Call me Marmol, the Harbinger of Blown of Saves
Today, after finally sobering up, I went to the Chicago Cubs’ ESPN page and came across an interesting article in the fans favorites section: a run down of the position battles in various spring training camps. To no surprise I found the Cubs fifth starting rotation spot on the list. To my dismay, I found the Cubs fourth starting rotation spot on the list. Now feeling a little worried, I was terrified not to see anyone challenging Carlos Marmol for the closer job on the list.
For those casual Cubs fans that do not know why I would worry about a relief pitcher with an incredible slider and a terrific 10.6 K/9 ratio, let me remind you that this guy has been a head case for years. He is a converted outfielder/catcher that three years to prove himself in a setup role and already lost the closer job once in spring training.
For those of you that want statistical proof, look at Marmol’s splits and scroll down to the situational numbers below his performance against players on the right side and left side of the plate, below his monthly performances, and far below his performance against each team.
Look at his performance with bases loaded and scoring position with two outs. Pitching with the bases loaded in a position (where it is impossible to pass the buck) he held runners to a .077 batting average…but allowed runners to walk across home plate six times in 19 plate appearances. That means he allowed an on base percentage of .350. This is pitiful compared to the league’s top closers and is awfully close to one of last season’s worst, the Philadelphia Phillies’ Brad Lidge.
His numbers become even more terrifying when he is presented with the too often predicament of having runners in scoring position with two outs. He was in this position 50 times in 2009. He walked the batter 12 of those times. Combined with the nine hits he allowed, he allowed opponents a .442 on base percentage or an almost 50 percent chance of keeping the inning alive.
Now, if we had a terrible starter I could avoid purchasing Chicago Cubs tickets to his start (if I did not have season tickets, which I do not); however, if our closer is a head case who loses control of his pitches every time the pressure kicks up a notch I cannot avoid catching an end of a blown game. Hopefully I am reading a little too much into the nitty-gritty and the 15 saves in 19 opportunities is a far more relevant and telling stat.
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Comments
Comment from Stormin’ Norman Disciple
Time March 16, 2010 at 4:43 pm
We could go out and get this guy named Kerry Wood…
Comment from pygreg
Time March 16, 2010 at 5:14 pm
He did really well closing at the end of last year. True, he seems to thrive in pressure situations and likes to walk the bases full before getting that third out, but…
Well after all the Illinois basketball games this season, Marmol may actually be LESS stressful this summer.
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Comment from Rule 5 Draftee
Time March 16, 2010 at 10:22 am
Hopefully, the explanation for last years performance was his attendance of the WBC, which Lou was not fond of. Last year, he did not have a typical Spring Training, and “lost” the closer battle because Piniella didn’t want him to play in the WBC. So far in Spring Training, it appears that he’s been sharp.