MLB Barometer: A Look Towards 2013

As we head into the final week and a half of the season, here is a look at some players who have seen their status change since the beginning of the year and what they will offer heading into 2013.

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Chris Archer P, TB- Archer won his first career game on Wednesday night against the Red Sox allowing three runs in five innings of work. The rookie right-hander has a 3.62 ERA (2.89 FIP and 3.22 xFIP) in 27.1 innings pitched with a strong strikeout rate (11.25 K/9), and better than advertised control (3.62 BB/9). His success in limited work this year will probably allow the Rays to move a starter in order to pick up some offense. In other words, I would be surprised if Archer was not a fixture at the back end of the Rays rotation next season. His ground ball rate is slightly above average (45.7 percent), and his change-up has been a better than advertised pitch. If given a spot in the rotation next season, Archer is definitely a

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