Tanner Roark has wildly impressed during his first full season as a starting pitcher. However, he's already pitched the most innings of his career and the Nationals might be inclined to give him a rest. Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks hope to promote one of their top prospects in right-hander Archie Bradley.
The 27-year-old Roark is 12-8 with a 2.81 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in 26 starts for the Washington Nationals this season. Despite such a valiant performance throughout the year, Roark might not be on the Nationals playoff rotation as the pitching staff has other great arms, including Stephen Stasburg (3.59 ERA), Jordan Zimmermann (2.93 ERA), Gio Gonzalez (3.86 ERA) and Doug Fister (2.55 ERA). Roark has a better ERA than three of the four other Nationals starters, but it's also his first full season pitching in the MLB, and he is already at a career-high 166 innings pitched. Additionally, he's the least expensive pitcher they have in the rotation.
One of these pitchers will have to be used in relief because four-man rotations are the norm for the MLB postseason. Each of the other starters has playoff experience while Roark does not, and the fact they only have one left-hander in the rotation (Gio Gonzalez) may further point to Roark being moved to the bullpen. But the decision is up to manager Matt Williams, and it will be a tough one because Roark has been consistent all season compared to Strasburg and Zimmermann. ESPN's Buster Olney provides an alternative outlook on the situation:
"Roark is second in the rotation in ERA and is one of the three best Washington starters right now, along with Doug Fister and Jordan Zimmermann," Olney said on his ESPN blog. "The more difficult decision might be about whether to use Stephen Strasburg or Gonzalez in relief. Gonzalez has allowed just one homer in 110 at-bats to left-handers, and so he could be a good bullpen option."
The Diamondbacks, who are out of playoff contention, are looking to build for next year, and that begins with starting pitcher Archie Bradley. Bradley is one of the top pitching prospects in all of baseball and the Diamonbacks' No. 1 overall prospect. The right-hander suffered a minor strain in his elbow earlier in the year, which delayed his promotion to Arizona's starting rotation. But he's recovered over the months and started 11 games in Double-A Mobile with a 3.31 ERA. He was selected to play in the Arizona Fall League, but he might be called up in September to pitch in the big leagues before the AFL begins on October 7.
According to Scott Bordow of the Arizona Republic, the decision is up to general manager Kevin Towers, who has seemed unsure (or particularly prudent) of how to deal with Bradley's progression this season. But you can't blame him because the kid is only 21 years old and Towers would rather be careful with his development.
