Name: Brett Marshall
Position: Starting Pitcher (RHP)
Age as of Opening Day 2013: 23 (born 3/22/1990)
Height: 6'0" Weight: 195 lbs.
Remaining Contract: Under team control, two years of minor league service time.
2012 Statistics: (AA) 27 games, 158.1 IP, 3.52 ERA, 4.09 FIP, 6.82 K/9, 3.01 BB/9
With Manny Banuelos on the shelf for practically the entire 2013 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, Brett Marshall may have the best argument for being considered next in line for top pitching prospects hoping to make the rotation in the Bronx. Having completed a strong season with Double-A Trenton in 2012 where he led the Eastern League in wins, Marshall is set to most likely begin 2013 one step away from the big leagues in Scranton; and with a spot on the 40-man roster to call his own, he could be called upon for a spot start debut as early as sometime this season.
Marshall managed to finish fourth in the system in strikeouts last season, despite his game being more centered around inducing ground balls. His fastball is described as the heavy, sinking variety that has good movement and serves as the best pitch in his arsenal. Marshall also mixes in a changeup, slider, and curve, with the latter most being behind the other three in terms of development. Projections believe that Marshall will profile as a middle rotation guy at best, and he isn't going to overwhelm anyone with pure velocity. Still, with the pitchers in front of him on the depth chart injured or seen more as depth, Marshall could sneak his way into the majors as early as this season if everything falls the right way for him.
Since undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2009, Marshall has moved up through the system without any further injury concerns. His 2012 season was certainly a bit of a breakout performance for the soon-to-be 23-year-old, and barring being bumped down for retreads, Marshall should be starting the 2013 season with the Scranton RailRiders. If he can replicate the success he found a year ago at the next level, his expected arrival date in New York could be as soon as the end of this season for pre-playoff bullpen work. He could compete for a job in the rotation as early as next year. It's been a little while since a legitimate pitching prospect was knocking on the door of the majors for the Yankees, and even though Marshall doesn't seem to be an ace in waiting, it's always nice to see what products of the farm system can do when given a chance to succeed.