Give The Kid Another Coat

What I said on Tuesday:

"Keep in mind, though, that both of them [ManBan and Betances] have yet to showcase the type of command they each showed the last time out on a consistent basis in their short time at the Triple-A level...

They [ManBan and Betances] both still need polish, they both still need to develop, and the best way to accomplish those things is to spend another full season at Triple-A."

What Chad at LoHud said yesterday after ManBan took it on the chin in yesterday's game:

"If previous starts have been a reminder of what he can become, today was a reminder that he’s still very young with inconsistent command. It’s nothing that can’t be sorted out, but there’s still some development to be done."

And that's why I said what I said.  Manny Banuelos is a stud prospect, no doubt about it.  But he is still not a stud pitcher and still not advanced enough in his pitching skill to be a stud on a consistent basis.  He still needs to develop that consistency and the best place for him to do that is in Triple-A where the pressure is off.  Give him another year to polish up his game, smooth out the rough edges, and he'll be much better prepared to handle the hype and expectations next year.

In the mean time, let the guys like David Phelps (2.2 IP, 5 K on Tuesday, 0 ER allowed this spring) and D.J. Mitchell (3 scoreless IP, 0 H, 4 K yesterday) who are bumping their heads against the glass ceiling of Triple-A be the backup rotation depth.  They names aren't as sexy as Banuelos, but with more experience and innings under their belts they are better prepared to step in and contribute at the Major League level this year.