Colorado Rockies: Who would be next in line for the closer's role?

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 24: Pitcher Jake McGee #51 of the Colorado Rockies is congratulated by catcher Tony Wolters #14 after getting the final out and defeating the Philadelphia Phillies 7-2 during a game at Citizens Bank Park on May 24, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

Yesterday, our colleagues over at Cubbies Crib posted this article about who, for the Cubs, would be next in line to be their closer after Brandon Morrow. So, we decided to roll with the idea as well.

Wade Davis is well cemented into the role of the closer for the Colorado Rockies. However, if he were to need a day of rest or happened to be injured, who might Bud Black turn to slam the door?

Jake McGee

Of all of the choices that we will feature, he has the most experience in the closer’s role. In his career, he has 44 career saves. He had three of those saves last season for the Rockies and he had double digit save numbers in 2014, for the Tampa Bay Rays, and in 2016, for the Rockies.

If you look at his career numbers, he is only 67.7 percent successful in his save attempts but in the two seasons in which he had double digit saves, his success rate was 79 percent or higher. Also, for example, last season he was 3-for-6 in save opportunities but that doesn’t tell the whole story. In the ninth inning of games last year, he pitched in 16 games with an ERA of 2.45 and an opponent batting average of .226 and an on-base percentage of .263.

However, he did not do as well in the role in 2016 (4.44 ERA, .292/.353/.491 opponent slash line).

Antonio Senzatela

This pick is one that is a bit out of the box but hear me out. Senzatela is currently in limbo between being in Triple-A Albuquerque and the major leagues and in limbo in between being a starter and a reliever.

With the stuff that he possesses (a fastball that averaged 95 miles per hour and a slider with good horizontal and vertical movement), he could be somebody that could be a closer.

He has not shown the strikeout rate that you usually see in a closer (he has averaged 6.6 strikeouts per nine innings in his pro career). However, when he pitched in relief with the Rockies last season, he struck out 23 batters in 23 2/3 innings (or 8.7 per nine innings).

In addition, in the relief role last season, he had a 3.04 ERA and an opponent batting average of .157 as a reliever, so he pitched really well in the relief role.

Obviously, closing is different than just coming out of the bullpen but Senzatela could be an option that Rockies manager could use as a closer out of the bullpen.

We don’t even know if he will make the Rockies out of spring training but, if he does, he would almost assuredly be in the bullpen. If he is, he could get an opportunity or two in the near future.

Chris Rusin

The past two seasons, Chris Rusin has proven to be one of the Rockies best relievers. In fact, our own Mike Macesich made the case in late January that he actually is the Rockies best reliever.

Particularly last season, though, he pitched in 60 games and he had an ERA of 2.65. He pitched in 85 innings and only allowed two walks per nine innings and he struck out 7.5 per nine.

He had two saves last season so he performed the task of closing for Bud Black occasionally. One of the saves was even a three inning save (on May 6 against Arizona). In the ninth inning in general in 2017, Rusin had an ERA of 1.50 in eight games.

This season, he will be used in the same role as he was last season, in long relief, since he was so successful at it. However, as he was last year as well, don’t be surprised if he gets a save or two out of the bullpen.

Final Thoughts

There are a few other guys who could potentially be a closer but I have a few issues with them. Bryan Shaw is an excellent reliever but, as Cleveland Indians fans saw a lot in 2017, he numbers get worse the later in the game he is in (he had an ERA of 7.00 and an opponent batting average of .368 in the ninth inning in 2017). He should be used, almost exclusively, as a set-up man.

The other is Adam Ottavino. He closed some in 2015 and 2016 but he did not have any saves in 2017. I would be apprehensive of putting him in a save situation until he shows that he has regained his control. Last year, he walked 6.6 batters per nine innings so you can’t be allowing that many base runners on in a close game late.

Next: Who is the X-Factor in the bullpen?

If he can show that he has regained his control, you can add him to the list of potential closers as well.

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Colorado Rockies: Who would be next in line for the closer’s role?

Yesterday, our colleagues over at Cubbies Crib posted this article about who, for the Cubs, would be next in line to be their closer after Brandon Morrow. So, we decided to roll with the idea as well.

Jake McGee

Antonio Senzatela

More from Rox Pile

Chris Rusin

Final Thoughts

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