Joba Chamberlain
- Thread starter BIGREDFAN_in_OMAHA
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BIGREDFAN_in_OMAHA
All-American
BIGREDFAN_in_OMAHA
All-American
Pitcher of the week May 21 to May 27 in his league:
Florida State League
Joba Chamberlain, Tampa
1-0, 1.29 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 14.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 16 SO
After the former Nebraska stud dominated the Hawaiian Winter League in 2006, experts touted Chamberlain as one of the league's top prospects. So far, it looks like they were right. On Tuesday, the young gun pitched a solid six innings, surrendering two runs on four hits while striking out seven and walking two in a 6-3 win over Jupiter. But that start proved to be just an appetizer to the main course he served against Vero Beach on Sunday. In eight innings of shutout work, Chamberlain struck out a season-high nine batters, yielding only two hits and a pair of walks and dropping his ERA to an astounding 1.61 through five starts.
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/ar...b&fext=.jsp
Florida State League
Joba Chamberlain, Tampa
1-0, 1.29 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 14.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 16 SO
After the former Nebraska stud dominated the Hawaiian Winter League in 2006, experts touted Chamberlain as one of the league's top prospects. So far, it looks like they were right. On Tuesday, the young gun pitched a solid six innings, surrendering two runs on four hits while striking out seven and walking two in a 6-3 win over Jupiter. But that start proved to be just an appetizer to the main course he served against Vero Beach on Sunday. In eight innings of shutout work, Chamberlain struck out a season-high nine batters, yielding only two hits and a pair of walks and dropping his ERA to an astounding 1.61 through five starts.
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/ar...b&fext=.jsp
Drowning_in_the_Sea_of_Red
All-American
Keep it up Joba! :thumbs (even though you are a Yankee <_< )
BIGREDFAN_in_OMAHA
All-American
He got promoted to AA and still pitching extremely well after two games.
1-0, 0.82 ERA, 17 Ks, and only 3BB.
1-0, 0.82 ERA, 17 Ks, and only 3BB.
BIGREDFAN_in_OMAHA
All-American
Eastern league pitcher of the week for week ending June 17:
Eastern League
Joba Chamberlain, Trenton
2-0, 0.82 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 11.0 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 17 SO
Joba Chamberlain proved why the he's on top of the Yankees prospect list last week. Making his first two starts in Double-A after being called up from Tampa, Chamberlain dazzled and blew away more experienced hitters. The former Nebraska Cornhusker had 17 strikeouts in just 11 innings of work. His best outing came on June 12 when he pitched five innings without allowing a run. The husky righty fanned eight and scattered three hits.
Eastern League
Joba Chamberlain, Trenton
2-0, 0.82 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 11.0 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 17 SO
Joba Chamberlain proved why the he's on top of the Yankees prospect list last week. Making his first two starts in Double-A after being called up from Tampa, Chamberlain dazzled and blew away more experienced hitters. The former Nebraska Cornhusker had 17 strikeouts in just 11 innings of work. His best outing came on June 12 when he pitched five innings without allowing a run. The husky righty fanned eight and scattered three hits.
BIGREDFAN_in_OMAHA
All-American
Named to the All Star Futures Game roster for the U.S. team.
http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/ev...07&sid=milb
http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/ev...07&sid=milb
BIGREDFAN_in_OMAHA
All-American
Summary on Chamberlain for the Futures Game:
Joba Chamberlain, Trenton Thunder (Double-A, Yankees)
Chamberlain's story is one of night and day. He didn't start pitching until his senior year of high school, and his 3-6 record and 5.23 ERA kept him off most scouts' radar.
After a freshman campaign with Division II Nebraska-Kearney, the right-hander transferred to Nebraska, had knee surgery and lost 25 pounds. In two years at Nebraska he compiled a 16-7 record and 232 strikeouts -- and this time he had the scouts' attention.
