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 Bad #1 – fastball command

The effectiveness of his slider, a pitch rarely thrown in the strike zone but swung at and missed nevertheless, is predicated on Brothers’ ability to throw his fastball for a strike. Unfortunately for him and for Rockies fans, the growing pains he still experiences from time to time come from a lack of such command. Take these two examples from a blown save against the San Diego Padres.

Exhibit F – misses way outside to right-handed hitter

Exhibit G – makes left-handed bunt-attemptor jump

The Bad #1 – fastball command

Schedule