The Boston Red Sox pitching depth is just getting ridiculous. This past off-season, I took a look at the incredible number of starting pitchers that the organization has that are ready to pitch in the Majors (which includes Michael Bowden, who is currently dealing in triple-A).

That depth is now starting to spill over into the bullpen. The club recently recalled Daniel Bard from triple-A. The right-hander is arguably the top relief prospect in all of baseball. Bard’s emergence is truly impressive, considering he all but flamed out in 2007 while pitching in high-A ball as a starter at one of best hitter’s parks (and leagues) in professional baseball. He posted a walk rate of 14.85 BB/9 in 13.1 innings and allowed 21 hits. His ERA was 10.13. The now-23-year-old hurler was demoted down to low-A that year where he posted a 6.42 ERA in 61.2 innings.

Moved to the bullpen in 2008, Bard improved his walk rate to 1.29 in low-A ball, with a strikeout rate of 13.82 K/9, and then skipped over high-A and dominated double-A with rates of 4.71 BB/9 and 11.60 K/9. At triple-A in 2009, he posted rates of 2.81 BB/9 and 16.31 K/9 in 16 innings of work. Bard allowed just six hits. His control is still iffy so there is room for improvement (which is a little scary to consider) and his mid-to-high-90s fastball is by far his best pitch, although the slider has improved a lot.

Now in the Red Sox bullpen, Bard will likely be used in low leverage situations (Thanks to the presence of Manny Delcarmen, Ramon Ramirez and even Takashi Saito) and his previous experience as a starter will come in handy if the club needs to use him for two or three innings. There is no doubt, though, that he will be the club’s set-up man in the near future, as long as the improvements in his control hold (or improve). When Jonathan Papelbon’s time as closer expires for the Red Sox, Bard should be ready to assume that role as well.

With his high strikeout totals and dominating stuff, Bard will no doubt be of great value to fantasy baseball owners in the not-too-distant future. Just be patient.

For the purposes of the “Closer Report” (which will be a weekly feature), we’ll place the relief aces in one of three categories: Death Grip (these guys have no chance of relinquishing the closer’s role; think Mo Rivera), In Control (a good chance of continuing to rack up the saves) and Watch Your Back (the set-up man is planning a coup d’etat as we speak).

Death Grip

Mariano Rivera, Yankees

Rivera actually had something of a rough week, giving up two long balls to the Rays on the seventh. That performance prompted manager Joe Girardi to leak that Mo’s surgically repaired shoulder has been giving the cutter demi-god some problems . Not that you’d know it from the 18/1 K/BB ratio, but Rivera’s cutter velocity continues to sit about 2 MPH slower than last season.

Jonathan Papelbon, Red Sox

Papelbon has yet to blow a save, but he has raised the collective blood pressure of Boston’s fans a little more than usual in the later innings. He has dished out 9 walks in 15 frames and holds a 3.72 FIP. His K/BB ratio stands at 2.11, compared to his career 4.66 rate.

Kerry Wood, Indians

Wood holds a 4.00 FIP, a middling mark, but that looks downright impressive compared to some of the other arsonists in Cleveland’s ‘pen: the Tribe 27th in reliever FIP and 28th in WPA. Wood had only one appearance this week, pitching a scoreless inning in a losing effort against the Tigers on the 9th.

Bobby Jenks, White Sox

Jenks had progressively become more of a contact-oriented reliever over the past few seasons, with his K rate plummeting from the double-digits to just 5.55 per nine in 2008. In 2009, however, high-octane Bobby might be back: his heater velocity is up nearly 2 MPH from last season, and his contact rate has dipped from 84.5% in ’08 to just 74.4% in ’09, the lowest mark of his career (80.6% MLB average). Jenks has 12 whiffs in 12 innings thus far, and is a perfect 8-for-8 in save chances.

Joe Nathan, Twins

Nathan has reeled of 5 scoreless innings in the month of May. Nathan seems to be baiting opponents to chase his stuff out of the zone, with just 43.6% of his pitches crossing home plate (51.5% career average). The strategy appears to be working, as hitters have made contact on just 55.6% of those outside offerings (62.3 % MLB average) while chasing them 34% of the time (24.4% MLB average).

Frank Francisco, Rangers

Francisco hasn’t pitched since May 6th, as he deals with a bout of biceps tendinitis. Hopefully the injury isn’t serious: Francisco leads all relievers in WPA (2.00), with zero runs allowed in 14.2 frames. C.J. Wilson (4.49 FIP) and Eddie Guardado (7.55 FIP) will get any save chances in the meantime, though neither come highly recommended

In Control

Brad Ziegler, Athletics

Watch out for: Andrew Bailey

Ziegler continues to fight the flu, and he’s surrendered 5 runs (4 earned) in his last two appearances on the 7th and the 10th. Zielger hasn’t been bad this year (3.72 FIP), but Bailey has been a beast: with 24 K in 21.1 IP, the rookie right-hander holds a 2.53 FIP. Bailey’s low-90’s fastball, high-80’s cutter and mid-70’s curve have been extremely difficult to square up: opponents have just a 73.2% contact rate against pitches in the zone against the rookie righty (87.7% MLB average).

Brandon Morrow, Mariners

Back off the DL, Morrow walked two and gave up a run in an inning of work against the Twins on May 10th. We’re only talking about 7.2 innings of work so far, but Morrow has used his upper-90’s fastball 91.1% of the time, the highest rate among all relievers. Unfortunately, with 9 walks and just 41.3% of his pitches over the plate, his fastball control is a little rusty.

Brian Fuentes, Angels

Fuentes has a four-appearance scoreless streaking going, a modest accomplishment after a rough re-introduction to the AL (he was briefly a Mariner back in ’01). He’s still fooling batters (15 K in 11.2 IP), and his .421 BABIP is sure to continue dropping.

Scott Downs, Blue Jays

B.J. Ryan is nearing a return to Toronto, but his old cozy spot won’t be waiting for him. According to GM J.P. Ricciardi, Downs will remain the 9th inning man for the time being. It’s hard to argue with the decision, given Ryan’s rocky performance and Downs’ dazzling work (20/1 K/BB ratio, 1.90 FIP in 16.1 innings).

