C&C Boys Leading Yankee Charge
When you're a young player on a team with names like Jeter, Rodriguez, Posada, Clemens, Pettitte, and Rivera, it's easy to get over-looked no matter how well you are playing. Well today, that all stops, as I'm going to praise the Yankees young dynamic-duo, Melky Cabrera and Robinson Cano. The play of these two "Baby Bombers" is one of the reasons the Yankees have gone 25 and 10 since July 1'st, and closing in on a playoff spot. Both of these players had a sizzling July and have continued the pace early on in August. Let's take a closer look.
In July, Robinson Cano hit .385 with a .420 on base percentage. The 24-year old second baseman hit six homers in the month while driving in 24 runs. So far in August, "Robbie" is continuing his torrid pace as he has gone 9-18 at the plate. This surge in hitting has brought Cano's season average up to .309. His homer total is now at 11, and his RBI production has climbed to 65. While being one of the hottest hitters in major league baseball in the last month, Robinson has also played a very steady second base.
For the second straight year, Cabrera has energized this Yankee team. Like Cano, Melky got off to a slow start this season, and just like his buddy, he's gotten very hot at the plate in the last month. In July, Cabrera hit a ******** .368 (39-for-106) and logged a .410 on base percentage. The 23-year old has continued his stellar hitting in August as he's gone 8-for-25 (.320) and now is just two points shy of hitting .300 for the season.
Besides making an impact at the plate, Melky has become a terrific defensive centerfielder for the "Bronx Bombers". Gone are the days where runners would go from first to third on a hit to center. Cabrera has a strong and accurate arm that has saved runs for Yankee pitchers. If you're a Yankee fan who watches all the games, you've got to smile when you now see runners putting on the breaks when they see Melky charging the ball in center.
Now while we are on the subject of young Yankees who are propelling the Yankees into playoff contention, we have to talk about the "Yankee reliever in waiting", Joba Chamberlain. Folks, I can't contain my excitement when talking about this guy. I'm excited for two reasons. First the Yankees have one weak point and that's their bullpen. Besides Mariano Rivera, they just don't have a "lights out", late inning man. Joba is an asset the Yankees can use to make themselves better. My second reason for being excited is Chamberlain's relief numbers in Scranton.
So far, the 21-year old Chamberlain has logged 8 innings in relief in AAA. In those eight innings, Joba has given up no runs on five hits. He has struck out 18-hitters while walking only one. I understand AAA is a lot different than toeing the mound at Yankee Stadium in a pennant race, but I feel the Yankees have a need, so why not give this guy a shot? In all of his minor league stops he has proven he can blow hitters away, now it's time to see him do it in the majors. If Chamberlain can pitch like this in the majors, he will be the most important pickup any team has made all season long. The need is so great, and if the Yankees fill it they are going to be a very tough team to beat down the stretch and in October.
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