Spring training update

Spring training is in full swing and we're getting a good look at which prospects are ready and which ones need some more polishing. The biggest story line thus far has been the performances of the five pitchers vying for the fifth and final spot in the rotation. The two biggest names, and the two front runners, are Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes. Hughes has shown flashes of brilliance throwing nearly nine innings with an ERA just above 2.00. He had a great year in the bullpen last year but he has four solid pitches and has more control than Chamberlain, all of which point to him becoming a better starter in the long run.
Chamberlain on the other hand has struggled mightily. His ERA is somewhere around 27.00 and his fastball location isn't coming along as quickly as many had hoped. The fear is that Joba will not be able to fully translate his abilities into the starting rotation. The team has spent so much time and effort in converting him into a starter that their front office and coaching staff would look like fools if he couldn't rekindle his lightning in a bottle 2007 bullpen performance as a starting pitcher. Chamberlain's stuff was so much more electric when he came out of the bullpen that, in my opinion, he should never have been converted into a starter in the first place. He has between four and five mph difference in his fastball when he pitches as a starter than as a reliever. In the big leagues, 96-97 mph is much more formidable than 91-92 mph.
The other three pitchers in the mix for the fifth starting job are Aceves, Gaudin, and Mitre. Of the three, Aceves has been the most surprising this spring. He has pitched wonderfully in his spots and his 0.90 ERA proves that. However, I think his abilities translate better to a long relief/spot starter position because he can come into the game in various situations and can do what needs to be done. Mitre has been good but not great and Gaudin has shown some leftover rust from the offseason. Each pitcher will get at least one more chance to prove their case before the season begins. While nothing is set in stone as of yet, the likelihood is that Joba will return to the rotation, Hughes and Aceves will be in the bullpen, and either Gaudin or Mitre will join the bullpen while the other will be sent to the minors, traded, or released. In a couple weeks some of these questions will be answered while others might not be answered until sometime during the season. Keep checking in for further updates.