Fernando Rodney, Tigers

Watch out for: Ryan Perry, Joel Zumaya

Rodney had his first rough stretch in terms of throwing strikes this week, issuing 3 BB in two appearances against Cleveland on the 9th and 10th. Hopefully, this isn’t a sign of things to come for the normally strike zone-challenged reliever: he had been doing a fine job of locating his pitches, with 59.2% of them ending up in the strike zone (fourth-highest among all relievers).

Juan Cruz, Royals(Joakim Soria on the DL with shoulder soreness)

The Mexicutioner hits the DL for a second time with a wonky shoulder, a troubling development. GM Dayton Moore says there’s no “structural damage” (“just” rotator cuff inflammation), but free agent import Cruz will handle the 9th inning for the time being.

Cruz’s ERA may sit at 1.88, but he’s struggled to throw strikes with an 11/9 K/BB in 14.1 IP. A .169 BABIP has aided him thus far, and he’ll have to do a better job of pounding the zone if he expects to have continued success.

Watch Your Back

George Sherrill/Chris Ray/Jim Johnson/Danys Baez(?), Orioles

Sherrill racked up a save last night against the Rays, and he’s apparently still the guy for the time being. The lefty has been rather hittable (opponents have made contact with 92.5% of his pitches within the zone, compared to the 87.7% MLB average), and Sherrill has handed out 7 walks in 14.2 IP. His grip on the job will always be tenuous; he’s like a southpaw version of Mike Williams.

Troy Percival, Rays

Watch out for: J.P. Howell

Percival has FIP’s of 5.87 and 4.80 over the 2008 and 2009 seasons, but he’ll continue to get the call in the 9th so that Balfour, Howell et. all can work more than 3 outs at a time. Percival has put himself in jams in his 8.2 frames of work, with a 44.4% First-Pitch Strike % (57.8% MLB average).

For the purposes of the “Closer Report” (which will be a weekly feature), we’ll place the relief aces in one of three categories: Death Grip (these guys have no chance of relinquishing the closer’s role; think Mo Rivera), In Control (a good chance of continuing to rack up the saves) and Watch Your Back (the set-up man is planning a coup d’etat as we speak).

Death Grip

Francisco Rodriguez, Mets

Rodriguez is 9-for-9 in save opportunities this season, with 16 whiffs in 15.2 frames. K Rod has always been a flyball-oriented sort (41.9 GB%), but he’s taken that tendency to the extreme in 2009: his groundball rate sits at 20%, third-lowest among all relievers. Luckily for the Mets, Citi Field is playing favorably toward such flyball-slanted arms in the early going.

Jonathan Broxton, Dodgers

Broxton continues to produce Nintendo-style numbers on the hill, with 27 punchouts, 2 hits and 1 run allowed in 16 frames. The 24 year-old has been absolutely untouchable in May: in 5 IP, he’s punched out eight without a hit or a walk. Broxton will eventually surrender some bloops (his BABIP is .099), but his appearances are fast becoming Gagne-esque, “Game Over” events.

Heath Bell, Padres

Bell has had plenty of time to hit the Wii-Fit in recent days: he hasn’t appeared in a game since May 7th. Reality is hitting the Padres right between the eyes. After a 9-4 start, the Fathers have gone an unholy 4-16. Bell still hasn’t had a runner cross home plate on his watch, with an 11.2 inning scoreless streak and a 1.60 WPA that ranks second among relievers.

Chad Qualls, Diamondbacks

Qualls is going through a rare rough path of pitching, having been scored upon in two of his last three appearances. Still, he holds a superb 16/2 K/BB ratio in 13 frames, with a 2.42 FIP that rates as his lowest figure in the majors.

In Control

Matt Capps, Pirates

Capps missed some time nursing a sore elbow, but that’s okay: the Bucs accomodated their closer by going on an eight-game losing streak. The beefy right-hander worked an inning of mop-up duty in last night’s 7-1 victory over St. Louis, again showing shaky control with two walks surrendered. Capps now has issued more free passes in 2009 than he did during the entire 2008 season.

Brad Lidge, Phillies

Watch out for: Ryan Madson

May has been rather cruel to Philly’s stopper: Lidge has surrendered 6 runs in his past four innings, with two more souvenirs entering the bleachers. He’s now given up 5 dingers in 13.2 innings, for a 21.7 HR/FB% that looks like a misprint. Lidge’s First-Pitch Strike% sits at 47.8% (58.9 career average). If his knee continues to bark and the long-balls continue, Madson could make a cameo in the event of a DL stint. Madson has a FIP hovering around two, and he’s kept the fastball velocity spike from late last season (94.7 MPH in 2009).

Francisco Cordero, Reds

Cordero is now 10-for-10 in save ops, missing bats (16 K in 15 IP) while also making things a little too interesting for Cincy’s fans (7 BB). Utilizing his mid-90’s fastball more often (71.8%) at the expense of his high-80’s slider (20.6%), Cordero has seen his Outside Swing% fall for a third straight season. Cordero threw that hard, biting breaking pitch 46.2% of the time in 2007, while garnering an O-Swing% of 35.4%. The slider usage dropped to 37.3% in 2008 (30.4 O-Swing%), and with another decrease in slider usage, his O-Swing% sits at 26.8% in 2009 (24.4 MLB average).

LaTroy Hawkins (Jose Valverde on DL), Astros

Filling in for Valverde, Hawkins notched a save on the 8th, gave up a pair of hits on the 9th and hasn’t pitched since. LaTroy is looking more like the fellow who posted back-to-back strong seasons with the Twins in 2002 and 2003, as opposed to the low-octane Orioles and Rockies version from 2006-2007. He has 13 K’s in 15 innings, with a 78.5% contact rate that rates as his lowest dating back to ’02 (80.6% MLB average).

Brian Wilson, Giants

With a career-high 3.17 K/BB ratio, Wilson has notched 8 saves in 10 chances. Hitters continue to take few hacks at Wilson’s offerings, swinging at 58.8% of his pitches thrown within the strike zone (65.9% MLB average). His fastball (just about the straightest pitch in the majors in 2007 and 2008, with less about a half an inch of horizontal movement compared to a pitch thrown without spin) is wiggling a little more in ’09, with 3.7 inches of tailing action in on righty batters.

