2009 Projection: Chad Durbin
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Sat, April 04, 2009 01:00 PM | Comments: 6
Posts, Projections
Chad Durbin, RP (RHP)
Age: 31
2008: 87.2 IP / 5-4 / 2.87 ERA / 35 BB / 63 K / 1 SV / 6 BS / 1.32 WHIP
Summary: For the first three-fourths of the 2008 season, Chad Durbin may have been the team’s most valuable player. Patching up a large hole in the Phillies bullpen, Durbin threw key innings as both a long man and situational pitcher. His coming-out party was a six-strikeout washout of the Mets on July 4. Soon, though, hitters figured him out enough to drop his ERA closer to 3.00. Left-handers drilled him (.311/.401/.394), but he was very effective against righties (.214/.284/.305).
Career Level: Prime (Year 2)
Green Flags: The righty splits are encouraging and scream that he’s more situational than standard. … Durbin’s K rates came back up to respectable levels (6.47 K/9) in 2008. … While his fastball averaged greater velocity in 2008, Durbin relied much more on his slider than ever (38.1 percent from 18.7 percent). That was an effective pitch against righties. Meanwhile, he threw his changeup less — it seems it worked.
Red Flags: Batters hit line drives 20.6 percent against him, as opposed to 15.6 percent in 2007. … He only let up 0.51 home runs per nine in 2008, but that’s far below his average (1.35), so it might be an anomaly. … That he had a poor second half shows hitters might have figured him out quickly.
Prognostication: Durbin’s 2008 was a reason the Phillies were so effective late in games. He probably won’t repeat that success, but there’s reason to believe the drop won’t be that bad. He has engineered his pitches well, and knows the slider spells more success. Look for some shaky outings, but the good should still outweigh the bad.
2009 Projection: 79.2 IP / 4-5 / 3.50 ERA / 32 BB / 55 K / 1 SV / 5 BS / 1.37 WHIP
Posts: 0 ryan
wow. it is really easy to forget just how important Chad Durbin was in 2008 to the Phils. and just how important he will be in 2009 as well. he was the glue that held that pen together in the first half of the season last year. he was a godsend. another Pat Gillick special
Posted: 01:20 PM on April 4, 2009
Posts: 0 Travis
Tim why are giving each reliever like 0 or 1 saves along with 3,4,5 blown saves with like 4.00+era. It’s a good bullpen you now.
Posted: 01:30 PM on April 4, 2009
Posts: 0 phillyGirlinM
Go Durbin! There are some groucy Tiger fans where I work wishing he was still in Motown. I’m glad he ended up w the Phils. I expect he’ll do well this yr and continue to contribute without much appreciation.
Posted: 01:37 PM on April 4, 2009
Posts: 0 Evan
So MLB.tv is not loading up the Phils game for me, and I have the pleasure of watching the Mets vs. Red Sox on the teevee. Ollie P didn’t just walk in the first run in the first inning with no outs, he’s given up 6, 5 earned, including a grand slam and has now been pulled after only 2 outs. That’s an ERA of 67.5 at Citi Field!
Posted: 01:42 PM on April 4, 2009
Posts: 0 Jamie
CitiField…what a bandbox.
Posted: 02:19 PM on April 4, 2009
Posts: 0 Manny
That outfield in Citi Field looks so big… the players look like ants trying to catch all the fly balls
Posted: 03:16 PM on April 4, 2009