six years.  This tells Yankee fans, even though he may be new to MLB he is no rookie on the mound.

He wears the number 91 as he idolizes Dennis Rodman of all people, for his ability to frustrate opponants on the court and the fact he feared no one.  He is a Bulls fan if that is relevant.

So far in one relief outing of 2 scoreless innings, one long relief of Darrell Rasner which saw Rasner complete 1.1 inning and Aceves threw 5, and 3 starts with the Yankees this year, Aceves has produced 1 win, 0 losses, with an era of 1.38.

Overall in the minors he combined for an 8-2 record with a 2.62 era.

Once in the majors, none of his outings, other than the one relief appearance, were less than 5 innings.  In none of those outings did he allow more than 2 runs.  Three of those outings were against first place teams within their own divisions.  The Rays, the Angels, and the White Sox.  Not bad considering what those teams are capable of doing to a pitcher.

Alfredo just sort of showed up.  The bullpen needed some depth.  Aceves was called up. Darrell Rasner was struggling.  Struggling so much that Girardi decided after only one relief appearance that Aceves was the man to fill his spot.  Forgoing possibly returning Kennedy or Hughes to the starting rotation.  What a statement that makes.

Upon taking the mound Aceves let his star shine bright.  He is a calm collected pitcher.  Similar to say Gojira in the fact that he could be pitching to the number nine batter or have the bases loaded around him.  Same demeanor, same approach.  He can and will throw any pitch in any count.  Yet has he shown any type of emotion or intimidation.  He seems cold and determined.  Focused not distracted or intimidated, he  doesn't have the weight of a world of expectations riding on his shoulders.  No ad campaigns, no publicity, just him and his job.  Rock and fire. 

When a pitcher faces the lineup being showcased down in Anaheim, you would expect some sort of weak knees or butterflies.  Not the case with Aceves.  He allowed the great Halos a generous helping of 7 innings pitched, 5 hits, and one earned run, with a L for them to take with them to boot. 

Aceves boasts a low 90's fastball, a curve ball, a change, as well as a cut fastball.  Not a bad bag of tricks for a starter.  This guy has been given a shot and one would imagine he may be quite the surprise given the expectations in March this year, or lack there of.

Tonight Yankee fans will get to see for sure what Alfredo is made of.  Tonight he leads the Yankees deep into hostile territory.  The Red Sox have already sealed the Yankees fate and the Fenway Faithful will be sure to let them know about it.  This will be a true test for a pitcher aspiring to make his name stick as a viable option for next year's rotation.  If he passes this test tonight, look for him to grace discussion for the rotation next year.

Imagine if he shuts down the BoSox.  He will force himself into the discussion.  A good showing tonight will cause eyebrows to raise, and his name will be remembered next spring.  It seems that should already be the case considering the reputation other inexperienced pitchers have built in less time with lesser results.

If you read enough about prospective moves for the Yankees this off-season, you will come across names of great baseball players.  You will hear, C.C. Sabathia, you will A.J. Burnett, a trade for Roy Halliday?  Even after his great start in the majors, which rivals if not overshadows anything Hughes or Kennedy did last year, no one is talking about Aceves as an option.  Maybe the Yanks should look right in their own lap.  It seems to this writer that something great may have just fallen into it.  This guy could make piecing together a rotation next year that much easier, and he is already a Yankee.