Trevor Hoffman, Brewers

“Hell’s Bells” has been a hit in Beertown thus far, with 7 scoreless frames, no walks and six saves. Interestingly, Hoffman’s signature changeup is showing more “sinking” action this season: thrown with 9.5 inches of vertical movement in 2007, the pitch had 8.8 inches of vertical movement in ’08 and just 6 inches in ’09. Perhaps it’s just a small-sample quirk, but could that have something to do with Hoffman’s uncharacteristic 66.7 GB%?

Watch Your Back

Matt Lindstrom, Marlins

Watch out for: Leo Nunez

Lindstrom has rebounded with seven straight scoreless appearances since April 24th’s bludgeoning at the hands of the Phillies. Never a control-artist, Lindstrom has issued 9 free passes in 13 innings, while locating just 45% of his pitches in the strike zone.

Julian Tavarez(?)/Kip Wells/Joe Beimel/Joel Hanrahan, Nationals

Beimel got the call in the 9th last night, and promptly served up a three-run bomb to hacking wonder Pablo Sandoval that turned a 7-6 lead into a 9-7 loss. Maybe he just wanted to fit in: seven of twelve relievers used by the Nats this season have negative WPA figures. Who gets the call next time out is anyone’s guess. Can Ryan Zimmerman close, too?

Mike Gonzalez, Braves

Watch out for: Rafael Soriano

While it might rankle fantasy owners, Braves skipper Bobby Cox made a refreshing decision in calling upon Gonzalez in the 8th against the Phillies on May 10th. With three straight lefties due up for Philly, Cox deployed his relievers in a manner that best called for them to be used. He didn’t obstinately say, “Gonzalez is my closer, therefore he must enter the game in the 9th with a lead between one and three runs.” If Cox continues this trend, it could cost Gonzo a few save ops while aiding the Braves overall.

On the year, Gonzalez has 19 K’s in 14.2 innings, with a 2.71 FIP. Soriano has blown hitters away to the tune of a 1.75 FIP in 16 IP, with 22 whiffs induced.

Kevin Gregg, Cubs

Watch out for: Carlos Marmol

Gregg took a beating to start the season, but he hasn’t given up a run in his last 5.2 innings, with a 7/2 K/BB ratio. Despite placing just 43.3% of his pitches in the strike zone (48.9% MLB average), Gregg has a 66.2 First-Pitch Strike% that eclipses the 57.8% big league average (that’s also the highest rate of his career). The pitches that Gregg does put in the zone are being swung at often (72.3%, 65.9% MLB average), with a low contact rate (78.7%, 87.7% MLB average).

Ryan Franklin, Cardinals

Franklin has finally been scored upon, after a run of 13 clean appearances to begin the season. The 36 year-old and his newfound cutter (thrown over a quarter of the time) coughed up two homers against the Reds on May 10th (to Jerry Hairston and Micah Owings).

Huston Street, Rockies

Street has had a rather quiet week, tossing a scoreless inning on the 8th versus the Marlins and then racking up a save in another spotless frame versus the Fish on the 10th. The former A’s stopper has posted rates of 9.45 K/9 and 1.35 BB/9, though 3 taters in 13.1 innings have put a damper on his line. Street’s a flyball-centric pitcher in a park where that’s a no-no, but his .355 BABIP and 17.6 HR/FB rate portend to better days ahead.

For the purposes of the “Closer Report” (which will be a weekly feature), we’ll place the relief aces in one of three categories: Death Grip (these guys have no chance of relinquishing the closer’s role; think Mo Rivera), In Control (a good chance of continuing to rack up the saves) and Watch Your Back (the set-up man is planning a coup d’etat as we speak).

Death Grip

Mariano Rivera, Yankees

With 13 whiffs and no walks, Mo has been his typically dominant self. He’s given up 2 homers in 9.2 innings (half of his total in each of the past two seasons), but there’s no cause for concern here.

Jonathan Papelbon, Red Sox

Papelbon just hasn’t quite been himself this season: he’s issued 7 walks in 12 innings, just one fewer free pass than he gave up in 69.1 IP in 2008. Opposing batters seem content to wait Boston’s closer out, swinging at 47.5% of his pitches thus far (55.6% in 2008).

Kerry Wood, Indians

Wood is racking up the K’s (16 in 10 IP), but he has also walked 5 and owns a -0.14 WPA. As with Papelbon, opponents are keeping the bat on the shoulder more often as Wood works out his control kinks: his outside swing percentage (31.3% last year) is just 19.7% in 2009. Cleveland’s ‘pen has been as prone to fluctuation as any unit in recent memory, and ’09 has been a down year: Indians relievers own the third worst WPA mark in the big leagues, at -2.89.

Joakim Soria, Royals

Soria returned from bout with shoulder soreness to complete a five-out appearance on May 2nd against the Twins. He racked up a save the following night, and now boasts a 1.62 FIP in 7.2 innings.

Bobby Jenks, White Sox

6-for-6 in save ops, Jenks has an 8/4 K/BB in 9 innings pitched. His fastball velocity is up a tick from 2008 (from 93.8 to 94.8), though his outside-swing% is down for the third straight season (29.9% in ’07, 28.3 in ’08 and 23.5 in ’09).

Joe Nathan, Twins

Nathan has served up a couple early-season dingers, but he’s been his usual stellar self. Nathan’s low-to-mid-90’s heat and sharp high-80’s slider have gotten batters to chase pitches outside the strike zone 35.5% of the time (24.4% MLB average), which ranks in the top 10 among all relievers.

Frank Francisco, Rangers

Francisco has been untouchable in 2009: 8-for-8 in save chances, Francisco has yet to be scored upon in 13.2 innings of work. His 1.82 WPA leads all relievers, and he’s inducing outside swings at a higher rate than in recent years (30 outside swing%; 22.3% career average).

