Commentary: Carlos Martinez MUST Be In The Starting Rotation
Mar 19, 2014; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Martinez (62) throws against the Minnesota Twins during a game at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
There comes a time in your life when a decision is so blatantly obvious that you must go with that decision. Today, the St Louis Cardinals had that time today against the Minnesota Twins in Jupiter, Florida. That Carlos Martinez must be in the starting rotation for the 2014 season.
Most die hard St Louis Cardinals fans are well aware of Carlos Martinez. He is a young phenom who throws hard and gets people out. He also has some off speed pitches that will leave hitters corkscrewing themselves into the ground. Mainly he has been used as the set up pitcher for the closer. The Cardinals were willing to give him a chance to start some games in the spring and he has taken advantage of his opportunities. He has pitching 15.1 innings with 9 strikeouts and giving up only 3 earned runs (1.76 ERA).
He has been one of the better pitchers in the Spring for the Cardinals as well. Shelby Miller has had a disappointing spring with a 6.23 ERA and has not looked dominate in any of his games. Same goes for Lance Lynn (6.14 ERA for the Spring) and Joe Kelly (7.71 ERA). Jaime Garcia can’t seem to stay healthy which puts in doubt his ability to be a starter every 5 days.
Spring Training results don’t always prove success or failure for the upcoming season but if teams truly reward players for having a great Spring, then Carlos Martinez must be in the starting lineup. He has been the most consistent and most dominating pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. Not to mentioned he mentioned that he wanted to be a starter and got that chance.
The St Louis Cardinals are a smart organization, probably the smartest one in all of major league baseball. It’s time to make it official and put Carlos Martinez in the starting rotation for the 2014 season.
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