When the Yankees selected Chamberlain as a first-round supplemental pick in the 2006 Draft (No. 41 overall), he became the highest-drafted Native American ever. Chamberlain spent 2006 in the Hawaii Winter Baseball League and was named the top prospect at the conclusion of the season.
The 21-year-old began 2007 with Class A Advanced Tampa but moved up quickly to Double-A Trenton. His combined record in 11 starts this season stands at 6-1, with a 2.48 ERA and 87 strikeouts. Chamberlain's go-to pitch is his fastball, which has been clocked between 94 and 97 mph.
With three dangerous secondary pitches -- slider, curve and change -- Chamberlain is becoming increasingly difficult for hitters to solve.
link
Joba Chamberlain, Trenton Thunder (Double-A, Yankees)
Chamberlain's story is one of night and day. He didn't start pitching until his senior year of high school, and his 3-6 record and 5.23 ERA kept him off most scouts' radar.
After a freshman campaign with Division II Nebraska-Kearney, the right-hander transferred to Nebraska, had knee surgery and lost 25 pounds. In two years at Nebraska he compiled a 16-7 record and 232 strikeouts -- and this time he had the scouts' attention.
When the Yankees selected Chamberlain as a first-round supplemental pick in the 2006 Draft (No. 41 overall), he became the highest-drafted Native American ever. Chamberlain spent 2006 in the Hawaii Winter Baseball League and was named the top prospect at the conclusion of the season.
The 21-year-old began 2007 with Class A Advanced Tampa but moved up quickly to Double-A Trenton. His combined record in 11 starts this season stands at 6-1, with a 2.48 ERA and 87 strikeouts. Chamberlain's go-to pitch is his fastball, which has been clocked between 94 and 97 mph.
With three dangerous secondary pitches -- slider, curve and change -- Chamberlain is becoming increasingly difficult for hitters to solve.
link
Husker_Power
Starter
excellent!! thats what i wanna hear, represent for the skers
GBR
GBR
BIGREDFAN_in_OMAHA
All-American
Promoted to AAA this morning.
BIGREDFAN_in_OMAHA
All-American
Chamberlain dazzles in Triple-A debut
Right-hander fans 10 in five scoreless frames for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
By Caleb Pardick / Special to MLB.com
Joba Chamberlain ranks in the top 10 in the Minors with 125 strikeouts in only 15 starts. (John Todd/MLB.com)
Joba Chamberlain struck out 10 over five scoreless innings to win his Triple-A debut as Scranton/Wilkes-Barre defeated visiting Louisville, 6-3, on Wednesday.
Chamberlain (1-0), the 41st overall selection in the 2006 draft, scattered four hits and a walk. The 21-year-old right-hander pitched out of a jam in the opening frame, fanning two batters to strand runners at second and third.
"To be under pressure in the first inning kind of set the tone for me to know that I would be all right," said Chamberlain, who was promoted from Double-A Trenton on Tuesday. "(Pitching at the Triple-A level) didn't feel any different, and that was a little surprising coming in."
The University of Nebraska product started the season in the Florida State League, where he was 4-0 with a 2.03 ERA and 51 strikeouts in seven starts. At Trenton, he went 4-2 with a 3.43 ERA and 64 strikeouts in seven starts.
Jim Brower gave up two hits over two scoreless frames to notch his 20th save.
Angel Chavez smacked a two-run double in the fifth and Eric Duncan reached base four times with a double and three walks for the Yankees (58-43), who've won 12 of their last 14 games.
Jay Bruce belted a three-run homer, his fourth, in the sixth for the Bats (50-53), who've dropped 11 of 13. Jesse Gutierrez, Joey Votto and Aaron Herr collected two hits apiece.
Louisville starter Richie Gardner (2-4) yielded four runs on nine hits and two walks with one strikeout in five frames.
