The N.L. Closer Report: April 14th

Let’s take a look at the early season performances of the bullpen rock stars, the closers. For the purposes of this “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: “Lights Out” remains perfect in save situations, though he’s surrendered 3 runs and two bombs in five innings. Lidge was due for some regression in the tater department: his HR/FB% was just 3.9 in 2008. Odds are, he’ll post a FIP in the low-three’s as a few more homers leave the park and will be labeled a “disappointment” despite little change in his actual skill level.

Francisco Rodriguez, Mets:

Jerry Manuel, forward thinker:

“We have, as an industry, somewhat boxed ourselves into making people believe that, ‘If it’s not that [save] situation, I don’t do well,'” Manuel said. “But the game is still on the line. That’s the bottom line. And that’s what we — especially as the team we are in New York — we have to understand that. It’s about the win, and not the statistic.” (Mets.com, via Rotoworld)

Jonathan Broxton, Dodgers: Big John is 3-for-3 to start the season, with 5 punchouts and no walks in 4 frames. His upper-90’s cheddar and nasty slider give him the equipment to dominate.

Matt Capps, Pirates: Capps (apparently healthy after a shoulder injury in 2008) is an odd duck as a late-inning reliever: he throws hard and relies heavily on his heat, but he gets the job done more with location (career 1.36 BB/9) than sheer force (6.7 K/9). Capps has converted both save opportunities thus far.

Heath Bell, Padres: The Padres do as good a job as anyone in procuring cheap, effective bullpen help, and they continue to go that route. Take a look at the current relief corps: literally everyone outside of Bell, Cla Meredith (both also acquired in lower-level trades) and Edwin Moreno was not in the organization as of a couple months ago. So far, so good for Heath: he’s racked up four saves in four chances.

In Control

Mike Gonzalez, Braves: Gonzo’s beginning his first full year back from Tommy John surgery, and is 1-for-2 in save ops thus far.

Matt Lindstrom, Marlins: He’s working his way back from a strained right rotator cuff, and is also one for two in picking up the save. Lindstrom doesn’t miss as many bats as you’d think he would, given the upper-90’s velocity (career 7.62 K/9).

Kevin Gregg, Cubs: Gregg clearly plays second-fiddle to Carlos Marmol in talent level, but the erstwhile Marlin will rack up the glory stat for one of the National League’s strongest clubs. He’s off to a turbulent start (6/5 K/BB in 4 IP).

Francisco Cordero, Reds: After a macabre spring, Cincy’s good-but-overcompensated stopper has pitched three scoreless frames, with 4 K’s and no walks.

Jose Valverde, Astros: Valverde has yet to get a save op, as the Houston Astros trot out a “you mean he’s still around?”-quality back of the rotation.

Chad Qualls, Diamondbacks: With little fanfare, Qualls posted a 3.02 Expected Fielding Independent ERA (based on a pitcher’s K’s, walks and a normalized HR/FB rate to root out good or bad luck on flyballs) in 2008. That bested Valverde (3.49), the man for whom he was traded prior to the ’08 season, by nearly half a run.

Brian Wilson, Giants: Wilson is a high-octane hurler, punching out 9.67 batters per nine innings in 2008 while also generating grounders at a 51.7% clip. Can his control take a step forward? Stay tuned.

Watch Your Back

Joel Hanrahan, Nationals: Joel hasn’t had a save chance yet, what with the Nats laying the groundwork for a quick fall into irrelevance in 2009. He’s whiffed over 9 batters per nine innings in his career, but Hanrahan’s helter-skelter control (5.31 BB/9) will have Manny Acta and fantasy owners reaching for the Tums on a regular basis.

Carlos Villanueva, Brewers: Villanueva is simply keeping the seat warm for Trevor Hoffman (oblique injury). “Hell’s Bells” will soon blare at Miller Park, but the extreme flyball act might not work as well outside of Petco.

Jason Motte/Ryan Franklin/Kyle McClellan/Denys Reyes, Cardinals: Motte got off on the wrong foot opening day, surrendering the lead to the Pirates and apparently losing the confidence of Tony La Russa. Motte still looks like the best man for the job, but it’s anyone’s guess as to who enters the next time the Cards have a lead in the late innings.

Huston Street, Rockies: Street has given up 6 hits and 3 runs in 2.2 innings so far. Manny Corpas (and possibly Taylor Buchholz when he returns from an elbow injury) could continue to remain in the picture.