Farm report: Andrew Brackman

This year began like 2009 for Andrew Brackman, not a good thing. But he overcame a slow start with Class A Tampa - a start caused in part by tendinitis in one of the fingers on his throwing hand - and earned a promotion June 25 to Double-A Trenton, where he has shined.

The 6-10 Brackman, 24, the Yankees' first-round pick (30th overall) in 2007, went 2-12 with a 5.91 ERA last season with low Class A Charleston. He started this year 0-2 with a 10.50 ERA in three starts for Tampa, then was 5-7 with a 3.01 ERA in 14 starts with Trenton.

The righthander got better down the stretch - when Trenton clinched a playoff spot - going 4-3 with a 2.29 ERA, 47 strikeouts and 19 walks in his last 10 games. He hardly has looked like the pitcher who last season led the Atlantic League in walks (76) and wild pitches (26). Saying Brackman took a step forward this season is a significant understatement.