In Control

Brad Ziegler, Athletics

Battling the flu, Ziegler made his first appearance since April 25th last night (hey, it beats pulling your calf). With all the maladies afflicting Garciaparra, Chavez, Ellis and Casilla, among others, I’d bring my own shaman to the ballpark if I were an Athletic. Ziegler struck out two in a scoreless inning against the Angels last night, and has not surrendered a run in his last 8.1 innings pitched.

David Aardsma (Brandon Morrow on DL), Mariners

Morrow hit the DL with biceps tendinitis, but he’s expected back during the weekend or early next week. Aardsma gets the call until then. The erstwhile Cub, Giant, White Sock and Red Sock has shown why teams continue to be intrigued by his hard fastball/slider combo (11 K in 12. IP), but also why so many clubs have given up on him (8 BB).

Brian Fuentes, Angels

Fuentes is missing bats (13 K in 9.2 innings), and his FIP is an adequate 3.70. However, a mind-warping .457 BABIP has made the new Angels stopper look like a punching bag (6.52 ERA). Not that everything is hunky-dory: he’s located just 44.3% of his pitches for strikes (52.3% career average), which helps explain the four walks.

Scott Downs, Blue Jays

Downs is doing everything in his power to keep the ninth-inning glamour role for good. In 15.1 frames, he has a ridiculous 20/0 K/BB ratio, and he’s been scored upon just twice. His FIP is 0.77, with a near-70 percent groundball rate. Hitters are flailing at Downs’ sinker/curve mix, with a 38.5% outside-swing% that ranks 6th among all relievers.

Watch Your Back

George Sherrill/Chris Ray/Jim Johnson/Danys Baez(?), Orioles

Sherrill is officially on the ropes as Baltimore’s stopper, not a shocking development given his 2 blown saves and 3 dingers allowed in 11.2 frames. Ray, toting mid-90’s cheese and a mid-80’s slider, has whiffed 10 batters in 8.1 frames, though he’s also walked 4 (3 unintentionally).

Johnson (0.62) and Baez (0.42) rank one and two in terms of Baltimore WPA, though Baez is said not to be a candidate at the moment. Mostly a high-priced disaster with the O’s, Baez has a 13/5 K/BB ratio in 15.2 innings this year. Johnson, meanwhile, continues to post mediocre peripherals while posting superficially impressive ERA’s (2.45 ERA, 4.45 FIP in 2009).

Troy Percival, Rays

Percival racked up just about the easiest save he’ll ever get yesterday, retiring one Orioles batter. The 39 year-old has worked just 7.2 innings in 9 appearances, throwing less than a full frame on three occasions.

Fernando Rodney, Tigers

Would you believe that Rodney (he of 4.43 career BB/9) actually leads all relievers in first-pitch strike percentage, at 82.1%? The typically combustible flame-thrower has tossed 60.7% of his pitches within the strike zone (fourth among all relievers), and he’s walked just one batter in 10 innings. Rodney has surrendered 5 runs, but with a 3.38 FIP (the lowest of his career), he really hasn’t been half bad.

For the purposes of the “Closer Report” (which will be a weekly feature), we’ll place the relief aces in one of three categories: Death Grip (these guys have no chance of relinquishing the closer’s role; think Mo Rivera), In Control (a good chance of continuing to rack up the saves) and Watch Your Back (the set-up man is planning a coup d’etat as we speak).

Death Grip

Brad Lidge, Phillies

With 4 taters surrendered in 10.2 IP, Lidge has already served up double the amount of homers in 2009 as he did during the 2008 season. Just as his wacky-low 3.9 HR/FB% from last year was bound to rise, his 28.6 HR/FB% in ’09 will inevitably drop. Attempting to pitch through pain in his right knee, Lidge has seen his fastball velocity dip a few MPH (94.3 in ’08, 92.8 in ’09), while posting a first-pitch strike percentage of just 46.2 (57.7 MLB average).

Francisco Rodriguez, Mets

K-Rod has K’d 16 hitters in 11.2 frames, while going 7-for-7 in save ops. So far, Rodriguez has attempted to let opponents get themselves out: he’s thrown just 39.5% of his pitches within the strike zone (5th-lowest among relievers). While Rodriguez has walked six, hitters have acquiesced by chasing offerings outside of the zone 33.9% of the time (24.4 MLB average).

Jonathan Broxton, Dodgers

Broxton just keeps on rolling: with an eye-popping 25 K’s in 14 IP, LA’s ninth-inning beast has punched out more batters per nine innings than any other reliever. 8-for-9 in save chances, Broxton holds the third-best WPA among relievers (1.32), and his 63.5% contact rate is fourth-lowest. When opponents aren’t helplessly swinging and missing, they’re chopping the ball into the infield dirt (57.9 GB%).

Heath Bell, Padres

Bell has yet to blow a save chance, with 8 saves in 8 opportunities. His 13/2 K/BB ratio in 10.2 IP has led to a 1.31 FIP and a 1.48 WPA that ranks second among all relievers. His mid-90’s gas and low-80’s slider are jamming hitters with great frequency: his IF/FB% is 30 percent.

Chad Qualls, Diamondbacks

Arizona’s covert closer has a dominant 14/1 K/BB ratio in 10 innings, with a microscopic 0.68 FIP. His groundball rate is just absurd (78.3%), the product of a bushel of swings on outside pitches (his outside swing percentage is 34.6%). With the second-best first-pitch strike percentage among ‘pen arms (79.5%), Qualls is often getting ahead 0-1 or inducing contact on the first offering.

In Control

Matt Capps, Pirates

After starting off the year strong (0 runs in his first 5.2 innings), Capps has gotten crunched in three straight appearances (a combined 7 runs in 2.2 innings), including a 4-run disaster piece against the Brewers on May 4th. Capps will be shut down for a few days with what’s being called a “minor elbow ailment.” The news is disconcerting, given the 25 year-old’s bout with shoulder bursitis last season that cost him about 2 months. Something is off-kilter: normally as precise as any reliever in the majors (with a career BB/9 of 1.48), Capps has issued 4 walks in 8.1 IP.