Caleb Pardick is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.
milb
Right-hander fans 10 in five scoreless frames for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
By Caleb Pardick / Special to MLB.com
Joba Chamberlain ranks in the top 10 in the Minors with 125 strikeouts in only 15 starts. (John Todd/MLB.com)
Joba Chamberlain struck out 10 over five scoreless innings to win his Triple-A debut as Scranton/Wilkes-Barre defeated visiting Louisville, 6-3, on Wednesday.
Chamberlain (1-0), the 41st overall selection in the 2006 draft, scattered four hits and a walk. The 21-year-old right-hander pitched out of a jam in the opening frame, fanning two batters to strand runners at second and third.
"To be under pressure in the first inning kind of set the tone for me to know that I would be all right," said Chamberlain, who was promoted from Double-A Trenton on Tuesday. "(Pitching at the Triple-A level) didn't feel any different, and that was a little surprising coming in."
The University of Nebraska product started the season in the Florida State League, where he was 4-0 with a 2.03 ERA and 51 strikeouts in seven starts. At Trenton, he went 4-2 with a 3.43 ERA and 64 strikeouts in seven starts.
Jim Brower gave up two hits over two scoreless frames to notch his 20th save.
Angel Chavez smacked a two-run double in the fifth and Eric Duncan reached base four times with a double and three walks for the Yankees (58-43), who've won 12 of their last 14 games.
Jay Bruce belted a three-run homer, his fourth, in the sixth for the Bats (50-53), who've dropped 11 of 13. Jesse Gutierrez, Joey Votto and Aaron Herr collected two hits apiece.
Louisville starter Richie Gardner (2-4) yielded four runs on nine hits and two walks with one strikeout in five frames.
Caleb Pardick is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.
milb
BIGREDFAN_in_OMAHA
All-American
Yankees willing to gamble on young arms
By Bob Klapisch
Special to ESPN.com
(Archive)
Updated: August 7, 2007
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The path to the postseason is clear and unfettered, say the Yankees, who've made it obvious how they intend to get there: It's that nuclear offense, which is leading the American League in virtually every category. Fresh off a seven-game outburst against the White Sox and Royals, the Bombers scored 74 runs with no letup in sight.
But that's not to say the Yankees have abandoned what used to be an organizational badge of honor: the starting rotation. The addition of rookie Phil Hughes, along with the expected promotion of Triple-A right-hander Joba Chamberlain, suggests the Bombers not only still value pitching, but are willing to gamble on talented, if not inexperienced, kids down the stretch.
"Things have changed the last couple of years; you can tell by the way we've drafted and how we've got a lot of great arms now," Hughes said over the weekend. "It's only a matter of time before that talent starts knocking on the door."
Jim McIsaac/Getty Images
In his first start last Saturday since returning from the disabled list, Phil Hughes allowed six runs in 4 2/3 innings to the Royals.
The metamorphosis has already begun. After a long stint on the disabled list, Hughes replaced Kei Igawa as the No. 5 starter, getting a no-decision in the Yankees' 16-8 thrashing of the Royals on Saturday. A day later, the Bombers designated lefty reliever Mike Myers for assignment, thus creating a roster spot for Jim Brower, a righty reliever with a 1.65 ERA at Triple-A Scranton. Any day now, Chamberlain, the hardest thrower in the Yankees' system, will be summoned, too. He started the season at Class A Tampa, and has been succeeding at every level, including Triple-A, where he struck out five of the six batters he faced Saturday night.
"He can definitely light up the radar gun," is how GM Brian Cashman dryly put it. With a 98-mph fastball (and a 90-mph slider) Chamberlain has a pitching DNA to die for, although no one's saying just where and when he'll return to his natural role as a starter. For now, the bullpen is the Yankees' weakest link -- their 15 blown saves are the most in the East, and nearly four times that of the Red Sox, who stand six games ahead in the division race -- which means the 21-year-old Chamberlain will likely remain where he's most needed: in the seventh and eighth innings.
