28 years old (29 in May)
6th Major League Season
6'4" 200 pounds
Bats R/Throws R
The Good: He has a long three-quarters arm action and a 91-95 mph fastball (UPDATE MAY: He now sits 86-89 mph) that rides up in the zone. Likes to throw his fastball inside. He also throws an 85 mph cutter, which is 2nd best pitch. He has a fringe change-up and below average breaking balls. Is a fly ball pitcher, which can be successful in cavernous Citi Field. Back in 2007, Maine won 15 games, and his strikeout rate (8.5 K/9) was 6th in the National League. Pitched better in his 4 starts at the end of last year after returning from a pinched nerve.
The Bad: Shoulder surgery ended his 2008 season, and he rushed his rehab and had to go on the DL last year, managing only 81 innings. His walk rate has steadily increased (3.3 in 2006, 3.5 2007, to 4.2 BB/9 last year), as well as increasing pitch counts limited how deep in the game he could pitch. His strikeout rates have also decreased from 8.5 K/9 in 2007 to a pedestrian 6.1 last year (MLB average is 7.1). All that adds up to a whole lot of NOT GOOD.
Role: As long as he's healthy, he's penciled in to be the #3 starter. This is a big year for his career.
My Projected Stats: 120 innings, 9 wins, 1.38 WHIP, 4.50 ERA, 95 Ks, 55 walks.
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