Closing Notes

We’ve had a number of young up-and-coming closers arrive on the scene in the past few years. Some we expected, and some we didn’t. At this point in the season, I think we can safely anoint one of those young guys as the new “best” closer in baseball. In case people have missed him, which is easy enough because he pitches in the deepest parts of the Northwest, JJ Putz of the Seattle Mariners is definitely the cream of the crop right now. Not that this should come as a surprise, since he has actually been a dominating pitcher for some years, but his numbers are absolutely filthy at this point in 2007. In the month of June alone, after giving up an earned run on June 2 (but still saving the game), he hasn’t given up an earned run since while only allowing five hits and giving up two walks in 13.1 innings. If that doesn’t convince you, take into consideration that he his just getting better as the season progresses. In April, he struck out eight batters in 11 innings. In May, he struck out 14 batters in 11.2 innings. In June, he has already struck out a whopping 18 batters in 13.2 innings pitched. Scary to think that he needed the first two months to warm up. Any pitcher trending upwards for three straight months is noteworthy, but having those numbers is simply insane to this point. Oh, and he is perfect in save opportunities to this point, 22 for 22. He is definitely the can’t-miss-kid at this point.

A special congratulations to Todd Jones of Detroit for jumping two spots to become the closer in the major leagues with the WORST ERA. We all know how hard you have been working to achieve this Mr. Jones, and it has certainly taken some effort to become this lousy. Is anyone else out there wondering why a team that has some of the most electric arms in baseball continues to allow the human sieve to continue to close games for them. His WHIP is horrendous; he cannot strike people out; and he has already blown four saves to this point. For a team in a tough race with the Cleveland Indians, you have to wonder what Leyland is thinking at this point.

After having a terrific month of May that included a 0.73 ERA for the month, Colorado closer Brian Fuentes seems to have hit a wall at the end of June. Fuentes has given up eight earned runs in his last four outings, which includes four straight losses and blown save opportunities obviously. He didn’t give up an earned run in one of the outings, but even that is deceiving because he still gave up the winning runs to lose the game. After giving up only six hits in nine outings before the last four appearances, he has given up 11 hits over his last 2.1 innings. In many instances, you would be prone to say that this isn’t much of a concern…just a blip of sorts. Yet, when you consider the struggles that Derrick Turnbow, Jose Valverde, and Francisco Cordero encountered in the past couple of years before regaining their forms, it is wise to keep a close eye on him for the next couple of weeks. This kind of horrific pitching is quite often the harbinger of a hidden injury or severe loss of confidence and/or control. Buyers beware!

Overall Closing Statistical Leaders

Saves

Rank	Player	Total
1.	Francisco Cordero	27
2.	Jose Valverde	25
3.	Francisco Rodriguez	23
4.	Joe Borowski	22
4.	JJ Putz	22
4.	Takashi Saito	22

Most Blown Saves

Strikeouts

ERA

Worst ERA

Rising/Falling

Rising