Homer Among a Handful of Young Pitching
--Dexter Sports
2/25/08
Major League Baseball has seen a reflux of Young Pitching Lately that has great potential to become next generation Hall of Famers. Today, I will start a three part series highlighting the youngsters that could evolve our game. Lets take a look at the NL Central and AL Central.
Homer Bailey SP- Cincinnati Reds
Last Years splits- 9 Starts 4-2 5.76 ERA 28 K 28 BB
Don't let the Numbers fool you. A late call-up for the Reds, Homer Bailey only went 45 innings last year and faced the fierce lineup of the Cubs, Phillies, Angels, Indians and Arizona. Bailey will fight for a starting spot in 08, but will have to battle his biggest problem, his control. Though he sports a plus fastball and a beautiful curve, he has a hard time taking control of the plate. The numbers show the fact that over a long term season, he would walk as many as he struck out. Bailey will work hard in spring training and looks to take the fourth or fifth spot in the rotation. Bailey will fit well in a rotation of Aaron Harang, Bronson Arroyo, Josh Fogg and Jeremy Affeldt.
Yovani Gallardo SP- Milwaukee Brewers
20 Starts 9-5 3.67 ERA 101 K 37 BB
At the young age of 21, Gallardo proved to be more than just a prospect. With great control, as the numbers show, Gallardo can paint the corners extremely well for a young pitcher. His curve ball is his nastiest pitch, and can fool the best of hitters. Gallardo has great form as a youngster and his maturity on the field which has led to a lot of his success. Not to mention, he is a pretty good hitter for a pitcher. Gallardo will monitored carefully early in the year due to a knee Injury earlier this off-season. Look for him to have another great season as the Brewers push for their second straight above .500 season.
Matt Capps- Closer Pittsburgh Pirates
78 Appearances 2-4 2.28 ERA 18 SV
Capps is one of the two future closers in the NL Central that are young and still have time to develop. Capps saved 18 games for a lowly pirates team. His upside is tremendous and the Pirates are going to let that develop. He features a rising 97 mph heater and a nasty slide piece that can fool hitters with a lot of drop. Once the Pirate offense is solidified, Capps could be closing out 35-40 games a year.
Carlos Marmol- Relief Chicago Cubs
59 Appearances 5-1 1.43 ERA 1 SV 96K
Marmol had a turnaround season after a horrible 2006 season where his ERA skyrocketed above 6.00. Marmol, who converted to relief and possibly closer this year, after being a starter, has seen great sucess in short stints. All of his pitches have movement, which can be hard to pick up, but his nasty slider is what fools most hitters. His fastball will move inside on right handers, and often cuffs up sluggers. Marmol's future is bright, with a chance to become full time closer this season, with Ryan Dempster becoming a starter again. Look for similar if not better numbers from the youngster.
That concludes the NL Central. Didn't see a pitcher you think is a future gamer? Let me Know! Up Next ill break down the young pitching of the AL Central.
2/25/08
Major League Baseball has seen a reflux of Young Pitching Lately that has great potential to become next generation Hall of Famers. Today, I will start a three part series highlighting the youngsters that could evolve our game. Lets take a look at the NL Central and AL Central.
Homer Bailey SP- Cincinnati Reds
Last Years splits- 9 Starts 4-2 5.76 ERA 28 K 28 BB
Don't let the Numbers fool you. A late call-up for the Reds, Homer Bailey only went 45 innings last year and faced the fierce lineup of the Cubs, Phillies, Angels, Indians and Arizona. Bailey will fight for a starting spot in 08, but will have to battle his biggest problem, his control. Though he sports a plus fastball and a beautiful curve, he has a hard time taking control of the plate. The numbers show the fact that over a long term season, he would walk as many as he struck out. Bailey will work hard in spring training and looks to take the fourth or fifth spot in the rotation. Bailey will fit well in a rotation of Aaron Harang, Bronson Arroyo, Josh Fogg and Jeremy Affeldt.
Yovani Gallardo SP- Milwaukee Brewers
20 Starts 9-5 3.67 ERA 101 K 37 BB
At the young age of 21, Gallardo proved to be more than just a prospect. With great control, as the numbers show, Gallardo can paint the corners extremely well for a young pitcher. His curve ball is his nastiest pitch, and can fool the best of hitters. Gallardo has great form as a youngster and his maturity on the field which has led to a lot of his success. Not to mention, he is a pretty good hitter for a pitcher. Gallardo will monitored carefully early in the year due to a knee Injury earlier this off-season. Look for him to have another great season as the Brewers push for their second straight above .500 season.
Matt Capps- Closer Pittsburgh Pirates
78 Appearances 2-4 2.28 ERA 18 SV
Capps is one of the two future closers in the NL Central that are young and still have time to develop. Capps saved 18 games for a lowly pirates team. His upside is tremendous and the Pirates are going to let that develop. He features a rising 97 mph heater and a nasty slide piece that can fool hitters with a lot of drop. Once the Pirate offense is solidified, Capps could be closing out 35-40 games a year.
Carlos Marmol- Relief Chicago Cubs
59 Appearances 5-1 1.43 ERA 1 SV 96K
Marmol had a turnaround season after a horrible 2006 season where his ERA skyrocketed above 6.00. Marmol, who converted to relief and possibly closer this year, after being a starter, has seen great sucess in short stints. All of his pitches have movement, which can be hard to pick up, but his nasty slider is what fools most hitters. His fastball will move inside on right handers, and often cuffs up sluggers. Marmol's future is bright, with a chance to become full time closer this season, with Ryan Dempster becoming a starter again. Look for similar if not better numbers from the youngster.
That concludes the NL Central. Didn't see a pitcher you think is a future gamer? Let me Know! Up Next ill break down the young pitching of the AL Central.