The fact that Myers was exiled after faltering against the Royals on Sunday, forcing Mariano Rivera to produce a four-out save, reveals just how seriously the front office regards the absence of a reliable set-up man. Kyle Farnsworth has been an unmitigated failure despite his 97-mph fastball, having already publicly quarreled with Joe Torre, Roger Clemens and most recently Jorge Posada. Farnsworth is averaging almost five walks per nine innings, and is being booed by Yankee Stadium crowds before he even sets foot on the mound.
Of course, the Yankees could've gone outside the organization for help. They were talking to the Rangers about Eric Gagne -- until they were told any such swap would have to include either Melky Cabrera or Ian Kennedy, the 22-year-old righty who was the Yankees' No. 1 pick in the 2006 draft. Cashman flatly said no.
"I wasn't going to pay the freight for a 20-inning pitcher and then have him [leave via free agency]," Cashman said. "Obviously, you want experienced people, but the price tag made it impossible."
Cashman believes the Hughes-Chamberlain (and now even Brower) experiments aren't quite the gambles they appear to be.
Chamberlain
"We've had success in the past with young players in our organization," Cashman said. "Look at [Robinson] Cano, and [Chien-Ming] Wang and Cabrera."
Yet none of them arrived in the Bronx with nearly as much expectation as, say, Hughes, who's been called a young John Smoltz, or Chamberlain, who's struck out 135 batters in 88.1 innings so far.
Cashman insists "these kids aren't here to be saviors." But with the exception of Wang, the rest of the rotation is either old (Clemens is 44, Mike Mussina is 38, Andy Pettitte is 35) and expensive, or just hopelessly ineffective (Igawa and his 6.79 ERA may never be heard from again). Simply waiting for Hughes to heal from a hamstring injury, incurred during a budding no-hitter against the Rangers on May 1, might've been the Yankees' wisest decision at the trading deadline.
However, the question is: Can Hughes duplicate his early-season greatness as the Yankees begin to lean on him? The rookie will be on the mound Friday night in the opener of a critical series against the Indians, one of the teams the Yanks are battling for the wild card. So the Yankees are about to gauge Hughes' tolerance for pressure. Hughes proved he still has blow-away stuff in the wake of his injuries (he struck out four of the first seven Royals he faced Saturday). But he overdosed on adrenaline later in the game, lasting only 4 2/3 innings while allowing six runs on seven hits.
Hughes smiled and said, "I hope people don't think I'm going to throw a no-hitter every time, because obviously that's not going to happen."
But with only 50 games left, the Yankees need to know if Hughes will be ready for those late-September showdowns, when the opponents will be fiercer (and more talented) than the already-dead Royals.
It's a lot to ask of a 21-year-old, although Cashman hasn't wavered in his belief that passing on Gagne, or Jeff Conine and Sammy Sosa, both of whom were available at the 11th hour, was no mistake. That might've been the biggest gamble of all for a general manager who's already been told by George Steinbrenner that he's on "a big hook."
"We're in this thing to win it. I'm being paid to do a job," Cashman said. "Not protect it."
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By Bob Klapisch
Special to ESPN.com
(Archive)
Updated: August 7, 2007
Comment
The path to the postseason is clear and unfettered, say the Yankees, who've made it obvious how they intend to get there: It's that nuclear offense, which is leading the American League in virtually every category. Fresh off a seven-game outburst against the White Sox and Royals, the Bombers scored 74 runs with no letup in sight.
But that's not to say the Yankees have abandoned what used to be an organizational badge of honor: the starting rotation. The addition of rookie Phil Hughes, along with the expected promotion of Triple-A right-hander Joba Chamberlain, suggests the Bombers not only still value pitching, but are willing to gamble on talented, if not inexperienced, kids down the stretch.
"Things have changed the last couple of years; you can tell by the way we've drafted and how we've got a lot of great arms now," Hughes said over the weekend. "It's only a matter of time before that talent starts knocking on the door."
