Comparing 2014 Dellin Betances vs. 1996 Mariano Rivera

For most people under 20-years-old, it can be difficult to imagine a world where Mariano Rivera is not the closer for the New York Yankees. He officially became the team’s closer in 1997 replacing the previous year’s World Series MVP, John Wetteland, and immediately found success in the role.

Rivera’s 1997 season included going 6-4 with a 1.88 ERA and 43 saves. Surprisingly, even with the incredibly low ERA, Rivera managed to blow 9 saves in his first season as a closer. Since he was still very good at the job, nobody thought about stripping him of his new job.

The 2015 season could have another man making his debut as the closer for the Yankees as they may call upon sophomore Dellin Betances to became the next generation’s Rivera. The Captain Picard to Rivera’s Captain Kirk, Betances could boldly go where he has not gone before.

Overall, Betances’ rookie season in 2014 was a phenomenal one. Betances was 5-0 with a 1.40 ERA in 90 innings pitched. He also had an average of 13.5 strikeouts per 9 innings pitched. Undoubtedly, Betances has the stuff to be a closer. The only thing we are not sure about is if he can handle the pressure.

Pitching in the ninth inning is a lot different than any other. Betances did this rarely in 2014, earning only 1 save and 8 games finished in non-save situations. He worked primarily as a setup man, capable of getting the Yankees through the 7th and/or 8th inning on their way to the former closer David Robertson.

Since Betances could be taking over the position Rivera held for over a decade, it’s worth comparing his season prior to becoming a closer to Rivera’s last before he took on the task. This means looking at the 2014 season for Betances and 1996 season for Rivera.

Rivera’s 1996 season was overwhelmingly underrated. For all he did after, it’s forgotten how dominant he was in relief. Rivera was 8-3 with a 2.09 ERA in 1996. He also struck out 130 batters in 107.2 innings for an average of 10.9 strikeouts per 9 innings. This season was Rivera’s highest strikeout rate.

Something else Rivera was great at in his final pre-closer season was keeping the ball in the park. Rivera only allowed one home run all season long in 1996, coming in the middle of the summer when Rafael Palmeiro took him deep.

Working mostly in the 8th inning, Rivera did still have 5 saves. He was rewarded for his fantastic 1996 season by finishing 3rd in the Cy Young Award voting and 12th in the AL MVP.

The season Betances had in 2014 was vastly different from Rivera’s in 1996. Betances gave up 4 home runs in fewer innings, but allowed fewer walks and more strikeouts per 9. Maybe one of the best representations of the two seasons is Rivera’s 0.99 WHIP compared to Betances who had 0.77 WHIP. Both very good, Betances was far better at directing batters back to the dugout.

Based on everything we see between the two pre-closer seasons, Betances is an even better candidate than Rivera was two decades ago.

The biggest difference between Rivera and Betances might be size. Betances is listed at a rather large 6’8 260 pounds compared to Rivera’s lanky 6’2 195 lbs. Size carries very little weight when it comes to predicting how Betances will do. The skill is there, but is he closer-worthy? From the small sample we have seen, he is.

Betances would be entering as the team’s closer in a completely different era of Yankees’ baseball. Like every box of chocolate Forrest Gump ever opened in his life, we have no idea what we’re going to get.