Francisco Cordero, Reds

After an ugly outing versus the Astros on April 27th (3 R and a loss), Cordero has tossed two scoreless innings. Last week, we noted that Cordero (throwing his mid-90’s fastball nearly three-quarters of the time) has essentially said to hitters, “I’m throwing as hard as I can, now try and hit it.” Thus far, that approach has led to a 2.18 FIP, but his GB% has fallen to 29.6%. Cordero as yet to allow a homer, but flyball tendencies typically don’t fly at Great American Ballpark.

LaTroy Hawkins (Jose Valverde on DL), Astros

Valverde’s calf injury turned out to be more serious than expected, requiring the draining of fluid and a DL stint. In his stead, Hawkins will take on ninth innings duties. Worth noting: Hawkins’ strikeout rates had fallen through the floor in 2006 and 2007 (4.03 and 4.72 K/9, respectively), but that number rebounded to 6.97 in 2008 and sits at 8.53 in 12.2 IP this season. The 36 year-old never lost much fastball velocity during those down years, though he is relying more heavily on a high-80’s slider over the past two seasons.

Brian Wilson, Giants

Wilson has battled his control a bit over his last two appearances, walking 3 in 2.1 IP in two appearances versus the Rockies. While Wilson isn’t known for his fine touch, he’s not a walk-the-yard type, either. Yet, hitters just aren’t swinging at what Wilson offers. Last week, we noted his rapidly decreasing outside-swing% (down to just 13.9% in ’09). Batters are also increasingly laying off pitches over the plate (his Z-Swing% is 57.6%, compared to the 65.7% MLB average). Overall, opponents have offered at just 34.1% of Wilson’s pitches, second-lowest among all relievers. What gives, Giants fans?

Trevor Hoffman, Brewers

So, far, so good for Hoffman. He has a 5/0 K/BB ratio and 4 saves in 5 innings. The sample size is too small to glean a whole lot from, but Hoffman (an extreme flyball pitcher) has a 66.7 GB%. Also, he’s decreased the use of his signature changeup for the second straight season, mixing in more sliders in its place.

Watch Your Back

Matt Lindstrom, Marlins

Lindstrom has four clean appearances since the unmitigated disaster that was his April 24th appearance against the Phillies. Still, his season totals will be feeling the pain for months to come: his FIP is 6.38, and his WPA is -0.41. Such is the life of the reliever: one bad appearance can put a serious damper on your numbers.

Julian Tavarez(?)/Kip Wells/Joe Beimel (once off the DL), Nationals

Can we rule out anyone here, really? Collectively, Nats relievers have a macabre -3.24 WPA, worst in the major leagues. Kip Wells (he of a 4/7 K/BB ratio in 9 IP) is the “leader” in the WPA clubhouse, with 0.38. Bring us your busted prospects (Hinckley, Mock), your retreads (Wells, Tavarez), your discarded Fish (Kensing). Where art thou, Joe Beimel? Beimel will probably get a shot once he’s off the DL, by process of elimination.

Mike Gonzalez, Braves

Gonzalez has pitched relatively well thus far, with 16 K’s in 9.2 IP. Unfortunately, his .444 BABIP has led to a crappy 4.66 ERA. Gonzo’s control will likely always keep him from being a truly elite reliever, but he’s a solid buy-low candidate.

Kevin Gregg, Cubs

Gregg just hasn’t located his pitches: with 9 free passes in 12.2 IP and just 41.8 percent of his offerings coming across the dish (10th-worst among relievers), he has a -0.07 WPA and a 5.15 FIP. Luckily for Gregg, his principal competition (Carlos Marmol) has walked 9 batters in his last 4.1 IP while battling a balky knee.

Ryan Franklin, Cardinals

What in the name of closer facial hair has gotten into Franklin? The historically underpowered 36 year-old has a 10/2 K/BB ratio in 11.1 frames, with 7 saves and nary a run allowed. Throwing a fastball, cutter, curve, change and a splitter, Franklin has never punched out more than 6.89 batters per nine innings (all the way back in 2001 with the M’s), and his career whiff rate sits at 4.89. Color me skeptical, but his 1.30 WPA ranks 4th among relievers.

Huston Street, Rockies

Talk about a bad week: Manny Corpas goes from closer to one false step away from Colorado Springs. Corpas surely hasn’t been a clamp-down reliever, but his FIP (4.02) is considerably better than his 6.75 ERA. When balls put in play are falling for hits at a Ted Williams-like pace (.404 BABIP), you’re going to struggle.

Street, meanwhile, is back in the saddle after a similar demotion in April. His K/BB ratio is strong (12/2 in 11.1 IP), but he’s surrendered 3 homers already, which has led to a 5.56 ERA. Neither one of these guys has been as arson-worthy as they appear at first glance, though both also fall short of qualifying as late-inning assets.

For the purposes of the “Closer Report” (which will be a weekly feature), we’ll place the relief aces in one of three categories: Death Grip (these guys have no chance of relinquishing the closer’s role; think Mo Rivera), In Control (a good chance of continuing to rack up the saves) and Watch Your Back (the set-up man is planning a coup d’etat as we speak).

Death Grip

Mariano Rivera, Yankees

Mo coughed up his first runs and blown save on the 24th against the Red Sox, the last time he pitched. His FIP is 2.11 for the year, however, and he has yet to give up a walk in 8.1 innings. Nothing to worry about here; it’s a testament to Rivera’s greatness that we’re legitimately surprised any time someone scores on him.

Jonathan Papelbon, Red Sox

Papelbon hasn’t quite been himself this April, with five free passes and a 4.79 FIP thus far (he walked 8 batters all of last year, in 69.1 IP). Cause for concern? Probably not: there aren’t any appreciable differences in his Pitch F/X data.

Kerry Wood, Indians

The Red Sox got good wood off Kerry on the 27th, touching him up for three runs. Cleveland’s new stopper has had little problem missing bats (14 K’s in 8 IP), but he’s given up 6 runs and a pair of homers on the year.

Joakim Soria, Royals

Joakim has been sidelined with shoulder stiffness, driving Royals fans to drink at the prospect of Kyle Farnsworth in the late innings. Need a “Mexicutioner” fix while awaiting Soria’s return? Check out Harry Pavlidis’ interesting two–part series on the positives and negatives of making KC’s closer a member of the starting rotation.

