The A.L. Closer Report: 4/29

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.