Some views on Young and an all-star update

May 31, 2012 - 2:39 PM

Even though he's 6-foot-10, don't think Randy Johnson when you watch Chris Young. He doesn't overpower you. He beats you with guile. With six shutout innings in Thursday's 3-0 loss to Columbus, Young (left) sent the New York Mets a strong message he could be ready to go a year after shoulder surgery.

"If he feels good, I think he's ready for the big leagues," said Bisons manager Wally Backman. "Maybe he needs another start. If that's what he wants to try to sharpen up a couple things. We're basically going to leave that up to him and tell us how he feels."

"I'll do what's best for the New York Mets. We'll sit down and discuss it," Young said. "We're trying to win a championship there. That's most important. The team is off to a great start and obviously I want to be a part of it.

I feel good and given the results today I feel like I'm pretty close to being ready. We'll sitdown and talk and see what they feel is appropriate. If it's here, that''s great. If it's in New York, I'll be ready to help win a ballgame there."

Catcher Josh Thole said he felt the ball was coming out of Young's hand even better than early last year before his surgery so that's another good sign. An hour or so after the game, Thole and Elvin Ramirez were called up by the Mets. Struggling reliever Manny Acosta, meanwhile, has accepted his assignment to Buffalo.

Click below to hear audio from Young, Thole and Backman.

Chris Young

Josh Thole

Wally Backman

As for the Triple-A All-Star Game, the International League released the first set of ballot leaders in online voting for the game July 11 in Buffalo and Bisons pitcher Matt Harvey and shortstop Omar Quintanilla (currently in New York) are leading at their positions, while Matt Tuiasosopo is one of the top three outfielders. Josh Satin (1b), Valentino Pascucci (dh) and Fernando Cabrera (relief pitcher) are all third.

The overall IL vote leader is Columbus outfielder Matt LaPorta. The top pitcher is Toledo's Chris Bootcheck. Voting ends June 22.

---Mike Harrington
(www.twitter.com/bnharrington)

Chris Young photo: Sharon Cantillon/Buffalo News

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About Inside Pitch

Mike Harrington

Mike Harrington, a Canisius College graduate who began his career as a News reporter in 1987, has covered the Buffalo Bisons since 1992 and Major League Baseball since 1995. A member of the Baseball Writers Association of America, Harrington has reported on 15 World Series -- including every pitch of the Fall Classic this century -- and all three of the Bisons' championship runs in their modern era. He is a connoisseur of the famous Stadium Mustard at Cleveland's Progressive Field.

@BNHarrington | mharrington@buffnews.com

Amy Moritz

Amy Moritz, a native of Lockport, has covered the Bisons for The Buffalo News since 2002. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism/mass communication from St. Bonaventure University and a master’s degree in humanities from the University at Buffalo. An endurance athlete, she has completed several triathlons, half marathons and marathons.

@TBN_Moritz | amoritz@buffnews.com

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