小琪的文字坊和歐美偶像專區

11/26/08 2:51 PM EST

With Yanks pursuing free agents, righty showing he can start
By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com

NEW YORK -- The Yankees' offseason pursuit of starting pitching may create a situation where Phil Hughes begins his season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, rather than being present for the opening of the new Yankee Stadium.
But whether or not the Yankees are able to land their top free-agent choices, a respectable Arizona Fall League campaign can only help Hughes' chances of sticking in New York. Pitching for the Peoria Javelinas, Hughes did not allow more than two earned runs in six of his seven starts in Arizona, which he hopes will set the tone for future success after an injury-marred 2008.

"I'm going to take the same attitude I take every year, but obviously the Yankees are going to make moves to put the best team out there they can," Hughes said.

"I'll go into Spring Training in the best possible shape, ready to make the team. I'll keep working hard and doing what I need to do. That's been my philosophy since I was 19. Nothing's going to change for me."

Hughes' performance sent some positive notes to New York, where the club is monitoring his progress. He was clocked around 95 mph in some starts, striking out 38 and walking 13 in 30 innings. In his final start on Nov. 19, Hughes beat the Scottsdale Scorpions, striking out 10 in five innings of shutout, two-hit ball.

Manager Joe Girardi was encouraged, saying that he believes Hughes will eventually be a Major League pitcher for the Yankees. Girardi said that there are situations where Hughes could open the year in New York, but it would depend on how successful the Hot Stove season is.

"Obviously, you look at what you're able to acquire," Girardi said. "Maybe you don't acquire the three starters like you think you are, and there's a possibility that he could be in our rotation. The first thing that's important for him is to stay healthy and the next thing is fastball command.

"Then you build off of that. You would hope that he learned a lot from this year. I know it was a very frustrating year for him and for us as well. At this point, you can't rule out anyone being a starter, because there's spots open."

Here is a look at how the other Yankees prospects are doing in the fall/winter leagues:

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