|
Manning
The Bullpen
by Mike Ashmore
June 29, 2006 - Hunterdon County Democrat
Fans of the Trenton Thunder have had plenty of opportunities
to get to know 27-year-old southpaw reliever Charlie
Manning. After all, this is his fourth season with the
Thunder and fifth in Double-A overall.
But if he keeps
pitching the way he has been, the only opportunity fans will
be talking about will be the one he'll be getting in the
Bronx.
Manning is 6-0 with a 2.61 ERA in 22 appearances for
Trenton, with his win total tying him for fourth among all
Eastern League pitchers and his batting average against of
.177 leading all Thunder hurlers.
The Thunder temporarily lost Manning for two days in late
May, as he was called up to Triple-A Columbus for the third
consecutive season. But after just one appearance in which
he didn't allow an earned run, he was back in his familiar
stomping grounds of Waterfront Park.
Thunder manager Bill Masse has managed Manning both in
Single-A Tampa and with Trenton, and has nothing but praise
for his most reliable reliever.
"He's been very good," Masse said. "He's got
a real good cut fastball, and he's incorporated a two-seamer,
which he's always had, but this year he's throwing it for
strikes."
Manning, who as a starter won a championship with Norwich in
2002, has spent the past two seasons as a reliever after
being traded back to the Yankees from the Reds in June of
2004.
The knock on Manning has always been his velocity, with the
left-hander topping out in the mid 80's. And that plays a
large role in why Masse has used him out of the bullpen for
the past two years.
"He doesn't have a good changeup for a starter,"
Masse said. "When you're throwing 87-88 miles per hour,
you need something to keep you off the fastball. Arm
strength is not a real easy thing to find, but some guys
find their niche later on in life. He's still young enough
to where three years from now, he could be throwing
90."
While Masse has only used Manning as a reliever, former
Thunder manager Stump Merrill would also use him as a
starter, with 18 of his 49 appearances for Merrill coming as
a starter. But the Florida native insists he's learned to
love his new role.
"I love getting the chance to throw every day,
especially if I have a bad outing," Manning said.
"I can just get right back out there the next day and
redeem myself and not sit there for five days and think
about it. I like the adrenaline rush of hearing your name
get called and getting up and getting going."
After getting his ring with the Navigators in 2002,
Manning's next big accomplishment may only be a few days
away, as his numbers would seem to put him in prime
position for a spot on the Eastern League All-Star team.
"If I make it, great. If I don't, it's two days
off," Manning said with a laugh.
If the officials in charge of selecting the team make the
right decision, the only vacation Charlie Manning should
have planned for July 11th and 12th is a trip to Altoona,
Pa. to represent his team in the Double-A version of
the midsummer classic.
Thunder Notes: Three days short of his 20th birthday,
Thunder pitcher Phil Hughes was one of seven Eastern League
players named to the All-Star Futures Game. Hughes is the
ninth Thunder player in team history to be named to the
game, a showcase for top prospects around minor league
baseball. He's the first Thunder player to be named to the
game since current big leaguers Robinson Cano and Dioner
Navarro in 2004, and is the first to play for the American
team in the game. Hughes responded to the nomination by
carrying a no-hitter into the 8th inning against Connecticut
just two days later...Charleston outfielder Jose Tabata is
the only other Yankees prospect set to participate in the
game, which will be held in conjunction with the Major
League Baseball All-Star Game in Pittsburgh.
Around the EL: Phillies starter Randy Wolf was rocked
in his June 21st rehab start against Erie for Reading,
allowing six runs on six hits in just 3.2 innings of
work...In a surprising move, The B-Mets 22-year-old Mike
Pelfrey (3-1, 2.48) was not invited to the Futures Game, but
26-year-old teammate Matt Lindstrom (1-2, 3.18) was.
For more on Mike: MikeAshmore.com
|
