Two Major One Minor 082811

Back to the pitchers this week after two weeks focused on hitters. The three in the spotlight are Major League players Guillermo Moscoso and Bruce Chen plus minor league player Boone Whiting. All are under the radar players that are heating up as the season winds down.


Moscoso is a RHP with the Oakland Athletics in his first full season in the majors. His performance has been much better when pitching at his large home field where he is 4-2 with a 2.81 ERA, 28 strikeouts, 1.04 WHIP and .207 average against in 48 innings over eight games. Compare that to his road stats where he is 2-6 with a 4.82 ERA, 24 strikeouts, 1.44 WHIP and .257 average against in 46.2 innings over 10 games. He showed the ability to dominate in the minors while in the Tigers and Rangers organizations. In 2007 at Class A and A advanced he was 8-2 with a 2.18 ERA, 79 strikeouts and 1.08 WHIP in 90.2 innings over 16 games. In 2008 at Class A advanced and Double A he was 5-4 with a 2.70 ERA, 122 strikeouts and 0.94 WHIP in 86.2 innings over 21 games. Until he develops Moscoso appears safe at home and has the promise to be a good power arm in future seasons. He originally signed with the Tigers as an amateur free agent in 2003 out of Venezuela.


Chen is a LHP with the Kansas City Royals and has been their most consistent pitcher this season. He was won his last five decisions to run his record to 10-5 while posting a 3.94 ERA with 74 strikeouts and 1.36 WHIP in 114.1 innings over 18 games. In his hot August he is 5-1 with a 3.19 ERA, 27 strikeouts and 1.15 WHIP in 36.2 innings over six games. While he is not the most dominating pitcher it is always good to ride a hot streak when you can. He originally signed with the Braves as an amateur free agent in 1993 out of Panama.


Whiting is a RHP in the St Louis Cardinals organization playing at the Class A level. For the season he is 4-2 with a 2.13 ERA, 118 strikeouts and 0.85 WHIP in 114.1 innings with 13 starts among his 29 games. His WHIP currently leads the minors while his average against of .182 ranks second. I have a feeling he may get on the fast track next season through the minors. He was originally drafted by the Cardinals in the 18th round in 2010.