Is Dan Straily the Miami Marlins Ace?

The Miami Marlins came into the season without a clear-cut ace, however, they might have found one after a month into the season.

When the Miami Marlins traded for Dan Straily this past summer, they took a bit of a risk. After Straily lost his rookie status in 2013, his numbers were disastrous.

So much so that you scratch your head wondering why he was never sent down to the minors. Last year though he showed flashes, tossing a 3.76 ERA, in a hitters wonderland, Great American Ballpark.

The major concern was home runs, but, the hope coming into the season was that, naturally, Straily would give up less of them pitching in Marlins Park.

Straily was never intended on being an ace for this ball club. At best they imaged him as a two guy in the rotation. However, a month into the season, we have seen Straily take over the so-called “ace” spot as the most consistent guy in the rotation.

He’s had a 14 strikeout game along with throwing a no-hitter for 5 1/3 innings. His ERA isn’t very indicative of how he’s pitched so far as it’s only 4.15.

He’s been unhittable so far.

However, Straily’s H/9 inning is an astonishing 5.9. Which means he’s giving up less than 6 hits a start. The counter number to that is his BB/9 which is sadly 4.2. More than 4 walks a game is concerning and leads to trouble.

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In Straily’s last start against the Pirates, he walked three straight as one point leading to two earned runs. If you take away those walks, his ERA would an exceptional 3.46 from him.

It’s all a game of what if, but it also leads to perspective. Straily is pitching some darn good baseball numbers aside. Last year his numbers also showed a lot of the same. His H/9 last year were 7^th in the league.

The flip side though is that he was in the top 15 for walks with 73. While Straily over the past year and a half has been nearly unhittable, his control has also been off.

If he can control the walks during the rest of the season than this staff is his. You’ll see his ERA drop dramatically if he can control his pitching.

It’ll be tough for opposing teams to score runs if they’re only getting six hits a game with zero walks. A relatable guy for Straily is actually Jake Arrieta from the Cubs.

I’m not saying Straily is Arrieta, but Arrieta was also in the top portion of giving up walks last year. They also have similar styles while on the mound. Straily is only 28 and under contract until 2021.

Next: Fish Down, Fish Up

Right now, Straily is the clear-cut “ace” of this staff as he’s proven to be the most stable and unhittable. If he can continue to make progress, he’ll prove to be a superb addition for the Marlins this past summer.