Paints sign brother of Cubs pitcher

The Gazette Staff
Chillicothe is hoping its Marshall plan works out.

The Paints inked left-hander Brian Marshall to a contract for the 2007 season Monday, hoping he can help add to one of the league's best pitching staffs.

Marshall was a fifth-round draft choice of the Boston Red Sox in 2003, following an outstanding career at Virginia Commonwealth University. From 2003 to 2005, Brian pitched for the Lowell Spinners, Greenville Bombers and Sarasota Red Sox in the Red Sox farm system.

His three-year stats in the minors are very impressive. He has built a 6-2 record as a reliever with an overall 2.18 ERA. In a total of 91.1 innings pitched, he has recorded 97 strikeouts with a 92 mph. fastball and a good slider, according to scouting reports.

After suffering through lingering shoulder stiffness and pain late in the 2005 season, Marshall, age 24, returned to the Red Sox spring training camp in 2006, but was eventually released.

The team said Marshall is healthy and ready to contribute.

Marshall's twin brother is Sean Marshall, a starting pitcher for the Chicago Cubs in 2006 and now pitching at AAA Iowa. Sean was 6-9 for the Cubs in 2006.

The Chillicothe Paints will open their 2007 season on the road against the Florence Freedom on Wednesday, May 23 and will begin the home season on Friday, May 25 against the Slippery Rock Sliders.