While much has been written lately of Brewers’ GM Doug Melvin looking at free agent starters and other starters via trade and, theoretically, Rule V, fill-in starter Chris Narveson put up impressive numbers in ’09 and should be in the mix for a ’10 starter slot. Narveson, who turns 28 in December, went 2-0, 3.83 in 21 games and 47 IP for the Brewers in 2009. But that only tells part of the story…Narveson had 46 K’s to just 16 BB’s in ’09, resulting in a K/9 of 8.8. His overall WHIP was a rather unspectacular 1.30…but did better against right-handed hitters (.289 OPA, 1.19 WHIP), of which there are more of in the league. Narveson made 4 starts last year–at Arizona, home against Houston and Chicago, and at Colorado–a small sample but a bit representative of the league. In these starts, Narveson went 1-0, with a 3.38 ERA, and had 19 K’s over 18.67 IP–better than 1K/IP. Narveson will likely start 2010 in the bullpen or in AAA…but should be given a serious look in Maryvale, as well as be the proverbial “ace in the hole” should a starter go on the DL during the season.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
