MLB debut - Sean Marshall

Warning! Cubs' pitching prospect! Alert the surgeons!

Sean Marshall made his debut 9 April in the Cubbies 8-4 victory over keen rival St Louis behind Michael Barrett's 8th inning grand slam.

Marshall started and pitched 4.1 innings conceding 4 hits, 4 runs and a walk. The lefthander struck out two. He left with a 3-2 lead and the bases loaded in the fifth, but had a no decision. Up until the 5th, Marshall looked strong:

The 23-year-old Marshall, who had never pitched above Double-A, started the game by retiring David Eckstein and Juan Encarnacion on grounders. He then walked Pujols and Rolen hit a 3-2 pitch to left for his second homer.

Marshall retired 10 of the next 11 batters before running into trouble in the fifth.

"He showed me a lot today," Barrett said.
...
Michael Wuertz, making his first appearance this season, relieved and allowed a two-out, two-run single to Pujols that put the Cardinals ahead.

Sean was a 6th round pick out of Virginia Commonwealth University. His twin brother Brian was a fifth round pick by the Red Sox, but seems to have got lost in their system. (Well, Donutball can't find him.)

Sean throws a nasty sinker which tops out at 95mph and his curve is a plus pitch. He has still to develop a Major League slider and needs to work on setting up hitters. Good stuff helped him get an early promotion to AA in just his second pro season. Marshall suffered a finger tendon injury in 2004, but bounced back in 2005 despite a shoulder injury to help him get a serious shot at making the depleted Cubs rotation. And, here he is!

Stretcher, please!

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