Bobby Jenks, White Sox

Jenks is four out of four in save ops, with 3 runs allowed in seven frames. Opposing batters are zealously attacking Jenks’ offerings over the plate, swinging at 84.1% of his pitches thrown within the strike zone (65.4% MLB average).

Joe Nathan, Twins

Nathan blew his first save of the season last night against the Rays, allowing a tater to Ben Zobrist. Overall, though, it’s been more of the same for the Twins stopper. He’s gotten ahead of hitters (67.9 first-pitch strike%) and has whiffed 7 batters in 7 innings.

In Control

Brad Ziegler, Athletics

Ziegler’s wacky low-80’s, submarining heater has flummoxed hitters so far (2 runs in 10.1 frames, with a 74.2 GB%). Perhaps trying to stay ahead of the curve, Ziegler has incorporated a low-70’s changeup into his repertoire more often (thrown 15.9% of the time in ’09, compared to 6.3% last year). Considering that Ziegler often loses the zone versus lefties (career .378 OBP), it can’t hurt.

Brandon Morrow, Mariners

Morrow has dealt with a stiff shoulder recently, and last appeared in a ballgame back on the 23rd against the Rays. David Aardsma has so far walked the tight rope well (2 runs in 8.2 IP, despite 6 walks), but Morrow has little to worry about if he’s physically sound.

Brian Fuentes, Angels

Fuentes is 4-for-5 in save chances, but he’s been roughed up for 5 runs in seven frames, with his fastball down about two ticks from 2008.

Frank Francisco, Rangers

Francisco has owned hitters this April. A perfect 6-for-6 in save chances, Francisco has yet to surrender a run with his low-90’s gas, curve and splitter. He leads all relievers with a 1.53 WPA. While control has been an issue in the past, Francisco has given up just 1 walk in 10.2 IP while posting a first-pitch strike% of 64.1%.

Scott Downs, Blue Jays

We profiled B.J. Ryan’s replacement last week, and Downs has kept the ball rolling. With 14 K’s, zero walks and a 69.6 GB% in 10.2 frames, the southpaw has a sparkling 0.84 FIP.

Watch Your Back

George Sherrill, Orioles

Sherrill blew a save against the Rangers on the 24th (2 R and two walks allowed), and he’s given up 5 runs in 8.2 IP so far.

Troy Percival, Rays

Percy has pitched just 5.1 frames on the year, with three K’s and walks apiece. His fastball velocity has dipped into the high-80’s (89.8 MPH), compared to last year’s mark of 91.4 MPH. Quite the change for a closer most remember for his radar-gun breaking cheese as a member of the Angels.

Fernando Rodney, Tigers

Rodney has been beaten for five runs in 8 innings. He hasn’t blown a save yet and has actually thrown strikes for a change (1 walk), but his job security remains between slim and none.

For the purposes of the “Closer Report” (which will be a weekly feature), we’ll place the relief aces in one of three categories: Death Grip (these guys have no chance of relinquishing the closer’s role; think Mo Rivera), In Control (a good chance of continuing to rack up the saves) and Watch Your Back (the set-up man is planning a coup d’etat as we speak).

Death Grip

Brad Lidge, Phillies

Last year’s Win Probability Added leader has gotten his 2009 campaign off to an inauspicious start, with a -0.40 WPA in 8.2 innings to date. Dealing with pain in his right knee (surgically repaired prior to that stellar ’08 season), Lidge could he headed to the DL. He has often gotten behind in the count, tossing a first-pitch strike just 46.5% of the time (57.6% MLB average). He hasn’t appeared in a game since April 25th.

Francisco Rodriguez, Mets

Rodriguez surrendered his first two runs of the year against the Nationals on April 24th, but still picked up a save (he’s four-for-four on the year). Fun Pitch F/X-related tidbit: you could conduct a road sobriety test on the path that K-Rod’s fastball takes. The four-seamer breaks just two inches in on the hands of right-handed batters, compared to the average of 6 inches for righty pitchers.

Jonathan Broxton, Dodgers

Broxton blew his first save of the year last night, walking Travis Ishikawa to load the bases and then issuing another free pass to Rich Aurilia to force in a run. Big John ended up getting the W after Bob Howry gave up a pair of runs. Broxton’s control hiccup is of little concern: he has a 5.33 K/BB ratio on the year, and he ranks 5th among relievers in WPA.

Matt Capps, Pirates

Capps hasn’t seen game action since the 24th, when he took the loss against the Padres after uncharacteristically issuing two walks. Not that it’s a huge concern, but Capps has three walks on the year. To put that into context, he gave up just five in 53.2 frames in 2008.

Heath Bell, Padres

We fretted a little bit during the winter about Bell’s strenuous workload over the 2007-2008 seasons, but Heath has been none the worse for wear in 2009. A perfect 8-for-8 in save ops, Bell has yet to give up a run. Opposing batters are swinging at many of Bell’s offerings thrown out of the strike zone (31.5 Outside Swing%) and are making contact with those pitches off the plate (73.9 Outside-Contact%; the MLB average is 62.2%), a recipe for success.

Chad Qualls, Diamondbacks

Qualls has been his typically outstanding self, punching out 12 batters in 8 innings while giving up just one walk. Batters normally beat Qualls’ sinker/slider combo into the ground, but his rate of worm-killers thus far (72.2 GB%) is well above his already-lofty 58.5% career average. His sinker (thrown with 3 inches of vertical movement in 2008) has been even more of a bowling ball in 2009, with just 1.7 inches of vertical movement.

In Control

Francisco Cordero, Reds

Cordero blew his first save on the 27th versus the Astros, walking two and giving up three runs. Cincy’s closer has simply been trying to blow hitters away with his 95 MPH heater, throwing the pitch 73.7% of the time (52% in 2008). As usual, Cordero looks untouchable some outings, while nearly causing Dusty Baker to swallow his tooth pick on the nights where his control disappears.

