The Closer Report: April 23, 2010

CLOSER NEWS:

SAVES:

Brian Wilson (3) Wilson finally recorded a save.  It was his first save since April 6, and he went out there with a vengeance.  Besides a simple single, Wilson struck out the side for his third save of the season.  His ERA remains at 0.00.

Jonathan Papelbon (4) - Paps had another tough outing.  He did get the save, but in the process looked wild walking two batters and giving up a hit.  To put a positive spin on the save, he did intentionally walk Wiggington and he struck out Lugo to end the game.  That is how expereinced closers do it.

Francisco Rodriguez (2) - Recorded his second save in as many days.  He is still lacking his trademark sharpness that we haven't sen in awhile.  He needed 22 pitches to close he game and gave up a hit and a walk, while striking out two. His WHIP rose to 1.27, but his ERA lowered to an impressive 1.04.

Kevin Gregg (5) - Gregg was needed for 1.1 innings, but got a clean save. He looked great giving up a hit and striking out two.

Matt Lindstrom (5) - Another 12 pitch save for Lindstrom.  No hits and a strikeout.  Lindstrom has clearly found his closer niche.

Briean Fuentes (2) - Fuentes was back in the closer role and frankly it was a shocker.  When I saw Fernando Rodney coming into the eighth inning I was thinking someone got screwed.  I did assume that since the Yankee lineup is loaded with lefties and switch hitters that maybe Scioscia went with his lefty.  Thames did pitch hit for Johnson and Fuentes turned Teixeira around.  Will see what he does next.

Chad Qualls (3) - Qualls had a hefty three run lead to work with and he didn't even need it.  Why?  He only needed one out.  It was 7-3 going into the ninth and after Heilman gave up a run, Qualls entered the game with two outs and a runner on second.  He dispatched of Polanco on five pitches.


BLOWN SAVES:

Neftali Feliz (1-0 BS1) - Feliz got rocked tonight and badly.  Well, maybe not that badly, but he gave up three hits, including a wacky shallow double to Johnny Damon.  He couldn't close the deal on Magglio Ordonez who with two outs got the big hit to tie the game at 4-4 and blow the game for Feliz.  He did manage to get the win, so it wasn't all bad.

APPEARANCES:

Carlos Marmol - Pitched 1.1 innings for some odd reason in a blowout.  Still, he struck out three out of the four batters he retured.

Jim Johnson - Gave up a hit in 1/3 of an inning against the Red Sox.

Rafeal Soriano - Got some work in against the Blue Jays.  Struck out two in an inning of work. His WHIP has gone down to 1.14 and his ERA is loking much better at 2.57.

2010 Closer Profile: Rafael Soriano, Tampa Bay Rays

By Todd Farino, www.thecloserreport.com

Team: Tampa Bay Rays

Projections: 46-4-3.21-1.02-115 (SV-WIN-ERA-WHIP-K)

Average Draft Position: 155th pick 

Recommended Draft Round: 8

Team Saves Projection: 60

Injury Risk/Stability: 8/8

Top 50 Rank: #4

Check out the entire draft kit by clicking here

The Braves parted ways with Soriano in an off-season trade to the Rays and I think it was a huge mistake. For a few years now Soriano has been on the radar as a future stud closer and last year he took the next step towards that role. He recorded 27 saves and a 2.97 ERA, while striking out 102 in 75.2 innings.
Soriano has one of the best K/9 rates among closers and he has been added to a team that will see plenty of save opportunities and has a manager that won't be afraid to use him as often as needed. For owners, Soriano's only question mark is his consistency. He is still developing and his consistency should thrive and develop in 2010.

As far as his new team goes, the Rays will be in allot of tight games and have a knack for comebacks. That will bode well for their new closer, who should see plenty of action and over power aggressive American League hitters. There are only a handful of closer who will get more than 100 strikeouts in a season or get 40+ saves. Mark down Soriano for both of them.

The True Guru Draft Strategy: Right now Soriano is being drafted in the late 13th round. That should change as we get near the end of spring training. He's obviously a steal at that point, but drafting him as early as the eighth round is a smart and effective move. Let the draft dictate where you take Soriano.

Is Percival Gone?

There is a rumor all over the Tampa Bay Rays message boards that Troy Percival is not on the flight to Miami for tonight's game. Percival has been placed on the DL and Reid Brignac will be called up. It could be the end of Percival's career because rumor is he really has no significant injury and this is a stall move to make a decision on his future.

Now if this is true who will close for the Rays or who should you pickup for the long haul?

There are four choices that the Rays could go with:

1: Dan Wheeler he is 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA, he did have 13 saves last season though.

2: Grant Balfour he is 1-0 with a 5.14 ERA and only had 4 saves last season.

3: Joe Nelson he is 1-0 with a 5.60 era he had 2 saves last year.

4: Jason Isringhausen he has been active from the DL and has pitched in two games so far. Izzy has yet to give up a run and looks like 2007 Izzy has apposed to 2008 Izzy.

I personally think that it will be Isringhausen who up until last season had averaged over 30 saves a season for four seasons. He was hurt last year and he is now back and will be the closer from now till the end of the year...

The Bay State Scout (bay_state_scout@comcast.net)