Marshall Should Get Consideration as 4th Starter
Left-handed pitcher Sean Marshall threw 4 no-hit innings against the Oakland A's in a split squad game today, combining with Angel Guzman (4 innings) and David Aardsma (1 inning) on a no-hitter through the first 9 innings of the game. Marshall has been a candidate for the 5th starter's job, not needed until April 15th, and then only until one of Mark Prior or Kerry Wood returns. But it is now time for Cubs management to consider whether Marshall should be the 4th starter, replacing Jerome Williams.
After today's game, Marshall has the following line this spring:
| IP | H | BB | K | ERA | WHIP | K/BB | |
| Sean Marshall | 10.33 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 0.00 | 0.87 | 1.5 |
Last year, Marshall had a 2.74 ERA in 69 innings in high-A ball and a 2.52 ERA in 25 innings in double-A.
Just two weeks ago, I wrote that Marshall likely had no chance to make the team out of spring training. Since then, Mark Prior has gone down, Marshall has thrown 8 more scoreless innings, and Jerome Williams has continued to throw underwhelming ball. Williams came into today having thrown 13 innings this spring with a 9.00 ERA, allowing 19 hits and 8 walks, while striking out just 1 batter. Williams got the start in the other split squad game today, against the Royals. Williams's line from that game is not available yet, but the Royals scored 3 runs in the first 4 innings.
Williams has one option year left, so the Cubs can send him to triple-A without consequences this year.
Both Marshall and Williams could yet make one more start this spring. If the Cubs are as serious about putting Marshall in the rotation as they should be, those last starts may determine who starts for the Cubs in the 4th starter's role in the home opening series against the St. Louis Cardinals.
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marshal much more consistent
marshal much more consistent than williams . . i would go with marshal and guzman combo instead of williams
Williams' line today was
5 innings, 3 runs on 5 hits and 1 walk, while striking out 1. He moved his spring ERA down to 8.00. (See box score.)
Meanwhile, Rich Hill finally showed some control, going 4 innings without allowing a walk, striking out 4.
My Only Concern
My only concern is that we haven't really seen Marshall pitch in trouble. Williams's stuff has never really impressed me that much: he has a pretty good sinker, decent change and four seem, and two rather mediochre breaking balls (both slider and curve). However, he does show a tremendous amount of poise on the mound, meaning he doesn't get too rattled in bases loaded situations. Since Marshall has not pitched with many men on base (barely out of the stretch), and we have also yet to see how he copes with giving up a run or two, I almost wish we could see him get into trouble during his next start to see his makeup (although I have read in scouting reports that he does show considerable poise.)
Marshall's upside:
1. **Excellent** sinker (he reminds me of Mark Mulder when he is most effective)
2. both his sweeping curve and straight change are also plus pitches. 3. Most of all, excellent control. Although he walked four against the As, they were all on full counts (that I can remember) and I felt the zone was rather tight. He was around the zone all game long.
4. He also has a decent cutter, which of course will help him tremendously against righties.
Marshall's (possible) downside:
1. He has had several injury problems in the past (including a recurring problem on his finger). I don't believe he's ever thrown more than 120 innings in a season.
2. As sharp as he looks, I still believe he is not completely developed. From what I've read, he's been tinkering with a slider, and also used to throw a plus splitter (which I think has been hampered by his finger injury). Now, I've never played pro ball, so I obviously don't know how much development players receive once they reach the show, but I'm sure Marshall would benefit from a little more time in the minors to work on these things. With his curve, I'm not certain a slider is necessary, but a good splitter would sure help him a lot against righties.
3. With his 6'7'' frame, he should be able to put another 10-15 pounds of muscle, which I think would improve his four seamer.
All that being said, I still believe that, at this point, Marshall does look like a better alternative than Williams. I'm just really not that impressed with Williams's stuff, and I believe he will someday be, at best, a good 4 or 5 starter, but he isn't there yet. I'm concerned that Dusty, just based on the way he operates, will show favoritism toward Williams, because he knows him from San Fran, and won't give the team the best chance to win by giving Marshall a shot.
RE: Marshall, Williams and pitching...
Why not question Guzman for Rusch's spot as well as Marshall for Williams'? The best man should get the job. Feelings and experience aside, and we all know that the advantage goes to the young Pitcher whom the hitters have never seen, the lower ERA gets the job. I understand it's ST and in AZ @ that, to me that's not much different than trying to excuse stats in CO; everyone's effected the same on both sides of the game. So taken into consideration one guy stretching a 10 ERA and now another brings his back to 8! The only question is Dusty and his knack of favoring experience over talent.
Barry Rozner Says: Marshall Over Williams
Daily Herald Barry Rozner columnist has come out of on the side of taking Marshall over Williams. Rozner is the first writer in the Chicago papers I've seen suggest this.