To commemorate Carlos Marmol’s 100th strike-out this season, I’ve decided to highlight one of the few bright spots in amid an awful season for the franchise. Marmol, in his first full season as the team’s closer has certainly showed why he should be among the game’s elite relievers.
Carlos Marmol’s 2010 campaign will be highlighted as a massive step forward in his career, as he eclipsed both the aforementioned 100 strike-out mark, as well as the 2 WAR mark for the first time in his young career.
By far, the most frustrating aspect about Marmol’s game has been his inability to ...
With the 16th overall pick in the 2010 MLB Amateur Draft, the Cubs selected Hayden Simpson, a right-handed pitcher out of the University of Southern Arkansas. The former "Mulerider" posted a 13-1 record in 15 starts to accompany a 1.81 ERA. He also threw an astounding 131 strikeouts in 99 1/3 innings while walking only 35. Simpson stands as a physically unimposing presence on the mound at 6'0", 170 lbs, but he throws with good velocity and solid mechanics. His delivery is fairly simple with a smooth high leg kick, explaining the similarities to Roy Oswalt that Cubs' ...
Over the past several years Carlos Zambrano has been the keystone to the Cubs starting rotation, leading the group as the ace since the days of Mark Prior and Kerry Wood. The fact of the matter is that Zambrano hasn't posted an ERA under 3.50 since 2007, and for a "power pitcher," he has only exceeded 200 strikeouts twice in his seven year tenure as a starting pitcher. Zambrano has always dazzled fans with both his electric fastball and temper, but the fastball that reached the mid-90s and posted positive win values each year of his career ...
Top Pitching Prospect Andrew Cashner was called up recently, and I was alarmed on how little was being written of him within the Chicago Cubs blogosphere. This has most to do with his performance, being neither good nor bad, since he only threw one pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 31 Cashner came into the game in the eighth inning, relieving 'super-stud' Sean Marshall, who had given up a run on a Bobby Crosby single. Cashner came into the game with the tides shifted in Pittsburgh's favor, and only 16.1% chance of winning. With the leverage index ...
Ryan Theriot has compiled 54 hits ranking him second among National League hitters and representing a great start to the season at the plate. This has led to a decent .307 batting average. What is somewhat concerning is his lack of extra base hits. Of his 54 hits, only five are of the extra base variety. His Isolated Power Index (ISO) has him sitting at .034, worst in the N.L., and second worst in the majors behind (cough) Juan Pierre. Expecting Theriot to match his career high 7 homers from last season is a bit too much to ask, ...
Marlon Byrd has been essentially carrying the Chicago Cubs, sporting a .340 average to go along with his .951 OPS. His 51 hits are second to only Martin Prado in the National League. A glaring issue with Byrd's season thus far is his shockingly low walk rate. He has walked only three times, good enough for the worst walk rate in the majors (1.9 percent). Byrd has never been mistaken for a walk machine, but he would set a career low at this pace. Of course, Byrd's walk rate is acceptable so long as he continues his hit ...
Since Carlos Marmol was moved to full-time closer duties, a big question was not how Marmol would perform in the new role, but who would replace him as the set-up man or relief ace role.Sean Marshall has answered all those questions, dominating opposing offenses as a full-time reliever this year.Marshall currently sports a sparkling 2.70 ERA in 18 relief appearances, which doesn't show how truly awesome he is pitching, as his Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) is sitting at 1.29.He is striking batters out at a ridiculous 11.34 K/9 clip, and he is hardly walking anyone, leading to an otherworldly 7.00 ...
When you look at Randy Wells' stat line, nothing really jumps out at you. He currently sports a poor 4.86 ERA, and an even worse 1.50 WHIP.Those numbers are frightening to any Cub fan (and furthermore, any prospective fantasy owner), but there is evidence that Wells is having a better year than his rookie season, and quite simply is really, really unlucky.For starters, Wells is striking out batters at a clip nearly two batters per nine (7.56) more than last year (5.66). He is walking less batters, and is producing ground balls even better than last year. The combination of ...
Starlin Castro, the current Cubs narwhal , has become the subject of much cyber man-love due to his breakout performance, but is he really the Cubs' next savior, or will he be Corey Patterson circa 2010? Certainly enough, Cubs fans are already putting too much pressure on the top prospect.
Castro made the (questionable) jump from Double-A to the big leagues, and while he showed excellent bat skills, his eye came into question. Let's look at some of his plate discipline numbers so far. Castro has yet to earn a walk, so far, but that is certainly not ...
You look at the Cubs' record, and you can't help but grimace. Their record, 14-17, is right in line with their Pythagorean Record, 15-16. The Cubs struggle somewhat in one-run games, going 3-6 in such contests. The Cubs struggle mightily on the road, going 7-11 on road games, as opposed to 7-6 at Wrigley. Let's gander at their pitching. The Cubs are actually pitching very well. They are first in the league in strike-outs per walk, and boast the best Contact Percentage. The starting pitching has preserved the bullpen well, limiting the relievers to the fourth ...
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