Ladies and gentlemen, your closer for the Braves... hey, didn't we do this last week?

Another week, another closer in Atlanta – I do not even need to wait until the “Last Week Revisited” section that we do at the end of these columns to tell you how Peter Moylan is working out, as we have his replacement to show this week. This week then, we move on to the next option for saves there, Braves Closer V. 3.0. Who is option number three, and why should we care? Should we even care?

Over on the junior circuit, we have a pitcher in Tampa with a career ERA over 6.00 suddenly pitching quite well in the Rays’ rotation. Is it time to be a believer?

Manny Acosta, Closer, Atlanta Braves

It has been a long and winding road to the majors for Acosta, who made it to the majors, finally, last year, after having signed way back in 2000 as a 19-year-old with the Yankees. For someone that has spent eight years in the minors, one would imagine that he would have bounced around, but he actually spent the entire time with just two systems, the Yankees and then, obviously, the Braves.

While Acosta was with the Yankees, the Bronx Bombers had envisioned him as a future closer; however, he would never make it past High-A with them and he would never finish a full season as a starter with an ERA below 6.00. Clearly, that was not going to be his path to the majors. If there ever was to be a path, that is, which the Yankees were not sold on.

That lack of confidence in Acosta would lead to the Yankees releasing him on July 24, 2003. His lack of employment would not last long, however, as the Braves signed him five days later. Unlike the Yankees, the Braves saw a reliever in Acosta not a starter and, with the exception of two starts in rookie ball in 2005, Acosta would not start again.

His earned run averages in the minors would improve significantly, at 3.06 overall from 2005 through 2007, but his control numbers were still a serious issue, with 91 walks to his 130 strikeouts. His control numbers in the majors have been an issue as well, with a K/BB ratio of 22:14 last year and 5:4 this year. In addition to difficulties with his control numbers, he also has been surrendering the long ball this year, with two home runs allowed already in six appearances.

Acosta was not the Braves’ first choice for closer, nor was he their second choice. One has to wonder how long he will remain as their third choice. Also currently in the bullpen is Royce Ring, who had once been the closer-of-the-future while he was in the White Sox system. Ring has never been dominating at the major league level, but he has far more major league experience than Acosta, better control than Acosta, and is likely a safer bet. Acosta will close for now, but his mediocrity and the presence of Ring lead me to believe he will not close for long.

Jason Hammel, Starting Pitcher, Tampa Bay Rays

A tenth-round pick by the then-Devil Rays back in 2002, Hammel would, unlike most young arms in the system, not be rushed to the majors, instead not making his debut until 2006. Even then, though, it was clear that Hammel was not quite ready, as he was 0-6 with a 7.77 ERA and 32:21 K/BB ratio in 44 innings over nine starts. By comparison, in Triple-A Hammel had gone 5-9 with a 4.23 ERA and K/BB ratio of 117:36 over 127 2/3 innings. Those, unlike his major league numbers, are ones to be excited about.

Similar would happen in 2007, as he dominated in Triple-A while struggling again in the majors. In 13 starts for the Durham Bulls, Hammel was 4-5 with a 3.42 ERA, recording 75 strikeouts and walking only 28 in 76 1/3 innings. However, with the big league club, Hammel’s control eluded him, as he was 3-5 with a 6.14 ERA. In 85 major league innings, Hammel struck out 64 while walking 40. Again, it was quite clear that Hammel was not ready.

Now 25 and clearly entrenched in the Rays’ rotation, Hammel finally looks ready. In his first outing, the Yankees got to Hammel more than one might like, as he allowed eight hits, one walk, and four earned runs in six innings, but he has settled down quite nicely since then. In his start in Baltimore, Hammel held the Orioles to five hits, one walk, and two earned runs in seven innings, and he struck out six. In his most recent outing, at home against the Twins, Hammel allowed six hits, two walks, and three earned runs while striking out five.

Hammel’s control numbers so far are excellent and in line with what he did in the minors. Finally, he is ready, he will stick, and he will succeed.

Last Week Revisited

Well, as we said in the beginning, Peter Moylan is already out of the picture, as he has gone on the disabled list, and he is likely to be out longer than the closer he had been replacing, Rafael Soriano. Oops – our bad.

As for Jed Lowrie, the Red Sox have used him sparingly thus far, with only two appearances, four at-bats, with one hit and three RBI. Lowrie is a long-term project for the Red Sox, but his short-term value is nominal.

That wraps up Treasure Hunting for this week – next week, we look at two more buried treasures, and we have no guarantees that one will not be another closer from Atlanta.