Jose Valverde, Astros

Valverde suffered a setback, pulling his calf again while attempting to field a ground ball hit back to him (this after an Orlando Hudson come-backer earlier in the week). The Astros placed Valverde on the DL. LaTroy Hawkins will likely get the save opportunities until Jose returns.

Brian Wilson, Giants

The mohawked moundsman had a rough outing on the 26th versus the limping D-Backs (3 runs and a blown save), but on the whole, he’s been productive on the season (2.98 FIP). For whatever reason, opponents just plain are not swinging at whatever pitches that Wilson throws out of the strike zone: his Outside-Swing% against is just 10.6% in 2009, compared to the 24.3% MLB average. Hitters swung at Wilson’s outside offerings at a league average rate in 2007, but did so just 17.1% of the time in 2008 before chopping down that figure in ’09.

Trevor Hoffman, Brewers

Hoffman turned in a scoreless inning on the 27th, then converted his first save opportunity as a Brewer the following night. “Hell’s Bells” will be challenged by the less hospitable environs of Miller Park.

Watch Your Back

Matt Lindstrom, Marlins

On April 24th, Lindstrom endured a drubbing that his ERA won’t soon forget: he surrendered a whopping 7 earned runs in 0.2 IP. Just take a look at the Win Probability graph for the game- there’s a Wile E. Coyote-style cliff dive in the late innings:

Nationals’ Closer Consortium

Joel Hanrahan’s total lack of strike-zone control (5 walks and a Boeing-level 7.39 FIP) finally cost him the ninth-inning gig, as the Nats will now go with the dreaded “Closer by Committee.” Kip Wells (no, really) and Julian Tavarez are candidates, as are pretty much any other members of the ‘pen. Joe Beimel could be the guy once he returns from the DL, though you’ll want to consider that Beimel’s shiny 2.02 ERA last season came with the benefit of an insane 0.0 HR/FB%. Beimel hasn’t surrendered a big fly since 2007 (and he gave up only 1 that year). Can he possibly keep this up?

Mike Gonzalez, Braves

Gonzo has rebounded since a rocky beginning to the season, with four scoreless appearances in a row, 8 K’s and 1 walk. The lefty has whiffed 16 batters in 8.1 frames, and his 66% contact rate ranks highly among relievers. Now if only he could catch the plate with a little more regularity..

Kevin Gregg, Cubs

Gregg has located just 43.8% of his pitches within the strike zone (49.1% MLB average), which helps explain the five free passes issued in 8 innings. His FIP for the year is 6.06.

Ryan Franklin, Cardinals

Toting a goatee that would make ZZ Top proud, Franklin has converted all 6 save chances, while striking out 9 batters in 9 innings and surrendering nary a run. We remain skeptical, but Franklin has done his job so far.

Manny Corpas, Rockies

Corpas has been scored on in 3 of his past 4 appearances, suffering 2 losses along the way. The near .400 BABIP won’t continue, but Corpas isn’t fooling much of anyone, with a contact rate in the mid-80’s.

Compared to the rest of the three-game series, the match-up on Sunday between the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees was fairly unassuming. There were not 27 runs scored collectively and the game did not end in walk-off fashion in extra innings. However, two key players for both organizations’ futures squared off against one another.

Mark Melancon was called into the game for the Yankees in the seventh inning of the game, which was eventually won 4-1 by Boston. The right-handed reliever, making his MLB debut, worked two scoreless innings and allowed just one hit and one walk. He also struck out one batter and hit outfielder Jason Bay with a pitch. Melancon, 24, was originally drafted out of the University of Arizona in the ninth round of the 2006 draft, although he could have been a first-round pick if not for an elbow strain that later required Tommy John surgery. Melancon struggled a bit with his control in his debut (12 of 22 pitches were strikes) but he showed excellent velocity and life on his fastball.

From the other dugout, minor league starter Michael Bowden emerged and also pitched the seventh and eighth innings. He had been recalled from Triple-A before the game to give the relievers some much-needed relief. The right-hander did not allow a run, a walk or a hit over two innings. He stuck out two. Only 22, Bowden was able to mix his plus curveball and fastball very effectively to dominate some very good hitters. In most organizations, he would already be in the starting rotation. In Boston, though, the pitching depth affords him the luxury of polishing his repertoire and approach at the Triple-A level, while also providing valuable insurance for situations like that which occurred on Sunday. Bowden was a supplemental first round selection out of an Illinois high school during the 2005 draft.

Bowden was sent back down to Triple-A after the game on Sunday, making room for veteran shortstop Julio Lugo, who came off the disabled list. Melancon will remain with the Yankees for now, with veteran reliever Brian Bruney on the disabled list. Neither player will likely have a huge impact on their respective clubs in 2009, but both are good bets moving forward for 2010 and beyond: Bowden with the ceiling of a No. 2 or 3 starter and Melancon with closer potential.

Blue Jays lefty B.J. Ryan has gotten his 2009 season off to just about the worst start imaginable. The 33 year-old is doing a pretty good Kyle Farnsworth imitation, with 5 walks, 2 homers and seven runs surrendered in 5.2 innings pitched. Once a power pitcher, Ryan is having trouble cracking 88 MPH with his heater, and his mid-80’s slider has devolved into a low-80’s frisbee.

Not-so-coincidentally, word now comes that Ryan will hit the DL with tightness in his upper back and shoulder (this after Ryan’s elbow went snap, crackle, and pop during the 2007 season).

While Ryan is a well-coffered closer (having inked a 5-year, $47 million pact prior to the 2006 season), his replacement (fellow southpaw Scott Downs) comes with considerably less fanfare.

By the time most players enter their late twenties/early thirties, they are in the latter portion of their peak seasons or have already experienced their career climax. In Downs’ case, his peak to that point had been akin to that of a Kiddy Coaster. At 29, Downs was a vagabond who had been drafted by the Cubs in 1997, traded to the Twins in ’98, pinballed back to Chicago in ’99, only to be dumped in Montreal in 2000 for Rondell White. Cut loose by the now-Nationals in 2004, Downs was a thoroughly forgettable starter with a career 5.30 ERA.