Jim McIsaac/Getty Images
In his first start last Saturday since returning from the disabled list, Phil Hughes allowed six runs in 4 2/3 innings to the Royals.
The metamorphosis has already begun. After a long stint on the disabled list, Hughes replaced Kei Igawa as the No. 5 starter, getting a no-decision in the Yankees' 16-8 thrashing of the Royals on Saturday. A day later, the Bombers designated lefty reliever Mike Myers for assignment, thus creating a roster spot for Jim Brower, a righty reliever with a 1.65 ERA at Triple-A Scranton. Any day now, Chamberlain, the hardest thrower in the Yankees' system, will be summoned, too. He started the season at Class A Tampa, and has been succeeding at every level, including Triple-A, where he struck out five of the six batters he faced Saturday night.
"He can definitely light up the radar gun," is how GM Brian Cashman dryly put it. With a 98-mph fastball (and a 90-mph slider) Chamberlain has a pitching DNA to die for, although no one's saying just where and when he'll return to his natural role as a starter. For now, the bullpen is the Yankees' weakest link -- their 15 blown saves are the most in the East, and nearly four times that of the Red Sox, who stand six games ahead in the division race -- which means the 21-year-old Chamberlain will likely remain where he's most needed: in the seventh and eighth innings.
The fact that Myers was exiled after faltering against the Royals on Sunday, forcing Mariano Rivera to produce a four-out save, reveals just how seriously the front office regards the absence of a reliable set-up man. Kyle Farnsworth has been an unmitigated failure despite his 97-mph fastball, having already publicly quarreled with Joe Torre, Roger Clemens and most recently Jorge Posada. Farnsworth is averaging almost five walks per nine innings, and is being booed by Yankee Stadium crowds before he even sets foot on the mound.
Of course, the Yankees could've gone outside the organization for help. They were talking to the Rangers about Eric Gagne -- until they were told any such swap would have to include either Melky Cabrera or Ian Kennedy, the 22-year-old righty who was the Yankees' No. 1 pick in the 2006 draft. Cashman flatly said no.
"I wasn't going to pay the freight for a 20-inning pitcher and then have him [leave via free agency]," Cashman said. "Obviously, you want experienced people, but the price tag made it impossible."
Cashman believes the Hughes-Chamberlain (and now even Brower) experiments aren't quite the gambles they appear to be.
Chamberlain
"We've had success in the past with young players in our organization," Cashman said. "Look at [Robinson] Cano, and [Chien-Ming] Wang and Cabrera."
Yet none of them arrived in the Bronx with nearly as much expectation as, say, Hughes, who's been called a young John Smoltz, or Chamberlain, who's struck out 135 batters in 88.1 innings so far.
Cashman insists "these kids aren't here to be saviors." But with the exception of Wang, the rest of the rotation is either old (Clemens is 44, Mike Mussina is 38, Andy Pettitte is 35) and expensive, or just hopelessly ineffective (Igawa and his 6.79 ERA may never be heard from again). Simply waiting for Hughes to heal from a hamstring injury, incurred during a budding no-hitter against the Rangers on May 1, might've been the Yankees' wisest decision at the trading deadline.
However, the question is: Can Hughes duplicate his early-season greatness as the Yankees begin to lean on him? The rookie will be on the mound Friday night in the opener of a critical series against the Indians, one of the teams the Yanks are battling for the wild card. So the Yankees are about to gauge Hughes' tolerance for pressure. Hughes proved he still has blow-away stuff in the wake of his injuries (he struck out four of the first seven Royals he faced Saturday). But he overdosed on adrenaline later in the game, lasting only 4 2/3 innings while allowing six runs on seven hits.
Hughes smiled and said, "I hope people don't think I'm going to throw a no-hitter every time, because obviously that's not going to happen."
But with only 50 games left, the Yankees need to know if Hughes will be ready for those late-September showdowns, when the opponents will be fiercer (and more talented) than the already-dead Royals.
