Rex Brothers Player Preview: the good, the bad, and the unknown

2013 stats: 67.1 IP, 10.16 K/9, 4.81 BB/9, 1.74 ERA, 3.36 FIP, 19 saves, 1.1 fWAR
2014 PECOTA: 63 IP, 11 K/9, 4.3 BB/9, 3.24 ERA, 3.24 FIP, 5 saves, 1.2 WARP
2014 Oliver: 68 IP, 10.67 K/9, 4.48 BB/9, 3.56 ERA, 3.16 FIP, 1.o WAR
2014 Steamer: 65 IP, 10.28 K/9, 4.53 BB/9, 3.46 ERA, 3.47 FIP, 10 saves, 0.7 WAR
2014 ZiPS: 70.7 IP, 11.20 K/9, 4.46 BB/9, 3.31 ERA, 3.19 FIP, 1.o zWAR
Hayden Projections: 25 saves, 12 K/9, and 5,500 times referred to as “gritty,” “gutsy,” and “not afraid of anybody”

The Good #1: his slider against left-handed hitters

If the Rockies relegated Brothers to a role as a LOOGY, he would be the best LOOGY in the land. His two pitch mix is a fastball he can run up there in the mid 90’s and an absolutely wicked slider.

Exhibit A – strike three on Robinson Cano

Exhibit B – strike three on Matt Adams

In a word, these quality left-handed hitters are helpless. His slider is so tough on lefties that he can also catch them cheating, running his fastball on their hands before they can react.

Exhibit C – Brett Gardner pop-out

Note that, even though Brothers can throw it 95 MPH, all it takes is a 90 MPH pitch to record the out.

The Good #1: his slider against left-handed hitters

Schedule