AL Closer Report: April 23
We looked at the National League closers earlier today, so the American League contingent is now due for some love.
Mariano Rivera | New York Yankees
The Comments: Put up your hand if you’re surprised to see Rivera under the “strong performance” column. Hmm, no one. The ageless wonder has yet to allow an earned run this season and he’s a perfect 6-for-6 in save opps. A couple things to note, though: His strikeout rate is down about 2.0 K/9, and he has a BABIP of .179. He’s been very good, but his domination of the league is not going to last forever.
Joakim Soria | Kansas City Royals
The Comments: The Royals bullpen leads the AL with five blown saves so far this season, but you cannot fault Soria. The right-hander has been successful in four of his five tries. He’s given up just three hits and one walk on the year, and has nine Ks in 6.0 innings of work. Soria was perfect in save opportunities this past week (2-for-2 against Minnesota and Toronto).
Jose Valverde | Detroit Tigers
The Comments: Free agent Valverde did not come cheap during the off-season but he’s been worth every penny so far for the Tigers. The veteran’s five-save total is tied for second in the AL and his ERA currently sits at 1.29. He’s given up four hits in 7.0 innings but has just four Ks. He was a perfect 3-for-3 in save opportunities this past week.
David Aardsma | Seattle Mariners
The Comments: Aardsma is tied for the AL lead in saves with Rivera and Jon Rauch. The Mariners closer has yet to allow a run this season and he’s given up just one hit and two walks. He also has seven Ks to his credit. Those 38 saves in ’09 appear to have been for real, and playing in Seattle has really helped his fly-ball tendencies. He was 2-for-2 in save opps this past week.
Kevin Gregg | Toronto Blue Jays
The Comments: Cubs fans are probably scratching their heads right about now. Gregg… a strong performer? Well, he’s wrestled the closer’s job away from Jason Frasor and is a perfect 4-for-4 in saves. Even odder, his control has been outstanding and he has yet to walk a batter in 6.1 innings. He’s allowed just four hits and has seven strikeouts.
Jon Rauch | Minnesota Twins
The Comments: Although his overall numbers are pretty average, Rauch has successfully ended six wins without a blown save. His ERA sits at 1.29 and he’s given up six hits in 7.0 innings. Rauch has recorded five Ks.
Jonathan Papelbon | Boston Red Sox
The Comments: Papelbon’s teammates have been struggling but he’s done what he’s been asked to do with three saves in as many tries. He has, though, taken one loss on the season. Papelbon has also given up six walks – with just 4 Ks – in 8.1 innings, so he’s clearly not at his best right now. The main culprit appears to be a lack of command with his fastball. He was solid in his last game (against Texas on April 21) with one strikeout and five ground-ball outs in two innings.
Andrew Bailey | Oakland Athletics
The Comments: The sophomore closer finally has some saves to his credit after knocking them out over the past eight days. Bailey’s strikeout rate is a little puzzling, as it’s down from 9.83 to 3.60 K/9 this season over last. He hasn’t struck out a batter since April 12, and his last one prior to that was on opening day. On the positive side, he has just one walk.
Rafael Soriano | Tampa Bay Rays
The Comments: The juggernaut Rays club has not needed to rely too heavily on its closer so far this season. When he’s been called upon, though, Soriano has been perfect with four saves in as many chances. He also has a win to his credit. Soriano has appeared in just one game over the past week.
Bobby Jenks | Chicago White Sox
The Comments: Closing for a team whose offense is last in the Majors in batting average means there probably aren’t going to be a ton of save opportunities coming your way (unless you have great starting pitching). Jenks has been perfect so far this year in terms of saves, but he’s had just three chances. His ERA sits at 1.50 and he’s struck out eight in 6.0 innings.
Chris Perez | Cleveland Indians
The Comments: After hitting some turbulence in the early going, things appear to be leveling out for Perez. In three appearances during the past seven days, the former Cardinal was 2-for-2 in save opportunities and, perhaps more importantly, he did not allow a walk in 2.2 innings. Perez had previously walked five batters in three innings of work. He’s actually only given up runs in one appearance this season (3 in 1.0 IP vs Detroit on April 11).
Brian Fuentes | Los Angeles Angels
The Comments: Just activated off the disabled list, Fuentes blew a save against Detroit on April 21. He gave up two runs in two-thirds of an inning on two walks, two hits and a homer. He’ll likely get a chance to redeem himself this weekend.
Neftali Feliz | Texas Rangers
The Comments: The 20 year old Feliz has stolen the closer’s gig away from Frank Francisco and the rookie is a perfect 2-for-2 in save opportunities so far. He has 10 Ks in 6.2 innings and has given up just two hits on the year (both came on Opening Day).
Jim Johnson | Baltimore Orioles
The Comments: Johnson has taken over the role from the injured (and ineffective) Mike Gonzalez. Johnson has had a bit of a rough introduction to the role, as he blew his first two save opportunities of the year on April 13 and 17. He finally notched his first successful save on April 18 in Oakland. Johnson is worth a pick-up considering that Gonzalez is probably out for a while, but the new closer won’t record a ton of strikeouts or be overly dominant.
Marc Hulet has been writing at FanGraphs since 2008. His work focuses on prospects and fantasy. Follow him on Twitter @marchulet.
Really need TB’s offense to slow down a bit so Soriano can get some save ops. Since Francisco got demoted I’ve had to rely on Soriano and Lindstrom and the opportunities have been few and far between at times.