It's a lot to ask of a 21-year-old, although Cashman hasn't wavered in his belief that passing on Gagne, or Jeff Conine and Sammy Sosa, both of whom were available at the 11th hour, was no mistake. That might've been the biggest gamble of all for a general manager who's already been told by George Steinbrenner that he's on "a big hook."
"We're in this thing to win it. I'm being paid to do a job," Cashman said. "Not protect it."
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BIGREDFAN_in_OMAHA
All-American
08/07/2007 9:40 PM ET
Yankees call up Chamberlain
Prized prospect pitches two innings in big-league debut
By Gregor Chisholm / MLB.com
Joba Chamberlain struck out two Blue Jays in his Major League debut. (Dave Sandford/Getty Images)
TORONTO -- What a year it's been for 21-year-old Joba Chamberlain.
Last June, Chamberlain became the highest-drafted Native American player in baseball history when the Yankees took the right-hander with the 41st overall selection in the 2006 First-Year Player Draft. Two months later, Chamberlain made his professional debut with the West Oahu Cane Fires in the Hawaiian Winter League.
On Tuesday, the Yankees purchased the contract of their prized prospect from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and expect him to become a key component of their revamped bullpen.
That means that in just more than one year, Chamberlain progressed through every level of New York's Minor League system and finds himself on the active roster of one of the most revered franchises in professional sports.
"I'm ready to explode," Chamberlain said. "I'm ready to get out there and play catch. Put [the uniform] on and go to work. That's what we're all here for, and that's what we work so hard for. I can't wait for the opportunity to get on the mound and finally let it go."
Entering this season, Baseball America ranked Chamberlain as the Yankees' fourth-best prospect, but no one could have foreseen just how quickly the young right-hander would rise to the Major Leagues. But that's what will happen when anyone compiles a 9-2 record with a 2.45 ERA while striking out 135 batters in 88 1/3 innings.
Yankees roving pitching coordinator Nardi Contreras said he first got the impression that Chamberlain might rise through the ranks quickly when he saw him open the season with Class A Advanced Tampa.
"He's like a man among boys when it comes to his stuff and being able to do the things that he's capable of doing, and does," Contreras said.
Chamberlain's impressive Minor League numbers, and his quick rise to the top, means that a lot will be expected of him now that he's in pinstripes. Making things even tougher on the young fireballer is that until last week, he spent his entire career as a starting pitcher.
Yankees manager Joe Torre said his club will be closely monitoring Chamberlain's arm strength. At least for now, the righty will be brought in only to start an inning and he's not expected to pitch on back-to-back days. That doesn't mean there won't be a lot of pressure on the young hurler, though.
Torre is excited to see Chamberlain pitch, but he also wants everyone to remember how little experience he has under his belt.
"You've heard so many positive things about him," Torre said. "We just have to make sure that we understand how old he is, how much experience he has, and go accordingly from there."
In anticipation of a big-league callup, Chamberlain had a conversation with Jason Giambi on what it takes to get Major League hitters out while the Yankees slugger was rehabbing in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
"He's been around the game," Chamberlain said. "Young guy coming up, first time in this situation, for me to understand what [hitters] look for and how they recognize pitches is just going to make me better. [That] I can take it and use it in the game and understand how they recognize pitches is just going to make me better."
At the start of the season, who would have thought Chamberlain would be looking for that kind of advice? A lot has happened over the last 12 months.
"There are times where I wake up and have to realize where I'm at," Chamberlain said. "That's the great thing about it. Learning on the job is the best way to do it. I'm excited to be here and ready to go out there and do the best I can to help us win."
To make room for Chamberlain on the active roster, New York optioned right-hander Brian Bruney to Triple-A. Bruney was 2-1 with a 3.40 ERA in 42 1/3 innings out of the Yankees' bullpen.
