Sinker & Confidence Boosting Kennard

Over the past three seasons Jeff Kennard has had multiple stints with Trenton but unfortunately for him he has never been able to get over the double A mountain. But he hopes this trip to Trenton will be the building block for a career that ends at Yankee Stadium.

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“I love playing in Trenton, the fans are great. I’ve been working hard in Tampa over the past month to make an impression and hopefully get back there,” said reliever Jeff Kennard. “I think I finally learned how to become a more consistent pitcher night in and night out.”

The 2000 draft pick was promoted to Trenton on May 23rd to fill the roster spot of Charlie Manning who was promoted to Columbus on the same day, but was sent back down to Tampa on Saturday. Over the last three seasons Kennard has made 22 double-A appearances, compiling a 1-2 record with a 4.59 ERA.

He had a 3-0 record with a 1.52 ERA and didn’t allow an earned run over his last 15 and two-thirds innings prior to his call-up to Trenton.

“Jeff’s been here before but he hasn’t been able to get over the hump of pitching at this level. We’re hoping this time he can get over the hump and contribute for us,” said Thunder Manager Bill Masse before finding out Kennard was being sent down. “There’s no reason he shouldn’t have confidence. His stuff is good enough to get hitters out here and levels above.”

Kennard points to his improved arm slot and mechanics as a main reason for his great start in Tampa this season.

“I worked with the pitching coach in Tampa on developing a better arm slot when I deliver my pitches. I think just having the proper release point and mechanics has made a huge difference for me,” said Kennard.

Bill Masse, who has managed Kennard a few times over the last couple of seasons, sees increased confidence as a key to Kennard’s success in 2006.

“Confidence has always been an issue for Jeff in his past time here with us, but he has to realize that he has the stuff and the ability, he just has to trust it. If he does that he’ll be fine,” said Masse.

“I think every year I get more confident. I think it really helps that all the guys up here I’ve played with before and know," Kennard said. “It was tough my first time being up here because I was the young guy and I didn’t really know anybody and I think that is why I struggled with my confidence."

One of Kennard’s greatest values as a relief pitcher is his ability to get right-handed hitters out and force them to hit the ball on the ground with his newly developed sinker. Last season he held righties to a .171 batting average.

“The key to my success is working in my new sinker. Before I developed the sinker I only really had the fastball to use against the right-handed hitters, but now with the sinker, I can bust that pitch on their hands,” concluded Kennard.

Despite this bump in the road, being sent back down to Tampa after just a few days in Trenton, the future still looks bright for one of the least heralded relief pitchers in the Yankees system.

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