Carlos Marmol gets the call

With Scott Williamson getting injured and subsequently being placed on the 15 day DL, the Cubs called up AA pitcher, Carlos Marmol.

Marmol is a converted catcher, and here is a good scouting report on him courtesy The Cub Reporter from last September:

His fastball and slider are both among the very best in the system, the former clocking in the low- to mid-nineties with excellent downward movement, the latter very hard-breaking. He also mixes in a changeup. Numbers-wise he's been known to have control problems come and go, and he allows a few too many home runs too. But for someone so new to pitching, who therefore could well have plenty of room for further improvement, he's a very promising prospect.

It's interesting that none of the 4 pitchers at Iowa (Guzman, Hill, Ryu, and Williams) are getting another shot, especially Rich Hill. Guzman still is rough around the edges, Ryu was tipping his pitchers, Williams has been awful at Iowa, but Hill has remained pretty dominant for the I-Cubs.

This says one of two things about Hill, either they have given up on him, or he is working on something new down at AAA to help him be more successful in the big leagues, we shall see what the future holds for Hill.

As far as Marmol, Al at Bleed Cubbie Blue says he believes Marmol will be in the starting rotation, as he hasn't had a relief appearance for 2 seasons. We shall see how he is used, but I hope Rusch is moved back to the pen.

Update: Marmol was used in relief today against the Cards. Odd callup if you ask me, it seems as though Weurtz or Lightenberg may have been the better choice as far as relievers go.

Other notes from the system yesterday:

• Felix Pie, Jake Fox, and Ryan Harvey all put up 2 hit performances yesterday; with Harvey nearly reaching the "Mendoza Line" at .197.
  
• Brian Dopirak's second game back saw him go 0-3 with a walk and an RBI
• Angel Guzman pitched 6 innings giving up only 2 runs but took the loss for Iowa.