Arizona Diamondbacks Spring Training Roster Report: Starting Pitchers
Sep 23, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy (32) throws during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
It sure feels like the Diamondbacks are missing a power pitcher, huh? What happened to the days of Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson? In any event, McCarthy is very much like the others on this list, in that he doesn’t walk many (1.4 per nine) and he doesn’t strikeout many (5.1 per nine). He went just 5-11 with a 4.53 ERA in 2013, his worst ERA since the 2009 season.
Usually, pitchers coming over to the National League will experience a bit of a stats boost at first, but McCarthy went the other way. If I had to guess a player that would drop out of the rotation sooner rather than later, it’s McCarthy. He just doesn’t have good enough stuff to get hitters out and he’s not getting any younger. He also can’t stay healthy — he’s never thrown more than 170.2 innings in any season.