News
Jeff Marquez Rolling Along with Thunder
Kyle Galdeira
05/10/07
While the New York Yankees are hitting the ball and putting up runs left and right, a shaky pitching staff has the Bronx Bombers floundering.
But the Yankees' woes on the mound may work in the favor of Jeff Marquez, a member of the West Oahu CaneFires in the 2006 edition of the HWB League. The 22-year-old starter was elevated to the Yankees' double-A affiliate--the Trenton Thunder of the Eastern League--to begin the season, and has performed brilliantly.
In six starts for the Thunder, Marquez owns a 4-1 record in 36 innings. The righty holds an impressive 1.50 ERA and has struck out 24 batters compared to just seven walks. The Bellflower, Calif. native has baffled opposing hitters with a fastball and sinker combo, giving up 31 hits and a lone home run thus far.
If Marquez stays hot, he might be the next in a string of prospects called up to the Yankees to help patch holes in a rotation which has already featured 10 pitchers through 33 games. With hurlers Phil Hughes, Jeff Karstens, Carl Pavano, Humberto Sanchez and Jose Veras all on the disabled list, Marquez could be wearing Yankee pinstripes sooner than he--and the organization--had expected.