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Yankees call up Chamberlain
Prized prospect pitches two innings in big-league debut
By Gregor Chisholm / MLB.com
Joba Chamberlain struck out two Blue Jays in his Major League debut. (Dave Sandford/Getty Images)
TORONTO -- What a year it's been for 21-year-old Joba Chamberlain.
Last June, Chamberlain became the highest-drafted Native American player in baseball history when the Yankees took the right-hander with the 41st overall selection in the 2006 First-Year Player Draft. Two months later, Chamberlain made his professional debut with the West Oahu Cane Fires in the Hawaiian Winter League.
On Tuesday, the Yankees purchased the contract of their prized prospect from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and expect him to become a key component of their revamped bullpen.
That means that in just more than one year, Chamberlain progressed through every level of New York's Minor League system and finds himself on the active roster of one of the most revered franchises in professional sports.
"I'm ready to explode," Chamberlain said. "I'm ready to get out there and play catch. Put [the uniform] on and go to work. That's what we're all here for, and that's what we work so hard for. I can't wait for the opportunity to get on the mound and finally let it go."
Entering this season, Baseball America ranked Chamberlain as the Yankees' fourth-best prospect, but no one could have foreseen just how quickly the young right-hander would rise to the Major Leagues. But that's what will happen when anyone compiles a 9-2 record with a 2.45 ERA while striking out 135 batters in 88 1/3 innings.
Yankees roving pitching coordinator Nardi Contreras said he first got the impression that Chamberlain might rise through the ranks quickly when he saw him open the season with Class A Advanced Tampa.
"He's like a man among boys when it comes to his stuff and being able to do the things that he's capable of doing, and does," Contreras said.
Chamberlain's impressive Minor League numbers, and his quick rise to the top, means that a lot will be expected of him now that he's in pinstripes. Making things even tougher on the young fireballer is that until last week, he spent his entire career as a starting pitcher.
Yankees manager Joe Torre said his club will be closely monitoring Chamberlain's arm strength. At least for now, the righty will be brought in only to start an inning and he's not expected to pitch on back-to-back days. That doesn't mean there won't be a lot of pressure on the young hurler, though.
Torre is excited to see Chamberlain pitch, but he also wants everyone to remember how little experience he has under his belt.
"You've heard so many positive things about him," Torre said. "We just have to make sure that we understand how old he is, how much experience he has, and go accordingly from there."
In anticipation of a big-league callup, Chamberlain had a conversation with Jason Giambi on what it takes to get Major League hitters out while the Yankees slugger was rehabbing in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
"He's been around the game," Chamberlain said. "Young guy coming up, first time in this situation, for me to understand what [hitters] look for and how they recognize pitches is just going to make me better. [That] I can take it and use it in the game and understand how they recognize pitches is just going to make me better."
At the start of the season, who would have thought Chamberlain would be looking for that kind of advice? A lot has happened over the last 12 months.
"There are times where I wake up and have to realize where I'm at," Chamberlain said. "That's the great thing about it. Learning on the job is the best way to do it. I'm excited to be here and ready to go out there and do the best I can to help us win."
To make room for Chamberlain on the active roster, New York optioned right-hander Brian Bruney to Triple-A. Bruney was 2-1 with a 3.40 ERA in 42 1/3 innings out of the Yankees' bullpen.
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BIGREDFAN_in_OMAHA
All-American
08/13/2007 7:45 PM ET
Notes: Chamberlain settles in
Rookie getting first real taste of life at Yankee Stadium
By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com
Joba Chamberlain has pitched four scoreless innings since joining the Yankees. (Frank Gunn/AP)
NEW YORK -- Joba Chamberlain's last trip to the Bronx was little more than an expanded facility tour, tempered by a realization that he'd soon be shuffled out and on his way.
Not this time. Thirteen days after dropping by Yankee Stadium to pick up a passport, Chamberlain has been invited to settle in, unpacking his belongings in a locker neighboring Roger Clemens'.
