Hidden Gems Headed for Out-of-Nowhere Pitching Stardom in 2015
It happens every year.
From minor league journeymen to discarded prospects, there are always pitchers who emerge out of relative anonymity to become surprise rotation weapons. Last year, the likes of Matt Shoemaker and Collin McHugh fit that description, and in 2015 there promises to be a few low-profile arms who step up in a big way.
The pitchers who cracked this list took a variety of paths. Some are finally healthy after putting injury concerns in the rearview mirror. Others began to show glimpses of greatness during 2014. Plus, there's even one pitcher on the list who earned his spot, thanks to a recommendation he received from a former teammate.
Tyler Matzek, LHP, Colorado Rockies
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Why Tyler Matzek Will Break Out
The Colorado Rockies' starting rotation was an absolute mess in 2014.
The group checked in with a 4.89 ERA, which was the worst mark in the National League by more than half a run. On that underwhelming staff, Tyler Matzek provides a sliver of optimism.
After posting a 4.97 ERA and a 1-4 record in his first seven starts, the lefty turned his season around following the All-Star break. In his final 13 outings, the 24-year-old put up a 5-7 record and a 3.55 ERA. Matzek continues to trend upward this spring.
According to Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post, Matzek has been the club's best starter aside from Jorge De La Rosa. As Saunders sees it, the key to success for the starter will be to "harness his changeup" in the upcoming campaign.
Drew Pomeranz, LHP, Oakland Athletics
2 of 5Why Drew Pomeranz Will Break Out
Last year, Drew Pomeranz was on his way to breaking out before he broke his hand. The starter learned an important lesson in 2014: don't punch chairs.
In June, Pomeranz broke his right hand after he punched a chair following a poor start. The injury sent Pomeranz to the disabled list, and the 26-year-old spent the vast majority of the summer in Triple-A after the Oakland Athletics went on to acquire Jeff Samardzija and Jon Lester.
This spring, Pomeranz is one of a slew of pitchers angling for one of the final three spots in Oakland's rotation. He's far from a lock to earn a place on the Opening Day roster, but Pomeranz has put up some impressive numbers early on in the Cactus League.
On March 13, Pomeranz racked up six punch-outs in three frames. Standing 6'5", Pomeranz is no fun to face, as the left-hander has a Clayton Kershaw-ish windup which is funky and deceptive. Like the Los Angeles Dodgers' ace, Pomeranz also has a nasty curve.
Tony Cingrani, LHP, Cincinnati Reds
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Why Tony Cingrani Will Break Out
Just staying on the mound is the key for Tony Cingrani in 2015.
"If he is healthy and throws strikes, he has a great chance to be successful," said Cincinnati Reds manager Bryan Price, via Hal McCoy of Fox Sports Ohio.
Last year, a shoulder injury wrecked Cingrani's season, as the left-hander was only able to make 11 starts. This spring, the 25-year-old is pitching pain-free, according to McCoy. Having Cingrani back at 100 percent is great news for the Reds as Opening Day approaches. Back in 2013, Cingrani ripped off a 2.92 ERA and a 10.3 K/9 ratio in 23 outings for Cincinnati.
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Carlos Martinez, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals
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Why Carlos Martinez Will Break Out
Carlos Martinez has never had the chance to start on a regular basis at the big league level.
The right-hander's minor track record suggests that the St. Louis Cardinals have no choice but to give him that opportunity. In parts of five seasons on the farm, Martinez reeled off a 2.61 ERA and a 9.2 K/9 ratio while starting in all but one of his 70 outings.
Per Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the 23-year-old entered the spring as the "solid favorite" for the No. 5 spot in the Cardinals rotation. Martinez still has plenty of work to do if he's going to claim that job. On March 15, the Minnesota Twins tagged the starter for five runs in 3.1 innings of work.
Shane Greene, RHP, Detroit Tigers
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Why Shane Greene Will Break Out
Just ask Brandon McCarthy. Shane Greene is worth watching out for in 2015.
McCarthy would know since the right-handers spent the second-half of last season pitching together for the New York Yankees. When Greene landed with the Detroit Tigers in a December swap, McCarthy tweeted that his former teammate "has stupid electric stuff."
After a wobbly spring opener, Greene put that stuff on display in his second outing of the Grapefruit League campaign on March 13. The 26-year-old retired all nine batters he faced and uncorked a 95 mph fastball, per Jason Beck of MLB.com.
He's the least heralded member of the Tigers staff, but Greene has the potential to be a major contributor for the squad as it looks to secure its fifth consecutive American League Central crown.
Note: All stats and video courtesy of MLB.com.
If you want to talk baseball, find me on Twitter @KarlBuscheck.
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