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Sep 9, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher
Carlos Martinez(18) pitches against the Chicago Cubs at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
2. Carlos Martinez
Man, what a talent Martinez is. I was hopeful Martinez was going to get the chance out of spring training and when Jaime Garcia got injured I may have been a little bit excited. Carlos, was mired in and out of the bullpen for the past two seasons and had experienced some success in the bullpen role. However, I was confident that once he got his chance he would run with it, and boy was I right.
Martinez finished the season going 13-7 with a 3.01 ERA, 9.22 strikeouts per nine innings (team high), and 3.16 walks per nine innings. Martinez seemingly got better and better as the season went on, and despite the narrative that he was getting tired before the season ending shoulder injury, he had better peripheral stats in the second half of the season (lower walk rate, lower FIP, higher BABIP. etc.).
The injury to Carlos was probably the straw that broke the camel’s back for the Caridnals’ postseason fortune, as pitching was ultimately what did them in against the Cubs. Hopefully, he heals up and comes back ready for another good season and avoids the injury bug. If that’s the case, this team won’t be going anywhere and should be poised for another NL Central title.