Carlos Marmol (RP-CHC)- Marmol registered his twentieth save of the season in Friday afternoon's game against the Pirates to preserve the 7-4 win for the Cubs. He threw a shutout inning with out allowing a hit to lower his ERA to 3.72 while his FIP (4.01) and xFIP (4.60) increased. Owners should be pleased with his current ERA considering his walk rate of 7.63 BB/9. On a full list of closers Marmol would be my last choice, but he will continue to get save opportunities for the rest of this season and 2013. He is still under contract for 2013 at $9.3 million, and there the organization does not have any incentive to move him from the role. Even though his swinging strike rate has decreased to a career worst 8.9 percent, he should be a safe bet to record a strikeout rate greater than 10.00 K/9 next season with an ERA in the 3.75-4.00 range.
Jacob Turner (SP-MIA)- Turner delivered a strong outing against the Reds on Friday night throwing seven shutout innings in which he allowed only two hits and two walks. He did record three strikeouts while improving his record to 2-3 and lowering his ERA to 5.20. His velocity was not all that impressive in the outing, as his fastball only averaged just above 90 mph and he only recorded six swinging strikes during his seven innings (5.9 percent swinging strike rate). His control has been above average in his 36.1 innings this season, (2.48 BB/9), but the decrease in his strikeout rate throughout the year in both triple-A and the majors has me somewhat concerned about his immediate future. A 5.94 K/9 won't cut it, and he has gotten by in his few starts with a .229 BABIP. I would expect Turner to start the 2013 season in triple-A to prove that he can get his old strikeout numbers back again.
Domonic Brown (OF-PHI)- Brown went 1-for-4 with a walk, a strikeout, a home run and two RBI in the Phillies 12-6 win over the Astros last night. The home run was his third of the season, and he improved his line to .242/.333/.371 in 150 plate appearances. Brown has gotten a ton of playing time in right field since the departures of Shane Victorino and Hunter Pence, but he has looked like a below average option at this point for the 2013 season. He has improved his strikeout rate to a career best 15.3 percent, but his lack of power has still plagued him as he is hitting fewer fly balls this year (29.4 percent career rate). His .274 BABIP should be higher considering his 22.6 percent line drive rate, but Brown has done enough to persuade the Phillies to give him a starting job next season. His .124 ISO, .311 wOBA and 93 wRC+ are all below average.
Andrew Cashner (SP-SD)- The Rockies rocked Cashner around on Friday night in his second start since returning from the disabled list to earn his fourth loss of the season. He allowed six runs on ten hits (one home run) without a walk and striking out two in 3.2 innings of work. In his previous starts with the Padres before he went on the disabled list, Cashner was consistently 96-101 mph on the gun. However, since his return, he has consistently sat between 90-96 mph. That is still plenty enough to be a successful starter considering his strong change-up and slider, but it also skews his numbers slightly this year. Cashner has pitched better than his 4.37 ERA would indicate (3.56 FIP and 2.97 xFIP), producing a strikeout rate of 10.33 K/9 while his control has improved (3.77 BB/9). I assume the Padres will stick to him starting heading into 2013 where he can be an impact player next season considering his strikeout totals and ground ball rate (54.7 percent). However, injuries and his velocity ranges will continue to be a concern.
Andre Either (RF-LAD)- Either went 2-for-4 with two strikeouts, two runs scored, a home run and two RBI to lead the Dodgers to an 8-5 win over the Cardinals. The home run was his 18th of the season, and he improved his line to .289/.357/.470. Despite improving his HR/FB ratio to 14.3 percent (second best of his career), Either might not reach the 20 home run plateau again because his fly ball rate at 32 percent once again this year. However, he is a known entity at this point in his career and will likely produce 17-21 home runs with a .290/.360/.470 type of line with 85-100 RBI if he remains healthy next year. His batted ball data looks almost identical to his 2011 data, except for his HR/FB ratio. If he is likely to see a decline in his average it will most likely to come from an increased strikeout rate. Either has produced a career worst rate this season (19.9 percent), and his swinging strike rate has increased in every season by at least one percent to 10.8 percent this year.
