From Baseball Prospectus' Top 10 Yankees Prospect, Jan 2007
 
1. Philip Hughes, rhp
DOB: 4/24/86
Height/Weight: 6-5/220
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted: 1st round, 2004, California HS
What he did in 2006: 1.80 ERA at High A (30-19-2-30), 2.25 ERA at AA (116-73-32-138)
The Good: The total package, making him the best pitching prospect in the game. His 92-96 mph fastball has good movement to go along with outstanding location, and his hard curveball gives him a second major-league-quality out pitch. His change-up is at least average, and has nice fade and deception. His size is ideal and his mechanics are nearly flawless.
 

Top Ten Arms - Frankie Piliere - Scout.com - March 12, 2006 at 10:33pm ET

There is a fairly large group of minor league pitchers that may throw as hard, if not harder and Phil Hughes, but there are few that can match his combination of power and command. Hughes, still months short of his 20th birthday, brings a fastball that sits between 93-95 MPH, topping out at 97 MPH with command that is far beyond his years. The former 1st round pick could fool many into believing he's a veteran simply by how effective he is in commanding his heater. And, the scary thing is, he only figures to get stronger.
 

Newsday, June 2006

"In the past he has always been able to blow guys away with his fastball, and now he's learning to pitch more," Trenton manager Bill Masse said.

Hughes' fastball is in the mid-90s, and he has been working on using his breaking ball and changeup more often.
 

Baseball Digest Daily, June 19, 2006

Hughes impressed the Yankees as well. He came to Florida and displayed his lethal arsenal of pitches ranging from a mid-90s fastball to his newest weapon, a hard breaking curve that he can now regularly throw for strikes. "I'm throwing my curve much better now with a few sliders thrown in,” says Hughes confidently. “I experimented with a few different grips until I found one I was comfortable with. It’s getting better and better everyday, and I’m just looking to improve on it." Locating pitches has never been a problem for Hughes whose pinpoint control is his trademark. In 169 innings professional innings, he has allowed just 38 walks while striking out 174.
 

MLB.com, Yankees Spring Training 2006, by Mark Feinsand

Philip Hughes certainly knew who Alex Rodriguez was when he started throwing batting practice on Thursday, but the reigning American League MVP had no idea who the kid standing on the mound was.

"I didn't know who he was," Rodriguez said. "I thought he was going to throw about 88 [mph], and he came at me with 95."
 

"He has the best arm in camp, no doubt about it. Better than all these guys," said Posada, pointing to a row of lockers which included Randy Johnson and Mariano Rivera. "I don't care how old he is. He's unbelievable. It's effortless the way the ball comes out of his hand at 95-96. He's that impressive. He's the best prospect we've got. It's fun to see."