Scooped up by the Blue Jays prior to the 2005 campaign, Downs split his time evenly between the rotation and the ‘pen (26 games, 13 starts) with a 4.33 FIP and a healthy number of grounders (52.6 GB%). His ’06 season (spent almost fully in relief) was a near carbon copy, again with a 4.33 FIP, 7.13 K/9, 3.51 BB/9 and even more carpet-burners (55.6 GB%).

Since then, Downs has taken the groundball act to extremes, cutting his home run rate significantly:

2007: 58 IP, 8.84 K/9, 3.72 BB/9, 0.47 HR/9, 59.9 GB%, 3.24 FIP
2008: 70.2 IP, 7.26 K/9, 3.44 BB/9, 0.38 HR/9 65.6 GB%, 3.39 FIP

Utilizing a bowling ball high-80’s sinker that features an incredible amount of tailing action (his fastball moves in on the hands of lefties by over 10 inches; the average for a southpaw is about 6.5 inches) and supplementing the heavy heater with a sweeping mid-70’s curve, Downs has continued the ground assault in 2009. In 9.2 innings, he has punched out 14 batters, while walking none, surrendering 1 run and generating grounders at a 73.7% clip.

Downs doesn’t have the sharpest control, but the second act of his career as a groundballing lefty with enough stuff to fool big league hitters has been fun to watch. The 33 year-old is about to go on the loop-de-loop ride that is major league closerdom. If you can snag Downs, you might want to grab a seat as well.

For the purposes of the “Closer Report” (which will be a weekly feature), we’ll place the relief aces in one of three categories: Death Grip (these guys have no chance of relinquishing the closer’s role; think Mo Rivera), In Control (a good chance of continuing to rack up the saves) and Watch Your Back (the set-up man is planning a coup d’etat as we speak).

Death Grip

Brad Lidge, Phillies: Eric Gagne (wherever he’s rehabbing these days) can breathe a sigh of relief, as Lidge didn’t last near long enough to challenge the goggled wonder’s record of 84 consecutive saves. Regression to the mean is a fickle mistress, and Lidge has already given up 3 taters on the young season (2 all of last year). No pitcher can sustain a 3.9 HR/FB ratio for very long, as “Lights Out” did last season.

Francisco Rodriguez, Mets: K Rod has found his new digs to his liking, striking out nine batters in 5.2 IP. 3 for-3 in save ops without allowing a run, Rodriguez has also seen his fastball velocity (subject of much debate this offseason) bounce back up to 92.8 MPH (91.9 MPH in ’08).

Jonathan Broxton, Dodgers: Broxton has punched out 11 hitters in 6.2 frames, without walking a batter. He’s four-for-four in save chances, and opponents are making contact against him just 65.1% of the time (80.4% major league average). His approach hasn’t been groundbreaking: Broxton has reared back and fired a searing 97.6 MPH heater on nearly 90% of his pitches. It’s just that no one can hit the darned thing.

Matt Capps, Pirates: The Mad Capper is 5-for-5 in save ops thus far, showcasing his typically stellar control. He has yet to issue a free pass, and has thrown a first-pitch strike 75% of the time.

Heath Bell, Padres: The leader in the closer clubhouse with 0.90 WPA, Bell has converted 7 saves for the Padres in the early going.

In Control

Matt Lindstrom, Marlins: After suffering a shoulder injury during the spring, Lindstrom hasn’t quite been his usual self, throwing his fastball 95 MPH instead of 97 while cutting his slider usage in half. Looking at his Pitch F/X data, Lindstrom’s heater has the same amount of horizontal movement (or lack thereof), tailing in 3.1 inches to righthanded batters (3.2 in 2008; the average for a righty is about 6 inches), while he has slightly less vertical movement as well (8.1 inches, compared to 8.8 in 2008).

Francisco Cordero, Reds: Cordero has racked up 6 saves already, punching out 6 batters while doing his usual tight rope act (4 walks).

Jose Valverde, Astros: Valverde has a bruised ankle and a tight calf after Orlando Hudson hit one back up the middle that smacked the bespectacled, emotional reliever Tuesday night (he should be just fine). Valverde has surrendered 3 runs in 6 innings so far.

Chad Qualls, Diamondbacks: Qualls has four saves in five chances, as his low-90’s heat/high-80’s slider mix has generated plenty of worm-burners (66.7 GB%).

Brian Wilson, Giants: [insert obligatory Beach Boys reference here]. Wilson has whiffed 8 batters in 6.2 innings, surrendering one run. His fastball has had even more hop thus far, coming in at 96.9 MPH (95.8 MPH last year).

Trevor Hoffman, Brewers: He might not be back just yet, but we might as well toss Hoffman back into the closer’s ring. The big question for the all-time saves leader is: can he limit the long ball damage, now that he doesn’t call cavernous PETCO Park home?

Watch Your Back

Joel Hanrahan, Nationals: Joel has gotten jacked up so far, with 5 runs surrendered and two blown saves in 7 IP. His first-pitch strike percentage is a gruesome 38.2%, third-worst among all relievers.

Mike Gonzalez, Braves: Gonzalez has missed plenty of bats (11 K in 6.1 IP), but he’s also allowed 3 free passes and 4 runs on his watch. Gonzo relies heavily upon a low-80’s slider (thrown 45.9% of the time in 2009) than can be a wicked offering, but his control of the pitch is scattershot.

Kevin Gregg, Cubs: Gregg is winning over few people in Wrigleyville so far, with 5 runs allowed in 7 frames. His FIP stands at 6.52, while Carlos Marmol checks in at 3.64.

Ryan Franklin, Cardinals: Franklin is apparently the guy in St. Louis for now, and he has done a nice job with 4 saves, 6 K’s and one walk in 7 innings. Still, this is Ryan Franklin, he of 4.87 career strikeouts per nine innings.

Manny Corpas, Rockies: Our first usurping! Corpas led a peaceful transfer of power from Huston Street, who was knocked down the totem pole to middle-man status for the time being. Corpas is a useful reliever, though calling him a shutdown ‘pen arm would be exceedingly kind. His career FIP is 3.79, and his K rate is 6.33 per nine innings.