"Awesome," Chamberlain said. "It's just another part of everything that's going on. I'm just enjoying every second of it. ... This is a little better. I'm not leaving. I'll stay here and enjoy."
Chamberlain's journey to the Majors has been well-chronicled, dating from days cleaning restrooms for the city of Lincoln, Neb., before getting a chance pitching college ball for the Cornhuskers and finally shooting through the Yankees' system as a touted first-round selection.
The 21-year-old right-hander can begin a new chapter beginning Monday, wearing pinstripes and continuing his assimilation into the Yankees' late-inning picture.
Yankees manager Joe Torre said that Chamberlain -- who struck out four in two perfect innings on Friday at Cleveland -- has shown a solid personality and "the right mix" as he continues to adjust, but cautioned that the club must still take care of the prized youngster.
The Yankees plan to allow Chamberlain one day off for each inning pitched and do not intend to bring him in the middle of innings.
"He's really been fun to watch, but let's not get too excited," Torre said. "Once we get started counting on someone with that limited experience, it's just not fair to that person. It's tough to control your enthusiasm, only because of what he's shown us."
Chamberlain said that he feels his body has started to recover better between appearances, and that the training staff is garnering a clearer idea of how to help him train between appearances.
"I've worked my tail off to get to this point, but I have to realize that I have to keep working harder and harder to stay here," Chamberlain said. "It's one thing to get here, but I want to stay here."
Chamberlain said he is looking forward to having some time to explore New York City, something he hasn't yet had an opportunity to do (though he did once attend a Yankees home game from the stands).
"[i want to see] just the crazy amounts of people, because I'm not used to that," Chamberlain said. "It's going to be an experience. I might just sit there and watch all the people walk by for a while."
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Notes: Chamberlain settles in
Rookie getting first real taste of life at Yankee Stadium
By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com
Joba Chamberlain has pitched four scoreless innings since joining the Yankees. (Frank Gunn/AP)
NEW YORK -- Joba Chamberlain's last trip to the Bronx was little more than an expanded facility tour, tempered by a realization that he'd soon be shuffled out and on his way.
Not this time. Thirteen days after dropping by Yankee Stadium to pick up a passport, Chamberlain has been invited to settle in, unpacking his belongings in a locker neighboring Roger Clemens'.
"Awesome," Chamberlain said. "It's just another part of everything that's going on. I'm just enjoying every second of it. ... This is a little better. I'm not leaving. I'll stay here and enjoy."
Chamberlain's journey to the Majors has been well-chronicled, dating from days cleaning restrooms for the city of Lincoln, Neb., before getting a chance pitching college ball for the Cornhuskers and finally shooting through the Yankees' system as a touted first-round selection.
The 21-year-old right-hander can begin a new chapter beginning Monday, wearing pinstripes and continuing his assimilation into the Yankees' late-inning picture.
Yankees manager Joe Torre said that Chamberlain -- who struck out four in two perfect innings on Friday at Cleveland -- has shown a solid personality and "the right mix" as he continues to adjust, but cautioned that the club must still take care of the prized youngster.
The Yankees plan to allow Chamberlain one day off for each inning pitched and do not intend to bring him in the middle of innings.
"He's really been fun to watch, but let's not get too excited," Torre said. "Once we get started counting on someone with that limited experience, it's just not fair to that person. It's tough to control your enthusiasm, only because of what he's shown us."
Chamberlain said that he feels his body has started to recover better between appearances, and that the training staff is garnering a clearer idea of how to help him train between appearances.
"I've worked my tail off to get to this point, but I have to realize that I have to keep working harder and harder to stay here," Chamberlain said. "It's one thing to get here, but I want to stay here."
Chamberlain said he is looking forward to having some time to explore New York City, something he hasn't yet had an opportunity to do (though he did once attend a Yankees home game from the stands).
"[i want to see] just the crazy amounts of people, because I'm not used to that," Chamberlain said. "It's going to be an experience. I might just sit there and watch all the people walk by for a while."
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